A concussion can feel invisible — but its effects are very real.
Headaches, dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, sensitivity to light and noise — these symptoms can persist for weeks or months after the initial injury. And without the right support, they often do.
At Affinity Wellness, our physiotherapy team specializes in concussion rehabilitation for patients of all ages. We treat the physical and neurological symptoms of concussion using evidence-based techniques — and we work alongside our occupational therapists when cognitive symptoms also need support.
No referral needed for most patients. Direct billing available. ICBC covers concussion rehab for motor vehicle accident patients.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a sudden impact, blow, or jolt to the head — or by a force to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. You do not have to hit your head directly to sustain a concussion.
Concussions are common in sports, motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, and falls. They can affect people of any age.
Despite being classified as “mild,” the symptoms of a concussion can be significant and disruptive to daily life. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches and head pressure
- Dizziness and balance problems
- Nausea
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Fatigue — especially mental fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Sensitivity to noise (phonophobia)
- Irritability and mood changes
- Anxiety
Most concussion symptoms resolve within 2–4 weeks. However, approximately 10–30% of concussion patients experience symptoms that persist beyond one month — a condition known as post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
When Should You See a Physiotherapist After a Concussion?
You should see your doctor first after a suspected concussion. Once serious complications have been ruled out, physiotherapy is one of the most effective interventions for concussion recovery.
You should consider physiotherapy concussion rehabilitation if:
- Your symptoms have not resolved within 2–3 weeks
- You are experiencing dizziness, balance problems, or vertigo
- You have persistent headaches that may be coming from your neck (cervicogenic headaches)
- You are an athlete preparing to return to sport
- You are an adult returning to work and struggling with concentration or cognitive fatigue
- You were in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a concussion
Early physiotherapy intervention — even in the first few weeks after a concussion — has been shown to support faster and more complete recovery.
How Does Physiotherapy Treat Concussion?
Concussion rehabilitation at Affinity Wellness is tailored to your specific symptoms. Not everyone presents the same way, and treatment is built around your individual profile.
Our physiotherapists are trained in the following concussion rehab approaches:
Cervical physiotherapy (neck treatment)
Many concussion-related headaches originate from the neck — particularly from the upper cervical spine. Cervicogenic headaches are extremely common after concussions, especially those caused by whiplash. Manual therapy, soft tissue work, and targeted exercises for the neck can dramatically reduce headache frequency and intensity.
Vestibular rehabilitation
Dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems after a concussion are often caused by disruption to the vestibular system — the inner ear and brain pathways that control balance. Vestibular rehabilitation uses specific exercises to retrain this system and reduce symptoms. It is one of the most effective treatments available for post-concussion dizziness.
Visual and oculomotor rehabilitation
Concussions can affect the systems that control eye movement and visual processing. Symptoms like difficulty reading, eye strain, blurry vision, and motion sensitivity can all have a visual component. Oculomotor exercises help retrain these pathways.
Exertional rehabilitation and return-to-sport
For athletes and active individuals, returning to physical activity too soon — or without guidance — can prolong recovery. Our physiotherapists use graduated exertion protocols to safely reintroduce exercise and physical activity at the right pace, and to guide a structured return to sport or training.
Education and activity pacing
Understanding your symptoms and learning how to manage your activity levels is a critical part of concussion recovery. Your physiotherapist will teach you how to pace your cognitive and physical activities to avoid symptom flare-ups while still making progress.
Concussion Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy
For patients whose concussion symptoms include significant cognitive difficulties — trouble concentrating, memory problems, difficulty returning to work or school, fatigue management — occupational therapy can work alongside physiotherapy to address these areas.
Our occupational therapist at Affinity Wellness supports patients with:
- Cognitive fatigue management strategies
- Return-to-work and return-to-school planning
- Activity modification and pacing
- Brain injury rehabilitation
For complex concussion cases, our physio and OT teams collaborate directly on your care plan — something that is only possible because both disciplines work under the same roof.
Learn more about Occupational Therapy at Affinity Wellness →
Concussion Rehabilitation for Athletes in Kelowna
Concussions are one of the most common and most serious injuries in sport — affecting hockey players, skiers, cyclists, soccer players, rugby players, and many others in the Okanagan.
Returning to sport too soon after a concussion significantly increases the risk of a second concussion, which can have far more serious consequences. Our physiotherapists follow evidence-based return-to-sport protocols that prioritize both safety and full recovery.
We work with athletes of all ages and levels — from youth sports players to adult recreational athletes to competitive performers.
Concussion Rehabilitation After a Car Accident
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of concussions in BC. If you’ve been in a car accident and are experiencing any concussion symptoms — even mild ones — it’s important to get assessed promptly.
Affinity Wellness treats ICBC patients and bills directly for concussion rehabilitation following motor vehicle accidents. You do not need to pay out of pocket. Our physiotherapists have experience with ICBC documentation and progress reporting.
