The CDC defines a concussion as:
“a TBI caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth.”
A direct hit to the head is not required to suffer a concussion i.e., whiplash injuries in car accidents where the injured person’s head only rocks back and forth but does not come into contact with the windows or steering wheel.
This is an important fact to remember because the misnomer that a direct blow is required leads to many undiagnosed injuries per year!