We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Concussion Screening & Management Clinic at Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy in Brisbane. This service provides comprehensive concussion assessments and rehabilitation guidance, available every Monday for your convenience. Under current sports medicine guidelines, physiotherapists are qualified to screen for and manage concussions in most contact sports.
Led by Bridie Nicholson, a titled sports physiotherapist with elite sports experience, our clinic offers athlete-focused care to ensure a safe return to sport and daily life after head injuries.
Concussion screening involves evaluating an individual’s physical and cognitive function to determine if a concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury) has occurred. A trained health professional (doctor or physiotherapist) conducts tests of memory, concentration, balance, and problem-solving to check brain function. We use proven tools (like the SCAT5/6 and balance assessments) to identify any signs of concussion. If you’re an athlete, it’s ideal to do a baseline concussion test at the start of the season; this provides a pre-injury benchmark.
Concussion management is the follow-up care after a concussion is identified. It includes advising on immediate rest, monitoring symptoms, and planning a graded return to activity. We educate patients on warning signs to watch for and create individualized rehab programs. Addressing aspects like balance, neck function, and gradually increasing exercise tolerance. Our physiotherapy-led management follows the latest evidence and consensus (e.g. “if in doubt, sit them out” and staged return-to-sport guidelines) to promote full recovery. In short, concussion management ensures you recover fully and safely before resuming sport, school, or work.
Physiotherapists play a critical role in concussion care. Recent Australian guidelines (AIS/APA 2024) underscore that physios are often the first point of contact for athletes in community sports, making their role in early concussion detection and rehab indispensable. Our clinic’s approach aligns with these guidelines. Our physiotherapists perform thorough concussion assessments, including neurological exams and balance/vestibular tests, to identify concussions and conduct baseline testing.
Under current protocols, physiotherapists can oversee the entire concussion management process, working in conjunction with medical doctors as needed. That means after the initial diagnosis, a physio can guide the athlete through a step-by-step rehabilitation: helping restore neck mobility, balance, and cognitive function, and implementing a graded return-to-sport framework (GRTS) as recommended nationally. By choosing a physiotherapist for concussion management, you’re ensuring expert oversight of your recovery; from initial injury assessment to the final clearance to play. Of course, we refer to sports physicians or neurologists for complex cases or if further medical evaluation is required, keeping your care team multidisciplinary. The bottom line is that you can confidently turn to a physiotherapist for concussion screening and rehab, knowing it’s supported by sports medicine authorities.
New Service – Weekly Concussion Clinics: Our clinic now offers dedicated concussion screening appointments every Monday. We established this service to give Brisbane athletes and active individuals prompt access to concussion evaluation at the start of the week (ideal after weekend sports fixtures). Early assessment is crucial – if you or your child had a head knock over the weekend, our Monday clinic can provide clarity on whether a concussion occurred and what to do next.
We’ll discuss the incident and any symptoms you’ve noticed (e.g. headache, dizziness, confusion). We use a checklist of common concussion signs and symptoms as recommended by the Concussion in Sport Group (e.g. SCAT6 tool).
Expect questions and simple tests for memory, concentration, and reaction time, as well as balance and coordination exercises. These help gauge any changes in your brain function.
We check your neck (cervical spine) for associated injuries and screen your vision and vestibular system (inner ear balance) for any dysfunction. This holistic approach, which may include a Vestibular-Ocular Motor Screening, is important because concussions often affect balance and vision.
You’ll get a clear explanation of the findings. If a concussion is confirmed (or even suspected), we’ll outline an immediate care plan. This includes guidance on rest (both cognitive and physical rest), and a personalized graded return-to-learn/work and return-to-play plan. We provide a written summary for you to take home, which can be shared with your GP or coach as needed.
After the screening, concussion management is tailored to you. For a simple concussion (no complications), our physio will schedule follow-ups to monitor your recovery and begin light exercises at the right time. For more complex cases, we might involve your GP or refer to a concussion specialist. We also offer baseline testing appointments on Mondays for athletes who haven’t had one yet – these involve doing the same tests in the absence of injury to establish your normal baseline, as noted above. Baseline assessments are highly recommended for anyone in contact sports, since they make post-injury evaluations more accurate
One of the key figures leading our concussion program is Bridie Nicholson (APAM), who heads Concussion Clinic.
✔️ Bridie is an APA Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, a credential awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists recognizing advanced expertise in sports physiotherapy. She brings over 7 years of experience treating athletes across various sports and levels. In fact, Bridie served as the Head Physiotherapist for the Brisbane Roar A-League football team, and has worked with teams in rugby, basketball, swimming, and more.
✔️ You’ll be in exceptionally capable hands for concussion care because of her professional sports background. Including, experience on the sidelines of elite sports and skills in acute injury assessment.
✔️ Bridie brings elite-level expertise to every patient, applying the same gold-standard concussion protocols used with professional athletes—whether you’re a school rugby player, weekend netballer, or someone recovering from a fall.
✔️ She stays at the forefront of concussion research and has completed advanced training in concussion management, including vestibular rehabilitation and advanced trauma life support, ensuring evidence-based care.
✔️ Known for her caring and down-to-earth approach, Bridie ensures patients and families feel heard, supported, and clearly guided through each stage of concussion recovery.
When you come to our clinic, you’re getting a practitioner who is not only highly qualified but also genuinely committed to your well-being.
Take the first step towards your concussion recovery. Contact us now to schedule your initial consultation and discover how our Sports Physiotherapy Brisbane clinic can support your recovery journey.
When it comes to concussion screening in Brisbane, we believe our clinic offers a standout service. Here are a few reasons to consider us for your concussion care:
Recovery depends on the severity of the concussion and individual factors, including the quality of the concussion management plan. Working, or trying to do too much in the first days following concussion often delays your recovery, and leads to longer times off sport.
Minor concussions: 1–2 weeks
Moderate concussions: 2–4 weeks
Severe Concussions: 4–12 weeks
After your assesment we’ll give you a timeline and update it as you improve.
This is a very common question, and understandably you’d like to know how much time and effort to plan for. The honest answer is “it depends”. Every person’s concussion recovery and healing response is unique. However, we can often give a ballpark after your first assessment. Here are some general scenarios to help set expectations:
We strongly believe in not over-treating or under-treating. This means we won’t ask you to keep coming in if you’re doing great and can self-manage, but we also won’t abruptly stop care if you still need support.
We hope these FAQs have answered some of your questions and eased any worries about your concussion management. At Sports & Exercise Physio, we have the expertise and facilities to help you overcome neck pain. With the right care, concussion symptoms can heal and you can get back to sport at full capacity.
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