When you get a concussion, everything feels uncertain. One moment, life looks normal, and the next, you wonder if the symptoms mean something serious. Parents feel even more worried when a small child hits their head and can’t explain how they feel.
The right doctor can calm those fears, explain what happens in the brain, and outline a step-by-step treatment plan.
When a Concussion Needs Emergency Care
Some symptoms need emergency care, not a “wait and see” approach. Any adult or child with a head injury needs urgent help if red flags show up.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if the person:
- Loses consciousness, even briefly
- Vomits repeatedly
- Shows weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
- Seems confused, very drowsy, or hard to wake
- Has a severe or rapidly worsening headache
- Has a seizure or stiff, jerking movements
These signs point to a possible brain bleed or more serious injury. Emergency doctors can stabilize the person, order a CT scan if needed, and manage any life-threatening problems before anyone talks about routine concussion care.
When to Schedule Follow-Up Instead
Not all concussions require an ambulance. Some people remain conscious, speak appropriately, and can walk without help after being hit. However, they still need to see a doctor.
Follow up within a day or two if:
- Headaches, dizziness, or “foggy” thinking continue
- Light or noise bothers the eyes or ears
- Balance feels off
- Schoolwork, job tasks, or screens feel harder than usual
Children and teenagers must wait for a doctor’s approval to go back to sports or gym class, even if they claim they “feel fine.” Even a minor concussion can slow reaction time and decision-making, increasing the chance of another injury.
Doctors Who Commonly Treat Concussions
Several types of doctors care for people after concussions. Each one brings a different strength to the table.
Primary Care Physicians
Most people begin with a primary care doctor or a pediatrician familiar with the patient’s history and typical behavior. The doctor examines the nervous system, monitors symptoms, orders imaging tests, and sends patients to specialists if necessary. This approach helps families know what to do first after a concussion.
Sports Medicine Doctors
Sports medicine doctors help athletes of all ages. They understand how practice, games, travel, and pressure affect daily life. They can evaluate concussion symptoms, create return-to-learn and return-to-play plans, coordinate with coaches and schools, and set limits that protect the brain while still respecting the athlete’s goals.
Neurologists
Neurologists focus on the brain and nervous system. A primary care doctor may refer a patient to this specialist when symptoms last longer than expected, migraines or vision changes appear, seizures happen, or there’s a history of multiple concussions. The neurologist looks for other issues, reviews imaging, adjusts medications, and prescribes additional treatments as needed.
Concussion Specialists and Rehabilitation Doctors
Some doctors focus on rehab and concussion recovery through physiatry or dedicated concussion programs. They look at the whole person and coordinate therapies like physical and vestibular rehab to help the person return to a normal daily life. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, physicians use physiatry to improve pain, function, and concussion recovery without surgery.
How the Right Doctor Supports Recovery
A skilled concussion doctor pays attention to the small choices people make daily, not just the desired return to normal activity. A solid plan usually includes:
- Limits on screens, schoolwork, and intense exercise
- Light movement added slowly as symptoms stay steady
- Short, manageable blocks for school or work tasks
These adjustments help the brain recover while adults keep working and kids stay involved in school. A caring doctor answers questions, shows what symptoms represent, and describes what genuine improvement looks like to make every step in the healing journey easier to understand.
Get Concussion Care You Can Trust
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our physicians use a whole-person approach to concussion care. Our concussion specialist team includes rehabilitation doctors who evaluate symptoms, create customized recovery plans, and coordinate therapies that support balance, vision, mood, and daily function.
We treat each patient like family, whether that patient plays sports, works a physically demanding job, or simply wants life to feel normal again. Contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine to schedule a concussion evaluation and learn what the next safe step looks like for you or your child.