Which neurological tests best confirm mild traumatic brain injuries after accidents?
A concussion isn’t always obvious. You may not lose consciousness or notice symptoms right away.
 After a car accident, fall, or sports injury, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or light sensitivity may signal a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). But how do concussion specialists test for it? There’s no single concussion test. Instead, a concussion assessment looks at how your brain and body are functioning.
What Does a Concussion Assessment Include?
These findings help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and guide your recovery plan.
Your practitioner may assess:
- Memory and concentration
- Balance and coordination
- Vision and eye movement
- Dizziness and motion sensitivity
- Neck movement and function
- Exercise tolerance
- Headaches and other symptoms
Why Isn't a CT Scan Enough?
A CT scan or MRI can be important after a head injury, but a normal scan does not rule out a concussion.
Imaging is primarily used to look for serious problems such as bleeding or structural damage. Concussions often involve changes in how the brain and body function rather than visible damage on a scan.
That is why concussion diagnosis relies on your symptoms, history, and clinical assessment.
Common Concussion Tests
Balance and Vestibular Testing
Dizziness, unsteadiness, and motion sensitivity are common after a concussion. Balance and vestibular testing helps identify whether your balance system may be contributing to your symptoms.
Vision Testing
A concussion can affect eye movement, focusing, and how your eyes work together. Your assessment may include eye-tracking and visual testing, including tools such as the King-Devick test.
Cognitive Testing
Memory, concentration, attention, and processing speed may be assessed to determine how the injury is affecting your everyday function.
Neck Assessment
A concussion and neck injury can happen during the same accident. Neck injuries can also cause headaches and dizziness that overlap with concussion symptoms, making a neck assessment an important part of recovery.
Exercise Testing
Some people feel fine at rest but develop symptoms during physical activity. Graded exercise testing can help determine your tolerance for activity and guide a safe return to exercise.
What If Symptoms Don't Go Away?
Most people improve within a few weeks, but some continue to experience symptoms such as:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Difficulty concentrating
- Neck pain
- Vision problems
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When symptoms persist, further concussion testing can help identify what may be slowing down your recovery. Treatment may include physiotherapy, vestibular exercises, vision-based exercises, neck rehabilitation, and a gradual return to activity. At Pro-Action, your assessment findings help us create an individualized concussion management plan, with progress reassessed throughout your recovery
When Should You Get Assessed?
If you have experienced a head injury and your symptoms are not going away, a concussion assessment can help you understand what is happening and what steps to take next. Concussion management is a priority that should not be ignored.  Seek emergency medical attention after a head injury if you experience repeated vomiting, worsening confusion, loss of consciousness, or a severe or worsening headache.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have a concussion without a CT scan?
Yes. A CT scan looks primarily for serious structural problems. A concussion is generally diagnosed through a clinical assessment of symptoms and brain and body function.
How long does a concussion last?
Recovery varies. Many people improve within a few weeks, while others experience symptoms for longer and may benefit from additional assessment and treatment.
Can a neck injury cause concussion-like symptoms?
Yes. Neck injuries can cause headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms that overlap with concussion symptoms, which is why the neck is often assessed as part of concussion testing.
Don't Let Concussion Symptoms Keep Holding You Back.
If you’re experiencing concussion symptoms, Pro-Action can help identify the cause and create a plan for recovery.