Concussion Recovery: Why Physical Therapy Matters

A concussion can occur after a fall, sports injury, car accident, or any event that causes the head and neck to whiplash. Many people experience headaches, dizziness, neck pain, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or sensitivity to light and noise. These symptoms can interfere with work, school, exercise, and everyday activities. The good news is that physical therapy can help reduce symptoms and support a smoother recovery.

Understanding What Happens During a Concussion

Concussions, also known as mild traumatic brain injuries, are not structural injuries like a bruise or bleed in the brain. Because of this, CT scans and MRIs are often normal even when symptoms are present. Instead, a concussion is considered a functional injury, meaning there are temporary changes in how the brain works.

Immediately after injury, the brain enters an excitatory phase where brain cells rapidly fire in response to the sudden force. This is followed by a depression phase as the brain works to restore its energy balance and return to normal function. Research suggests it can take about a month for the brain’s energy levels to fully recover.

About 70% of peoples’ symptoms recover within four weeks, but in roughly 30% of cases symptoms may persist. Lingering symptoms can occur for several reasons, including ongoing inflammation, changes in autonomic nervous system regulation, dysfunction in the neck muscles and joints, or disruptions in how the brain processes movement and sensory information. Early evaluation and rehabilitation can help reduce the likelihood that symptoms persist and can support a faster, more complete recovery.

How Physical Therapy Helps

A concussion may start in the brain, but it can affect the entire body. Physical therapists who specialize in concussion care are trained to evaluate how the brain, eyes, neck, and nervous system are working together. Through a detailed assessment, a physical therapist can identify the specific factors contributing to symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan. Treatment may include balance training, eye movement exercises, neck treatment, nutrition and hydration guidance, and a gradual return to activity. These strategies help the brain and body recover together while safely rebuilding tolerance to movement, exercise, and daily activities.

My Journey with Concussion

I have experienced two concussions myself. One while I was in college and another while I was working. In both situations, the symptoms lasted much longer than I expected and made it difficult to keep up with school, work, and everyday life.

What was especially frustrating was that many of the traditional strategies I had learned about for concussion recovery seemed to make my symptoms worse instead of better. After dealing with lingering symptoms for years, I started searching for better answers. That search led me to dive deeper into the research on persistent concussion symptoms and how the brain and body recover after injury.

Through that process, I developed a passion not only for preventing long-term symptoms, but also for helping people who feel stuck, frustrated, or unsure why they haven’t fully recovered.

When to Seek Help

If you or a loved one has recently experienced a concussion or continues to have lingering symptoms, you don’t have to navigate recovery alone. Early evaluation and guided rehabilitation can help reduce symptoms and support a safe return to work, school, sports, and the activities you enjoy.

At Orchard Park Progressive Physical Therapy, we are committed to providing individualized concussion care that addresses the whole person so you can move, think, and feel better again.