Beyond Dizziness: The Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Concussion Symptoms

When you think of a concussion, you likely think of headaches, brain fog, and maybe dizziness. And while dizziness is one of the most common and disruptive symptoms, concussion physical therapy goes far beyond simply treating vertigo. A physical therapist who specializes in concussion can help you overcome a wide range of symptoms you might not have realized were treatable.

What Happens to Your Body After a Concussion?

A concussion is a complex injury that can affect several different systems in your body. The force of the impact doesn't just disrupt the brain's function; it can also affect the vestibular system (your inner ear and balance system), the oculomotor system (how your eyes move and track), and the muscles and joints of your cervical spine (your neck).

These disruptions are what cause the cluster of symptoms that can make daily life so difficult. While rest is important, physical therapy focuses on targeted exercises to help each of these systems heal and function properly again.

A Multidimensional Approach to Recovery

A specialized physical therapist will first conduct a thorough evaluation to identify which systems have been affected by your concussion. This might include tests for balance, eye movement, and neck function. Based on these findings, they can create a personalized treatment plan that may include:

1. Vestibular Rehabilitation

This type of therapy is used to treat dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems. It involves specific exercises designed to retrain your brain to correctly interpret signals from your inner ear. These exercises can include gentle head movements, balance drills on different surfaces, and other activities that help your body and brain coordinate with each other.

2. Oculomotor (Vision) Therapy

After a concussion, many people experience symptoms like blurry vision, difficulty reading, or eye strain. A concussion physical therapist is skilled in screening for these visual impairments and can provide initial treatments, such as simple eye exercises and tracking drills. For more complex cases, or for patients with a pre-existing history of vision problems, a physical therapist will work collaboratively with a neuro-optometrist or an occupational therapist who has specialized training in vision. This team-based approach ensures you receive the most comprehensive care for all your symptoms.

3. Cervical (Neck) Treatment

As we've explored, the whiplash motion of a concussion often injures the neck. A physical therapist can use hands-on techniques and targeted exercises to reduce neck pain and stiffness. By treating the neck, we can often alleviate headaches and dizziness that are being caused by underlying cervical issues.

4. Autonomic Dysfunction Therapy

Sometimes, dizziness and lightheadedness after a concussion are not caused by a problem in the inner ear but by autonomic dysfunction. The autonomic nervous system controls automatic body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. After a concussion, it can get thrown out of balance, leading to symptoms like a racing heart, lightheadedness when you stand up, or dizziness with exercise. A physical therapist with specialty training can assess for this and guide you through a controlled exercise program to help retrain your nervous system and restore balance.

By taking a comprehensive approach and addressing all the affected systems, physical therapy can help you recover more fully and return to your daily activities safely. It moves beyond just managing symptoms and instead works to rehabilitate the underlying causes, helping you get back to feeling like yourself again.