Services
Persistent Concussion Symptoms
Persistent symptoms are more common than people think — around 15–40% of people may experience symptoms that last longer than expected. If your symptoms haven’t resolved, it doesn’t mean you’re broken, it means something specific still needs support.
What's driving ongoing symptoms.
When concussion symptoms linger, it’s rarely because the brain hasn’t healed. More often, it’s because one or more systems in the body are still out of sync and continuing to send unhelpful signals. These systems all work together — and when even one of them isn’t functioning well, it can keep symptoms going. Understanding which areas are involved is the first step toward making recovery move forward again. Below are some of the most common systems that can contribute to persistent concussion symptoms.
Neck
(Cervical Spine)
After a concussion, the neck often tightens and “guards” to protect itself. That can trigger headaches, neck stiffness, and even dizziness, especially with looking up/down, turning quickly, or sitting at a desk. If the neck is a driver, treating it can make everything else feel easier.
Vision
(Oculomotor System)
Your eyes and brain work as a team. After concussion, they can fatigue quickly — leading to eye strain, blurred vision, headaches with reading/screens, and trouble focusing between near and far. You might lose your place when reading, feel overwhelmed in supermarkets, or feel better when you close one eye.
Exercise Tolerance (Autonomic Nervous System)
Some people feel “fine” at rest but get symptoms as soon as they try to exercise or do a busy day. That can look like fatigue, lightheadedness, brain fog, feeling overheated, or a symptom spike when your heart rate rises. With the right plan, we can rebuild tolerance safely using graded, symptom-guided
Balance & Dizziness (Vestibular System)
Your balance system helps you feel steady when you move. When it’s irritated, you might feel like you’re on a boat, not grounded, or “off” in busy environments. Some people get room-spinning vertigo, nausea, or feel worse with quick head turns, car rides, or scrolling.
Mood & Stress Response
(Fight or Flight)
Concussion can affect how you regulate emotion — especially when symptoms, sleep disruption, and stress build up. It’s common to feel more anxious, irritable, low, or easily overwhelmed. This doesn’t mean “it’s all in your head” — it means your nervous system is under load, and it’s something we can support as part of recovery.
Migraines
(Post Traumatic Headaches)
Post-concussion headaches aren’t all the same. For some, the pattern looks more like migraine: throbbing headache, sensitivity to light/noise, nausea, or symptoms triggered by stress, poor sleep, dehydration, or screens. Identifying a migraine pattern helps us tailor your plan (and coordinate with your GP when needed) so you’re not stuck in a flare-up cycle.
Here’s how we approach recovery — together.
I use a structured assessment process to understand your symptoms, identify what’s driving them, and create a plan that supports safe, steady progress. Here’s what that process looks like.