How to Know If Your Child's Concussion Needs Professional Care
Your child takes a hit during soccer practice, bumps their head on the playground, or falls off their bike. They seem fine, a little dazed, maybe, but they shake it off and want to keep playing. Should you be worried? The answer isn't always obvious, and that uncertainty is one of the most stressful parts of parenting.
At Peak Valley Active Health in Langley, BC concussions are one of the most common childhood injuries we see, yet they're also one of the most misunderstood. Knowing what to look for, and when to seek professional concussion care, can make a significant difference in how quickly and fully your child recovers.
What Is a Concussion, Really?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head — or even to the body — that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. It doesn't require a loss of consciousness, and it won't show up on a standard X-ray or CT scan. That's what makes it tricky: the injury is real, but invisible.
Common Concussion Symptoms to Watch For in Children
Symptoms can appear immediately or develop over the following 24 to 48 hours. Watch for:
Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness or balance problems
Blurry or double vision
Sensitivity to light or noise
Feeling "foggy," sluggish, or off
Difficulty concentrating or remembering
Changes in mood, irritability, or unusual emotional responses
Sleep disturbances — sleeping more than usual or difficulty sleeping
Slowed reaction time or appearing dazed
In younger children who can't fully communicate how they feel, watch for increased crying, changes in play behaviour, loss of interest in favourite activities, or unusual clinginess.
When Should You Seek Professional Care?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if your child experiences any of the following after a head injury:
• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Seizures or convulsions
• Repeated vomiting
• Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking up
• Weakness or numbness in limbs
• Slurred speech
• One pupil larger than the other
Even if your child doesn't have emergency symptoms, you should still seek professional concussion care if symptoms don't begin to improve within a few days, if they worsen over time, or if your child is an athlete hoping to return to sport. Returning to play too early — before the brain has properly healed — significantly increases the risk of a second concussion and longer recovery.
How Concussion Management at Peak Valley Active Health Can Help
At Peak Valley Active Health in Langley, our multidisciplinary team takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to concussion management. We assess not just the injury itself, but how it's affecting your child's brain, balance, vision, mood, and daily function — because no two concussions are exactly alike.
Our team can guide your child through a structured return-to-learn and return-to-sport protocol, help manage lingering symptoms, and give you the clear, confident answers you need as a parent.
Find Support for Your Child’s Concussion Injury at Peak Valley
You don't have to figure this out alone. If you're unsure whether your child's head injury needs attention, it's always better to have it assessed. Book an appointment with our team in Langley today — because when it comes to your child's brain health, peace of mind is everything.