Find Your Path to Recovery with Concussion and Health Services

Initial evaluations typically last 30–60 minutes, depending on the nature and complexity of your injury. Follow-up visits generally last 30–45 minutes, based on your symptoms and recovery progress.

Yes. To improve access to care, we offer secure virtual telehealth appointments. Simply select the telehealth option when scheduling your appointment.

Yes. We offer flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend appointments when available, to help meet your needs.

According to the CDC Heads Up program, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department if you notice any of the following danger signs following a bump, blow, or jolt to the head:

• Convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching)
• Not able to recognize people or places
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, inability to wake up, or inability to stay awake
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
• A headache that gets worse and does not go away
• One pupil larger than the other or double vision

Concussion danger signs in infants and toddlers

• Any of the signs and symptoms listed above.
• Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled.
• Will not nurse or eat.

Most concussions do not show up on standard imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs. These tests are designed to detect serious structural injuries, such as bleeding, swelling, or skull fractures, rather than the temporary changes in brain function that occur with a concussion. While specialized brain imaging techniques used in research settings may detect these changes, they are not part of routine medical care and are not typically available in emergency departments.

According to the CDC, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This can temporarily affect how the brain functions, leading to symptoms that impact thinking, memory, balance, mood, sleep, and daily activities. While symptoms are often most noticeable immediately after the injury, they can evolve over the hours or days that follow.

Here are some tips to support recovery...

• Get consistent sleep and maintain a regular sleep schedule. 
• Stay well hydrated and eat healthy, balanced meals focused on lean protein sources. 
• Take daily walks outside when possible, engage in light physical activity, as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Encourage social connection and help reduce stress. 
• Monitor symptoms and take breaks when needed. 
• Coordinate communication with your healthcare provider and your child's school to support recovery. 
• Advocate for appropriate school supports and a gradual return to learning and activities.

Check out the Virginia Concussion Initiatives Home Support Checklist and Recharge After Concussion for more details.

Most people recover from a concussion within 2–4 weeks. However, some individuals continue to experience symptoms beyond this timeframe. If symptoms are not improving by 2 weeks, or persist for more than 4 weeks, a comprehensive evaluation by a concussion specialist is recommended to identify contributing factors and develop a personalized treatment plan to support recovery.

Children are encouraged to return to school within 1–2 days after a concussion, even if they are still experiencing mild symptoms. An early, gradual return to school with appropriate supports can actually promote recovery, reduce the risk of prolonged symptoms, and minimize the impact on learning and emotional well-being. Notify your school's concussion management team as soon as possible after the injury to ensure that appropriate supports are in place when your child returns to school. 

Return-to-school support plans should be individualized based on each student's symptoms and needs. It is often best to begin with maximal support—such as frequent breaks, reduced workload, and extra time for assignments and tests—and gradually reduce these supports as symptoms improve and the student is able to tolerate more.

Visit the CDC HEADS Up to Concussion website, or the Virginia Concussion Initiative for more information.

According to the Concussion in Sport Group, returning to sports should be gradual and supervised by your healthcare provider. Athletes should progress through the following stages, spending at least 24 hours at each stage:

1. Resume daily activities that do not worsen symptoms. 
2. Begin light aerobic exercise, then gradually increase intensity. 
3. Add sport-specific movement and change-of-direction drills. 
4. Progress to non-contact training as symptoms resolve. 
5. Return to full-contact practice when cleared by your healthcare provider. 
6. Resume full game play only after successfully completing all stages without symptom recurrence. 

If symptoms return at any stage, consult your healthcare provider before progressing. 

Check out the Virginia Concussion Initiatives Return to Sport Strategy for more details.