Concussion
Concussion Isn't Just a Sports Injury
Sport and Exercise Physician | Managing Director
Published
November 14, 2025
Sport and Exercise Physician | Managing Director
Published
November 14, 2025
When most people think about concussion, they picture a heavy tackle on the rugby field or a head clash during a football match. In reality, concussions can occur almost anywhere, including at home, at work, on the road, or during recreational activity.
At our concussion clinic, we see people from all walks of life (not just sportspeople) recovering from concussion. While sport remains an important cause, natural data shows that most concussions occur outside of organised sport. Everyday slips, trips, and falls account for a large proportion of cases, particularly among children and older adults. Road traffic incidents and workplace injuries also feature prominently.
Our understanding of concussion has advanced enormously over the past decade, guided by international research and by studies conducted within our own clinic. This work has helped shape an approach to treatment that is active, individualised, and effective. What began in sport now guides recovery for everyone.
Although the football codes often dominate concussion discussions, they represent only part of the picture. Other sports such as cycling, equestrian sport, mountain biking, and even netball can also carry a significant risk. Sometimes concussions occur in sports not typically viewed as high risk, including activities like surfing, or basketball, where falls or unexpected collisions can happen.
Recognising concussion in these contexts is essential. Because awareness is lower, symptoms may be missed or dismissed, delaying recovery. By improving recognition and understand across all sports, we can ensure that more people access timely, evidence-based care.
Outside sport, concussions often result from simple household accidents or workplace incidents. Falls from ladders, slips on uneven surfaces, or being struck by an object can all cause head injury. Cyclists, scooter users, and pedestrians involved in minor road accidents are also at risk.
No matter the cause, the management principles remain the same: identify the symptoms, provide reassurance and education, and guide a safe, graded return to normal life.
Our interdisciplinary team at Axis includes sport and exercise physicians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other rehabilitation specialists. While many of us have backgrounds in elite and professional sport, our expertise extends far beyond the playing field. We treat all concussions, from school students to older adults, and from active athletes to those who are relatively sedentary.
For every patient, the goal is the same: to help them return safely and confidently to their normal routines. For some, recovery may involve targeted physical rehabilitation. For others, it might focus on concentration, mood, or balance. Each person’s pathway is different, and our job is to tailor treatment to their needs.
Understanding where and how a concussion occurred helps shape recovery. A teenager returning to sport faces different challenges to someone returning to office work or a trade. Recognising these nuances allows us to design recovery plans that are practical, safe, and achievable.
At Axis Sports Medicine, we combine medical expertise with rehabilitation principles proven to support recovery across all settings. Our approach is active, structured, and evidence based. We continue to contribute to concussion research and to advocate for better awareness, especially in areas where concussion is often overlooked.
Whether your concussion happened on the field, at work, or at home, you can expect the same level of care and support.
If you or someone you know has suffered from a concussion, in sport or elsewhere, our team can help. We offer comprehensive assessment, targeted rehabilitation, and coordinated care to guide you safely back to everyday life.
Learn more about our Concussion Clinic Services here.
