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Concussion (Mild TBI)

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If it is after hours or an emergency, call 911 or go to UR Medicine Urgent Care or UR Medicine Emergency Department.

What is a Concussion (Mild TBI)?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. This sudden force makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull, leading to chemical changes and stretching of brain fibers.

While many concussions resolve quickly, some people experience longer-lasting symptoms, known as post-concussion syndrome. This is more common in individuals with a history of multiple concussions.

General Concussion

Concussions can happen to anyone, anywhere — on the road, on the job, or at home. It doesn’t matter if you’re an athlete or not – if untreated, a concussion can result in serious, prolonged symptoms. It’s important to seek treatment immediately. If you think you might have a general concussion, contact your primary care provider or call (585) 275-1200 for an evaluation.

Sports Concussion

A sports concussion is a concussion caused by an athletic incident. You can get a concussion from an accidental hit to the head, a fall, or through normal play, such as head-butting the ball in soccer or volleyball. UR Medicine's Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation providers offer care for recreational and competitive athletes of all ages. If you think you might have a sports concussion, call (585) 275-5321 for an evaluation.

Pediatric Concussion

A pediatric concussion is when a child suffers a concussion. The UR Medicine Pediatric Concussion Program offers comprehensive care for sport-related and non-sport-related pediatric concussions. If your child is between the ages of 8 and 21 and has a sports concussion, call (585) 275-2808. If your child has experienced a general concussion, first contact their primary care provider.

What are the Symptoms of a Concussion?

Symptoms include:

Headache
Dizziness
Difficulty maintaining balance
Confusion
Blurred vision
Changes in behavior or personality
Difficulty concentrating
Sensitivity to light or noise
Difficulty sleeping

Some symptoms will last only an hour or two while others may last a week or more.

Can You Sleep with a Concussion? Signs, Symptoms & Myths

Concussions can be as confusing as they are concerning. For example, contrary to popular belief, it's generally safe to let someone with a concussion sleep. In fact, rest is a crucial part of recovery.

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Call (585) 275-1200

UR Medicine's Treatments for Concussion (Mild TBI)

The University of Rochester Medical Center developed the Integrative Cognitive Rehabilitation Program to focus on those individuals with mild traumatic brain injuries. This is a transdisciplinary program with OT, Neuropsychology and Speech Language Pathology with treatment focused on patient centered goals and compensatory strategies.

The UR Medicine Neurology and Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation teams work together to deliver the latest in medical and surgical care to prevent, evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate concussions.

After we review all symptoms and perform an examination, we'll determine if any further tests, such as an MRI scan, are needed.

Treatment may include:

Balance exercises/activities
Cervical spine, scapular and postural exercises/activities
Vestibular exercises/maneuvers to treat dizziness/vertigo
Aerobic testing to determine tolerance to increased activity
Exercises/activities specific to a sport, work, or task

We also have physical therapists who can help you return to your normal lifestyle. Every concussion is unique, so our physical therapists will work closely with you to determine the best exercises and activities for your recovery.

Speech, Language, and Cognitive Evaluations

A Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) will assess how a concussion has affected:

Attention and focus
Memory and recall
Problem-solving and decision-making (executive functioning)
Language and communication skills
Visuospatial processing

Using this assessment, your SLP will develop individualized strategies to help restore cognitive function and improve daily life.

What Sets Us Apart?

The Integrative Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (ICRP) at UR Medicine is a specialized, multidisciplinary program designed to help individuals recover from mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI), concussion, and other cognitive impairments.

Unlike traditional rehabilitation programs that may focus on a single therapy type, the ICRP combines expertise from multiple disciplines to address cognitive, speech, and functional challenges after brain injury.

Because we’re an academic medical center, our expert clinicians also perform research, including groundbreaking work on concussions. For example, UR Medicine took part in the largest sports concussion research project ever, a joint effort between the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Defense.

For sports concussions, UR Medicine Athletic trainers work closely with local high schools and colleges to provide immediate care for injuries during practices or games. They also triage concussions and work with UR Medicine physicians to coordinate care for the athletes. Many local professional sports teams trust our physicians as their official team doctors.

For pediatric concussions, our Child Neurology division offers state-of-the-art services by nationally known physicians with the highest levels of training and the most regional experience.