Concussions are among the most common injuries in youth sports like football, soccer, hockey, and basketball. For parents, hearing that their teen has a concussion can feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right care, most young athletes recover fully.

At her Yaletown’s chiropractic clinic in Vancouver, Dr. Stephanie Bonn provides evidence-based care to support safe concussion recovery and help adolescents return to school, sport, and everyday life.

Understanding Concussions in Youth Athletes

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, neck, or body that makes the brain move rapidly inside the skull. Symptoms in teens may include:

Headaches
Dizziness or balance problems
Difficulty concentrating at school
Sensitivity to light or noise
Neck pain or stiffness
Fatigue or mood changes

Research shows that adolescents often take longer to recover than adults and are at higher risk if they return to play too soon (McCrory et al., 2023). That’s why step-by-step, evidence-based care is essential.

Where Chiropractic Care Fits In

Chiropractors look at the whole musculoskeletal and neurological system, not just the head injury. This holistic approach makes chiropractic care an important part of concussion recovery.

1. Care for the Neck and Spine

Many concussions involve accompanying neck injuries. Gentle manual therapy, soft tissue care, and posture exercises can restore mobility, reduce headaches, and improve function (Brolinson, 2014).

2. Vestibular and Balance Rehabilitation

Dizziness and poor balance are common after concussions. Chiropractors trained in vestibular rehab guide exercises that retrain the inner ear and eyes to work together again (Reneker et al., 2025).

3. Safe, Graded Return to Activity

Following international guidelines, chiropractors support a gradual return-to-learn and return-to-play plan (Echemendia et al., 2023). This ensures your teen progresses from light activity to full contact sports only when ready.

4. Multidisciplinary Support

Effective concussion care is collaborative. Chiropractors often work with pediatricians, athletic trainers, and teachers to provide complete support in school and sport environments.

What the Research Says

Recent studies highlight the benefits of active, multimodal rehabilitation:

Cervical and vestibular rehab speeds recovery compared to rest alone (Schneider et al., 2014).
Early, symptom-limited aerobic exercise within the first week reduces risk of persistent symptoms (Leddy et al., 2019).
Manual therapy for the neck decreases pain and improves function in athletes with post-concussion issues (Jull et al., 2022).

These approaches are now part of the international consensus on concussion care (McCrory et al., 2023).

What Parents and Coaches Should Know

Never allow a same-day return to play after a suspected concussion.
Academic demands (return-to-learn) should be managed before full sport activity.
Chiropractors can monitor recovery, provide safe exercise guidance, and deliver hands-on care for neck and balance problems.
If symptoms persist longer than two weeks, specialized rehabilitation—including chiropractic care—is often recommended.

Final Thoughts

Sports help teens build resilience, teamwork, and lifelong health. But recovery must come first when concussions occur.

At Be Chiropractic Wellness Yaletown in Vancouver, Dr. Stephanie Bonn offers safe, evidence-based chiropractic care to support adolescent athletes in their recovery—helping them return to school, sport, and daily life with confidence.

Book a consultation with Dr. Bonn today to learn how chiropractic care can support concussion recovery.