Photo: Epworth Geelong Acute Concussion Clinic physios Drew and Hannah utilising vestibular goggles to assess and treat concussion patients.
With the 2025 AFL Barwon season well underway, a former local footballer has shared his experience with concussion to raise awareness of the importance of seeking early advice from a trained professional.
A self-proclaimed 'football tragic', Kieren Walsh (pictured below) says he would have suffered around five concussions in the school yard and on the footy field before he turned 21.
"I didn't realise what concussion was at the time. I remember once in class, I had to ask a classmate their name three times even though I'd met them several times before. Then I couldn't remember my walk home from school," the former Colac District player said.
After another two concussions just a few weeks apart when Kieren was 22, his concussion symptoms lingered for months.
Then a medical student, Kieran was struggling to focus, he had a worsening sensitivity to screens and light, and his head would go foggy when he tried to exercise.
He was referred by his GP to Epworth Geelong and his journey back to health began.
While everyone's post-concussion recovery is different, Kieren's story is not uncommon.
Epworth Geelong has established a physiotherapy-led concussion clinic at the hospital, providing concussion patients early access to expert clinical guidance. This includes baseline assessments as appropriate, an assessment of current state post-concussion, provision of exercises to aid recovery, advice around the return to work or sport and referrals to medical specialists as required.
For those with prolonged symptoms, management by a multidisciplinary team is important. Epworth Geelong also offers concussion care through their outpatient rehabilitation program to meet the needs of these patients. Led by a rehabilitation physician, this service offers access to psychology, occupational therapy, exercise physiology and physiotherapy.
Epworth Geelong Physiotherapy Manager, Hannah Teasdale, said research shows early advice and intervention post-concussion can lead to improved recovery times and a decrease in symptom severity.
"If you have suffered a concussion, it is important to be cautious and seek advice early from a trained professional, to guide recovery, enhance knowledge and optimise outcomes," Ms Teasdale said.
"Patients often rest for a short time and then aim to return to their full paced routine of life, sport and work. There is no sling on their arm and nothing visible for others to see. It is often difficult for concussion sufferers to apply boundaries around their capacity, to enable their brain to recover from the injury.
"Knowledge of condition and the recovery process is powerful in assisting the patient to make good decisions around recovery.
"Up to 30 per cent of concussion patients take more than four weeks to recover and the life impact of concussion can be profound."
Kieren knows this first-hand - he was treated at the concussion clinic for six months during his recovery and his symptoms had a significant impact on his life.
His recovery required a lot of postural and eye exercises, as well as learning strategies to help him manage his symptoms day-to-day.
Kieren is sharing his story to help raise awareness of post-concussion symptoms and the seriousness of head injuries, particularly among country football clubs, which he is passionate about.
"The Epworth Geelong Concussion Clinic is an incredible service because getting in early is so important," he said.
Epworth has a longstanding partnership with AFL Barwon, including sponsorship of the women's football and netball competitions. The Epworth Geelong Concussion Clinic is another way to support players in the region.
You can access the Epworth Geelong Concussion Clinic via GP referral. Alternatively, if you present to the Epworth Geelong Emergency Department for clinical care you can be referred to the clinic for further assessment and care. The clinic accepts patients from 16 years of age.
