Most concussions resolve. The ones that drag on usually do so because someone waited, rested too long, or returned to contact too early. Kristen Johnston, DPT, on what physical therapy actually treats after a concussion, why returning to learning comes before returning to play, and the six steps back to competition.

Dizziness is one symptom of a concussion. It is not the injury. An athlete can pass a sideline check, feel mostly fine on the drive home, and still be unable to read a page of homework three days later. Part one of two on what a concussion actually looks like.