It’s more than just a bump on the head — it’s a mild traumatic brain injury, and it can temporarily change how your brain works. Most people feel better within a few weeks. However, recovery times do vary depending on the severity of the injury, your age, overall health, and how well you follow post-concussion care instructions. At Grandview Physiotherapy, one of the questions we are frequently asked is: “How long does it take to recover from a concussion?” Let’s break it down.

Typical Recovery Timeline

• Children & Teens: Frequently take longer to recover, sometimes as long as 3–4 weeks or longer.
• Adults: Recovery for most within 7–14 days, but can last up to a month.
• Athletes: Return-to-play usually involves a week or longer, symptom-free, and gradual progression under supervision.

One important thing to remember is that recovery isn’t the same for everyone. Some are swift to recover; others remain symptomatic for weeks, and sometimes months.

Factors That Affect Recovery

Various factors can affect how long it takes to make a full recovery from a concussion:

• Severity of the injury
• History of concussions (recovery time may take longer if you have had several head injuries)
• Age (older folks often take less time)
• Preexisting conditions, like migraines, anxiety or depression
• How quickly does treatment begin

Common Concussion Symptoms

While healing, you may experience:

• Headaches
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Sleep disturbances

If symptoms continue for 10–14 days in adults, or four weeks in children, this would be called post-concussion syndrome, and it requires clinical care.

How to Support a Safe Recovery

At Grandview Physiotherapy, we suggest the following:

Rest, but not too much Rest (preferably for the first 24 to 48 hours) is essential, but too much inactivity can actually delay recovery.

Gradual return to activities: Only do what you can tolerate.

Prevent high-risk activities: Do not stay away from high-contact sports, heavy lifting, or anything that may lead to further head injury until cleared by a professional.

Follow a treatment plan as directed: Treatment guided by professionals can address issues such as balance, vision and neck problems, which are frequently associated with concussions.

Keep an eye on symptoms: Monitor personal health for any symptom changes, and seek help if symptoms get worse.

When to Seek Medical Help Immediately

Get emergency medical help if you have:

• Persistent vomiting
• Severe or worsening headaches
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Conclusion

It can take you from a week to a few months to recover from a concussion, depending on the person and the circumstances. The key is listening to your body, following your recovery and seeking professional help if necessary. At Grandview Physiotherapy, we offer personalized concussion rehabilitation programs to ensure you can safely and progressively return to regular activity.