The first step is to be symptom free at rest and while performing daily activities, including school and work. At that point, your doctor will decide if you are ready to begin a return to play protocol. This involves gradually increasing the type and intensity of physical activity through the course of different exercise stages (usually 4 or 5 stages) to ensure that symptoms do not return with exertion. At that point, your doctor may clear you to return to sports. Return to play protocols are a critical part of the concussion treatment protocol. Sometimes, patients may feel better because they are simply not doing the level of activity that provokes symptoms. If that is the case, your doctor needs to know this before you return to the field.