What are the recommended home remedies and management strategies for a patient with a concussion?

Home Management of Concussion

The most effective home remedy for concussion is moderate physical and cognitive rest for 24-48 hours followed by gradual, supervised return to activities below your symptom threshold—not prolonged bed rest, which can actually worsen outcomes. 1, 2

Immediate Home Care (First 24-48 Hours)

Physical Rest:

• Avoid all sports, exercise, and strenuous physical activity 2
• No activities that significantly increase heart rate 2
• Rest does not mean complete bed rest—resume normal daily living activities as tolerated 3
• Avoid activities that trigger or worsen symptoms 3

Cognitive Rest:

• Limit screen time (phones, computers, television) 2, 4
• Reduce reading and activities requiring intense concentration 2
• Avoid loud music and noisy environments 4
• Take breaks from mentally demanding tasks 2

Medication Guidelines:

• Only acetaminophen is recommended for symptom relief 3, 2
• Take acetaminophen only as recommended by a physician 3
• Avoid all other medications including NSAIDs, aspirin, alcohol, and illicit drugs, as these can interfere with recovery 3

After Initial 48 Hours: Gradual Activity Reintroduction

Critical principle: Do not exceed 3 days of strict rest, as prolonged rest beyond this point can be detrimental to recovery. 1, 2, 5

Progressive Activity Protocol:

• Begin light activities that don't worsen symptoms after the initial rest period 1
• Start with light aerobic exercise (walking, stationary cycling) staying below your symptom threshold 1, 4
• Each activity level should last minimum 24 hours before advancing 1, 2
• If symptoms return, drop back to the previous level and rest 24 hours before trying again 1, 2

The stepwise progression includes: 1, 2

1. Light aerobic exercise (walking, swimming)
2. Sport-specific exercise (if applicable)
3. Non-contact training drills
4. Full-contact practice (only with medical clearance)
5. Return to competition

Academic/Work Accommodations

• Gradually increase mental workload as tolerated 1, 2
• Request temporary accommodations: shortened days, extended time for assignments, reduced workload 1, 2
• Take frequent breaks during cognitive activities 2

Warning Signs Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

Return to emergency care immediately if you develop: 1, 2

• Repeated vomiting
• Severe or worsening headache
• Seizures
• Increasing confusion or altered mental status
• Focal neurological deficits (weakness, numbness, vision changes)
• Difficulty waking up or increased sleepiness

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Never return to activities the same day as injury, even if symptoms resolve completely 3, 2, 4—this is perhaps the most critical mistake to avoid, as returning too soon dramatically increases risk of catastrophic reinjury.

Do not rest for more than 2-3 days 1, 2—excessive rest beyond the acute phase can lead to physical deconditioning, depression, and prolonged symptom duration 5, 6. Research shows that prolonged activity restriction may actually contribute to persistent postconcussive symptoms rather than prevent them 6.

Do not take any medications for symptoms without physician approval 3—if you need medication to control symptoms, you are not ready to return to full activity 3, 4.

Do not push through worsening symptoms 1—if activities make symptoms worse, you're doing too much too soon.

Special Considerations

For younger individuals (under 18 years): Recovery typically takes longer and requires more conservative management with stricter return-to-activity guidelines due to the developing brain's vulnerability 3, 2. Most teenagers recover within 7-10 days, though some take weeks to months 2.

For persistent symptoms beyond 10 days: Seek multidisciplinary medical management including formal assessment, as 15-20% of concussion patients develop persistent post-concussion syndrome requiring specialized treatment 1, 4.

The evidence strongly supports supervised, sub-threshold aerobic exercise as beneficial therapy, particularly for adolescents 2, 4, 7—this represents the only intervention with strong research evidence for improving concussion recovery, making it superior to passive rest alone.