Vancouver's Complete Concussions Clinic
Envision Physiotherapy is a Complete Concussions Management (CCMI)-certified concussion clinic with two Vancouver locations — Unit 201 - 3077 Granville St. (South Granville) and 672 Leg in Boot Square (False Creek / Olympic Village). We treat patients across Vancouver, Burnaby, the North Shore and the Lower Mainland.
Our concussion physiotherapy program covers the full evidence-based pathway: pre-season baseline testing, acute concussion assessment, vestibular rehabilitation, visual / oculomotor rehab, sub-symptom-threshold cardio, manual therapy for the neck and whiplash, and structured return-to-school, return-to-work and return-to-play plans.
Not sure whether what you're feeling is normal? Read our physiotherapist's guide to concussion symptoms — what's normal, what's not, and when to get help.
Same-week assessments. No referral required. Direct billing to most extended health plans, ICBC.
In short
Concussion physiotherapy assesses and retrains the vestibular, visual, cervical and autonomic systems a concussion disrupts. At Envision's two Vancouver clinics we run the CCMI protocol and build a safe, staged return to school, work and sport.
When can I return to sport after a concussion?
Return to sport follows a graduated, stage-by-stage protocol — not a fixed number of days. You progress one stage at a time, symptom-free at each step, before full-contact clearance. A concussion-trained physiotherapist guides the staging and provides the return-to-play documentation many teams require.
Concussion Management Physiotherapists
What is a Concussion
A concussion is a brain injury that can happen with or without a blow to the head. It typically results in immediate but short-term symptoms that resolve within a few weeks. However, some people develop persistent symptoms such as headache, dizziness, feeling “foggy”, and/or nausea. It has been shown that physiotherapy rehabilitation can improve recovery from a concussion, both in the early and late stages.
The aim of a concussion assessment is to identify which issues are causing symptoms and develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses them. These symptoms may stem from visual or vestibular (balance) disturbances, motion sensitivity, cognitive strain, exercise intolerance, sleep issues, and neck dysfunction. Depending on an individual’s presentation, we often work with other healthcare practitioners to target all areas affected by a concussion.
The ultimate aim of concussion treatment is to provide the tools and education to guide a safe and full return to activities — whether it be work, sports or leisure. Vancouver patients with persistent dizziness, gaze instability or motion sensitivity often benefit from dedicated vestibular rehabilitation, and athletes engaged in sport should consider our Sport Concussion Baseline Testing program.
Concussion Treatment
Following a concussion injury, it is recommended that you seek the care of a healthcare professional with training and experience in concussion as soon as possible. Recent studies have concluded that one of the best predictors of concussion recovery was how fast the patient was assessed at a concussion clinic.
Generally, a period of relative “symptom-limited” physical and cognitive rest is recommended for the first 24–48 hours after injury. After this rest period, a gradual increase in mental and physical activity is recommended — ideally directed and supervised by a licensed healthcare practitioner trained in concussion management.
If symptoms of a concussion are still present after 7 to 10 days, an individualised treatment and rehabilitation program should be initiated. The scientific evidence indicates that concussion is best treated with early application of specific cardio exercise programs, rehabilitation for the visual and vestibular systems, treatment aimed at the neck and associated whiplash, dietary and supplement recommendations, as well as patient education.
Evidence-Based Concussion Services
As part of our Complete Concussions program, we offer a full suite of evidence-based concussion treatment services and strategies, including:
Balance Rehab
Targeted balance retraining to address postural and coordination deficits commonly seen post-concussion.
Vision Rehab
Oculomotor and visual-vestibular exercises that retrain eye-teaming and gaze stability after a brain injury.
Cognitive Testing
Memory, reaction time and processing-speed measures used to track recovery against an athlete’s baseline.
Integrated Manual Therapy
Hands-on treatment of the cervical spine and associated whiplash injuries that frequently accompany concussion.
Exercise Rehab
Sub-symptom threshold cardio and graded exposure programs that drive recovery without flaring symptoms.
Nutritional Recommendations
Dietary and supplement guidance to support brain recovery, in coordination with our in-house dietitians.
Return to School, Work & Sport
Structured, stage-by-stage return-to-activity plans built around your unique presentation and goals.
Pre-season Baseline Testing
Personalised baseline data to dramatically improve the quality of post-injury recovery and return-to-play decisions. Learn more.
Concussion Physiotherapy in Vancouver — Common Questions
What are the symptoms of a concussion?
Concussion symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, light or noise sensitivity, brain fog, balance problems, fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms often develop within minutes to hours and may evolve over the following 24 to 72 hours. If symptoms persist beyond 7 to 10 days, individualised concussion physiotherapy is recommended.
How long does concussion recovery take?
Most concussions resolve within 2 to 4 weeks with proper rest and graded activity. Roughly 15–20% of people develop post-concussion syndrome where symptoms persist beyond 4 weeks; these cases benefit from targeted vestibular, visual, cervical and sub-symptom-threshold cardio rehabilitation. Earlier assessment is one of the strongest predictors of full recovery.
Do I need a doctor's referral for concussion physiotherapy in Vancouver?
No referral is required to book concussion physiotherapy at Envision Physiotherapy in Vancouver. We direct-bill most extended health insurance plans, and ICBC. We recommend booking an assessment within 7 to 10 days of injury — recovery outcomes are strongly tied to how soon rehabilitation begins.
What is vestibular rehabilitation and how does it help after a concussion?
Vestibular rehabilitation is a targeted physiotherapy program that retrains the inner-ear and brain pathways responsible for balance and gaze stability. After a concussion, vestibular dysfunction is one of the most common drivers of dizziness, motion sensitivity and brain fog. Specific exercises (gaze stabilisation, habituation, balance training) measurably improve symptoms and recovery time.
Can I exercise after a concussion?
Yes — but only with a sub-symptom-threshold protocol. Current evidence shows that 24 to 48 hours of relative rest followed by graded aerobic exercise (kept below the level that provokes symptoms) speeds recovery compared with prolonged rest. Your physiotherapist will determine your safe threshold using a Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test or equivalent.
When is a head injury an emergency — what are the red-flag signs to go to the ER?
Most concussions are not emergencies, but some head injuries are. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 if you have repeated vomiting, a worsening or severe headache, seizures, weakness or numbness, slurred speech, unequal pupils, increasing confusion or drowsiness, or cannot be woken. When in doubt, get assessed urgently.
Medically reviewed for clinical accuracy by Marcus Dusseault, Registered Physiotherapist (MScPT, BSc, IMS), Associate Physiotherapist at Envision Physiotherapy.
Book Concussion Physiotherapy in Vancouver
Two locations, same-week assessments. Choose South Granville (3077 Granville St) or False Creek (672 Leg in Boot Square).