Concussion Rehabilitation in North Vancouver
Dr. Aaron Wallace provides concussion rehabilitation as a Complete Concussions certified provider, with appointments at both Coast Performance Rehabilitation in North Vancouver and Aquatic Centre Physiotherapy in West Vancouver. Rehabilitation is tailored to your assessment, symptoms and daily goals, with coordination with your medical provider when appropriate.
Baseline testing is currently available at Coast Performance Rehabilitation in North Vancouver only.
Concussions often occur alongside neck injuries, balance issues, and changes in how the body moves. With a background in both concussion management and musculoskeletal care, I look at more than just symptoms on a checklist, I consider your neck, vestibular system, and overall movement patterns to guide a safe, progressive return to work, school, and sport.
If you think you may have a concussion, arrange a medical assessment. Rehabilitation supports recovery but does not replace medical diagnosis or required clearance for return to contact sport.
Written and clinically reviewed by Dr. Aaron Wallace, DC, MSc.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury caused by acceleration or deceleration of the brain following a significant impact to the head or elsewhere on the body. The impact causes dysfunction within brain cells and decreased blood flow, resulting in temporary deficits in brain function.
Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, headache, pressure in the head, neck pain, nausea or vomiting, cognitive problems, dizziness, or balance problems, among others.
To further understand what a concussion is, watch this video for a deeper explanation from Dr. Cameron Marshall
Concussion Treatment
After a suspected concussion, arrange a medical assessment. Many people are advised to begin with a short period of relative rest, followed by a gradual, symptom-guided return to mental and physical activity. If symptoms are not settling, an individualized rehabilitation plan may help.
Concussion rehabilitation begins with an individualized assessment and a plan for returning to daily activities. Depending on the findings, care may address exercise tolerance, neck symptoms, balance or other difficulties affecting school, work and activity. Treatment and referrals are guided by your presentation. Decisions about returning to activities with a risk of another head injury require the appropriate medical assessment and clearance.
Depending on your assessment, care may include:
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Balance Rehab
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Recovery habits (sleep, hydration, nutrition)
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Vision Rehab
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Cognitive Testing
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Integrated Manual Therapy
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Exercise Rehab
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Return to School, Work and Sport
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Baseline testing (Coast only)
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Educational resources
Book concussion care
Dr. Wallace sees concussion patients at both clinics. Choose the location that works best for you. If you are unsure which appointment type to book for concussion care, call the clinic.
Baseline Testing at Coast
Baseline testing records selected physical and cognitive measures before an injury. It is not required to receive concussion care and should not be used on its own to diagnose a concussion, show that you have recovered, or clear an athlete to return to sport.
Whether testing is appropriate depends on the athlete, the sporting environment and the wider medical support available. We can discuss its limitations and whether it has a useful role in your organization's concussion plan. Baseline testing is currently offered at Coast Performance Rehabilitation in North Vancouver only.
Concussion Tracker Smartphone Application
The Concussion Tracker smartphone app can help track symptoms and share updates with your care provider. The app captures and shares an athletes’ concussion status in real time and allows concussed patients to interact with their care provider and provide regular symptom updates and clinical check-ins.
Where a concussion hits, Concussion Tracker allows users to:
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Perform neurocognitive assessments and compare to baseline
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Report and track concussions
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Conduct sideline assessments
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Ensure seamless communication
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Record athlete’s recovery status and timeline
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Scan and share medical documents
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Track daily symptoms for recovery progress
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Store and view pre-season baseline concussion test results
Download the Concussion Tracker app for free today on the App Store and Google Play!
Common questions
Do I need a baseline test before getting concussion care?
No. A baseline test is not a prerequisite for assessment or treatment after a suspected concussion.
Sources and further reading
Tell us about your team, age group and existing concussion procedures. Please use this form for general enquiries, not urgent symptoms or personal medical records.