Maybe this sounds familiar. Your son took a knock in a Saturday fixture, sat out for the required time and has been told he can play again. But at home he snaps at his sister, stares at his maths homework and is in bed by eight. He says he is fine. You are not so sure.
Rugby is part of the fabric of South African family life, from primary school fields to senior club sides. So is the worry that comes with it.
First things first: a doctor, every time
If you suspect a concussion, the player comes off the field and does not go back on that day. He or she then needs to be assessed by a doctor. That holds even if there was no blackout and even if the player insists that all is well.
Returning to sport afterwards should follow a graduated return-to-play plan guided by a doctor. That means rest, then a step-by-step build-up through light exercise, training and contact, moving on only when each stage is free of symptoms. Children and teenagers generally need longer than adults.
Some signs need emergency care straight away:
- A headache that keeps getting worse
- Repeated vomiting
- Increasing drowsiness, or difficulty waking the player
- A seizure
- Confusion that deepens, slurred speech or unusual behaviour
- Weakness, numbness or loss of balance
- Neck pain, or clear fluid from the nose or ears
Neurofeedback has no role in that first stage. Medical care comes first.
What a concussion does to the brain
A concussion is a mild brain injury caused by a blow or a sudden jolt. The brain moves inside the skull, and for a while its cells do not work as efficiently as usual. An ordinary scan often looks normal, because the problem lies in how the brain is functioning, not in something a picture can show.
It may help to think of it as an energy shortage. The brain is thought to need extra fuel to repair itself at the very time it is least able to supply it. So everything can take more effort: thinking, concentrating, coping with noise and bright light, keeping a lid on emotions.
On an EEG, which is a recording of the brain's electrical activity, more slow activity than usual is sometimes seen after a concussion, although findings differ from person to person.
When symptoms hang around
Most people recover well with time. For some, symptoms linger. Parents are often the first to notice:
- Headaches, especially after school or screen time
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Trouble concentrating, and marks that slip
- Irritability or tearfulness that is out of character
- Poor sleep, or sleeping far more than usual
- Hesitation or flinching before contact
If any of these continue, go back to your doctor. Lingering symptoms are a reason for another medical review, not something to wait out quietly. Our article on post-concussion syndrome explains this stage in more detail.
Cleared to play and fully recovered are not always the same day. A parent's quiet sense that something is off deserves to be heard.
Where neurofeedback may fit
Neurofeedback is a complementary, non-invasive form of brain training. It works alongside medical care, never instead of it, and it is not a way to get a player back on the field sooner.
Sensors placed on the scalp read the brain's electrical activity. They only read. Nothing is sent into the brain. A computer turns the activity into sound and images, and when the brain moves towards a steadier pattern the feedback rewards it. Over time the brain practises that pattern.
Every client begins with a 19-channel brain map, which takes about an hour and a half. Training sessions last 45 to 60 minutes and start with a short check-in. You can read more on our what to expect page.
Research into neurofeedback after concussion is limited and still preliminary, and no outcome can be promised. The aim is to help the brain settle, which may support clearer thinking, steadier moods and better sleep. Results vary from person to person.
Focus and vision on the field
Once a player has recovered and been medically cleared, there is a different conversation to be had about performance. Good rugby depends on wide awareness: seeing the gap, hearing the call, reading the defensive line.
An anxious brain tends to narrow its attention. A player who is afraid of the next tackle sees the ball and very little else. Training a calm, alert state may help attention widen again.
One rhythm often trained in neurofeedback is SMR, the sensorimotor rhythm, a steady pattern linked with a still body and a ready mind. If temper and impulsiveness are part of the picture, our article on emotional meltdowns in teens may help, and for more serious injuries see brain injury rehabilitation.
Common questions
Can neurofeedback treat a concussion?
No. A suspected concussion needs medical assessment, rest as advised and a doctor-guided return to play. Neurofeedback is a complementary approach that some people use afterwards, alongside medical care, when symptoms such as fogginess, poor sleep or irritability are slow to settle. The research is limited and still developing, and results vary from person to person.
Is neurofeedback safe after a head injury?
Neurofeedback is non-invasive. The sensors only read the brain's electrical activity and nothing is sent into the brain. After a head injury, speak to your doctor before starting any neurofeedback, and wait until acute medical care is complete.
Can neurofeedback tell us when it is safe to play again?
No. The decision to return to contact belongs to a doctor, following a graduated return-to-play process. A brain map is not a medical clearance and should never be used as one. Please do not let anybody, including a coach or a keen player, shortcut that process.
There will always be another season, and a young brain is worth protecting for it. If your player has been medically assessed and you would like to talk about support for the recovery that follows, you are welcome to contact us in Krugersdorp.
- rugby
- concussion
- sports injury
- youth rugby
- focus
