Your headache or neck discomfort won’t quit, even though it has already been weeks since you hit your head. Post-concussion physical therapy might be one option to consider, and this post explains how it may support recovery.
JPM Physical Therapy, P.C., provides physical therapy in Queens, NY for patients working through concussion symptoms. In this guide, the team explains how physical therapy comes in when you receive a post-concussion syndrome diagnosis and when to schedule your sessions.
Can Physical Therapy Help With Concussion Symptoms?
Physical therapy can help with many lingering symptoms of a concussion, which is a mild traumatic brain injury. Interestingly, the Brain Injury Association of America shares that 81% of U.S. adults do not realize that concussions are classified as traumatic brain injuries. However, understanding the nature of these injuries does explain why they often disrupt how your brain processes the incoming signals from your eyes, inner ear, nerves, and neck.
When signals stay out of sync, you may keep experiencing headaches, dizziness, neck pain, and other concussion symptoms for a while after the initial injury. This is exactly the kind of case where post-concussion physical therapy tends to be recommended.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome?
According to the CDC’s traumatic brain injury data, there were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in the United States in 2020. Most concussion symptoms resolve within 7 to 10 days. When symptoms last longer than two to four weeks, a doctor may diagnose post-concussion syndrome and refer you to physical therapy to target what’s not improving on its own.
Doctors generally consider a diagnosis when three or more of the following types of symptoms continue for weeks or months after the injury:
- Headache: Ongoing head pain may worsen with activity or screen time.
- Neck pain: Stiffness or soreness can linger in the neck and shoulders.
- Dizziness or vertigo: You frequently have a spinning or off-balance sensation.
- Sleep problems: You have trouble falling or staying asleep.
- Sensitivity to light or motion: You feel discomfort in bright rooms or busy environments when you didn’t before.
Doctors haven’t fully identified why some people develop post-concussion syndrome while others recover quickly. A Journal of Neurotrauma prevalence study on post-concussion syndrome found that rates ranged from 11.4% to 38.7%, depending on which diagnostic criteria were applied.
How Physical Therapy Addresses Neck Pain and Headaches
A physical therapy evaluation for concussion symptoms typically looks at several body systems at once. For example, your therapist will likely check your neck for tightness or restricted movement, since these injuries commonly accompany head trauma and can drive headaches on their own.
When your head absorbs an impact, the muscles at the base of your skull and along your cervical spine tend to tighten protectively, and that tension can linger. Cervical spine therapy addresses this directly. Your therapist may use manual techniques and strengthening exercises to restore mobility and ease the muscle guarding to lift your pain.
The evaluation may also include vestibular and eye-movement testing, as vision problems can play a role in headaches and neck pain. If your eyes struggle to track smoothly after a concussion, you might unconsciously tilt or hold your head in an awkward position to compensate, which adds more strain to already tense muscles.
A thorough, multisystem evaluation is a defining feature of post-concussion physical therapy. Your therapist might ask you to track a moving object or turn your head at different speeds. They build a plan around the systems that need the most support, mixing hands-on treatments with guided exercises.
How Vestibular Rehabilitation Supports Balance and Coordination
The vestibular system, located mostly in your inner ear, sends your brain constant updates about motion and head position. A concussion can disrupt how well that information gets processed, resulting in:
- Dizziness or a spinning sensation, even while sitting still
- Trouble with coordination while walking or standing
- Nausea triggered by head movement
- A feeling of being seasick without being near water
Vestibular rehabilitation uses targeted habituation exercises to gradually expose your brain to the movements that trigger symptoms and build tolerance.
Headache Management and Graduated Return to Activity
Headache management after a concussion usually combines several approaches. Manual therapy aimed at the neck and shoulders can ease tension-related headaches, while vestibular and vision exercises may address headaches tied to eye strain or motion sensitivity. Light aerobic activity, introduced carefully within the first couple of days, may also help rather than hinder recovery for many patients.
Your therapist may start you with a few minutes of walking or light cycling, then slowly increase duration and intensity. Most programs also include exercises to continue at home.
Move Past Lingering Symptoms With Outpatient Physical Therapy in Queens, NY
Post-concussion physical therapy addresses the neck tightness and vestibular disruption that often keep concussion symptoms lingering. The JPM Physical Therapy, P.C., team works with patients dealing with post-concussion syndrome. We also offer physical therapy for neck pain as part of a broader recovery plan.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call JPM Physical Therapy, P.C., today at (516) 689-9921 to schedule a consultation in Queens, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are questions people often ask regarding concussion recovery through physical therapy.
How Soon After a Concussion Should You Start Physical Therapy?
Many providers suggest starting physical therapy if symptoms like headaches or neck pain have not improved within seven days of your injury.
Does Insurance Typically Cover Physical Therapy for a Concussion?
Insurance plans, including workers’ compensation and no-fault coverage, may cover physical therapy when it is prescribed for a diagnosed concussion or post-concussion syndrome.
Can Physical Therapy Help With Concussion-Related Dizziness?
Vestibular rehabilitation, a form of physical therapy focused on the inner ear and balance system, may help reduce concussion-related dizziness over time.
What Does a Typical Post-Concussion Physical Therapy Session Involve?
Your post-concussion physical therapy session may include neck-focused manual therapy with vestibular and balance exercises. You can also expect gradual activity training based on your specific symptoms.