What to Expect at Your First Concussion Rehab Appointment
Your first appointment focuses on assessment — understanding your symptoms, their severity, and what’s driving them. This typically includes:
- A detailed health history, including the mechanism of injury
- Symptom checklist and severity rating
- Assessment of neck mobility and cervical spine involvement
- Balance and vestibular screening
- Visual and oculomotor screening where relevant
- Discussion of your current activity levels and daily functioning
Based on this assessment, your physiotherapist will explain what they found, which systems appear to be involved, and what your treatment plan will look like. Treatment often begins at the first appointment.
Bring any imaging reports or medical notes from your doctor if you have them. Wear comfortable clothing. Let the reception team know when you book that you’re coming in for concussion rehabilitation so they can allocate the appropriate appointment length.
Our Multidisciplinary Advantage
Concussion recovery is rarely a straight line. The physical, cognitive, and emotional dimensions of a concussion often overlap in ways that no single discipline can fully address alone.
At Affinity Wellness, our physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and counsellors work under one roof and communicate directly about complex cases. If your recovery involves more than one dimension — which many concussions do — your care team can coordinate seamlessly without you having to manage the logistics.
Serving Kelowna and the Okanagan
Affinity Wellness is located at 1890 Ambrosi Rd, Suite 2 in central Kelowna — easy to reach from HWY 97 or Springfield Rd, with free parking at the front and back of the building.
We serve older adults from across the Okanagan Valley including:
- Kelowna and Central Kelowna
- Glenmore and Kelowna North
- Lower Mission and Okanagan Mission
- Rutland and Kelowna East
- West Kelowna and Westbank
- Lake Country
- Peachland
Direct Billing and Insurance
Physiotherapy concussion rehabilitation is covered by most extended health plans that include physiotherapy. ICBC covers concussion rehabilitation for patients injured in motor vehicle accidents in BC.
Affinity Wellness offers direct billing to most major insurers. No referral is required for most patients — you can book directly and we’ll handle the billing.
Concussion Rehabilitation Kelowna — FAQs
What is post-concussion syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) is a condition where concussion symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery window — typically defined as symptoms lasting more than four weeks. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, brain fog, fatigue, sleep problems, and mood changes. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and vestibular rehabilitation are among the most effective treatments for PCS.
Do I need a doctor's referral for concussion physiotherapy in Kelowna?
No. You can book directly with our physiotherapy team at Affinity Wellness without a referral. However, if you have recently sustained a concussion, we always recommend seeing your doctor first to rule out more serious complications before starting rehabilitation.
How long does concussion rehabilitation take?
This varies significantly depending on the severity of the concussion, how long symptoms have been present, and the specific systems involved. Many patients with subacute concussions (symptoms present 2–8 weeks) see meaningful improvement within 6–10 physiotherapy sessions. Patients with post-concussion syndrome may require a longer program. Your physiotherapist will give you a realistic timeline at your first appointment.
What is vestibular rehabilitation?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physiotherapy that treats dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems caused by disruption to the vestibular system — the inner ear and brain balance pathways. It is one of the most effective treatments for post-concussion dizziness and is offered at Affinity Wellness.
Can physiotherapy help with concussion headaches?
Yes. Many concussion headaches have a cervicogenic component — meaning they originate from tension and dysfunction in the neck and upper spine, not the brain itself. Physiotherapy treatment targeting the cervical spine, including manual therapy and specific exercises, can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of concussion-related headaches.
Does ICBC cover concussion rehabilitation?
Yes. If you sustained a concussion in a motor vehicle accident in BC, ICBC covers physiotherapy rehabilitation including concussion rehab. Affinity Wellness bills ICBC directly.
Can children and teenagers receive concussion rehabilitation at Affinity Wellness?
Our physiotherapists treat concussion patients of all ages including children, teenagers, and student athletes. Youth concussion recovery requires special care around return-to-school and return-to-sport protocols. Our team is trained in age-appropriate concussion rehabilitation.
What is the return-to-sport protocol for athletes after a concussion?
Return-to-sport protocols follow a graduated six-stage progression — from complete rest through to full return to competition. Each stage must be symptom-free before advancing to the next. At Affinity Wellness, our physiotherapists guide athletes through this process safely and at the appropriate pace, reducing the risk of re-injury.
How do I book a concussion rehabilitation appointment in Kelowna?
Book online 24/7 through our online booking system, or call (778) 478-0548. Select physiotherapy when booking and let our team know you’re coming in for concussion rehabilitation. No referral is required.
General Inquiry
Have a question?
Need More Information on Concussion Rehabilitation in Kelowna?
Ask Our Experienced Team
Affinity Wellness is conveniently located in central Kelowna at 1890 Ambrosi Rd Suite 2, off of either HWY 97 or Springfield Rd. There is FREE PARKING at the front and back of the building.
Contact Us
778-478-0548
info@affinitywellness.ca
Location
Affinity Wellness
1890 Ambrosi Rd Suite 2,
Kelowna, BC V1Y 4R9, Canada
Hours
Monday-Thursday 7:00am – 7:00pm
Friday- 7:00am – 2:30pm
Saturday- 8:00am – 2:00pm
Sunday- Closed
