A minor fall or hit can shake your brain more than you think. You might dismiss a concussion as “just a bump,” but they’re complex and often need more than a few days of rest.
Whether from sports or a fender bender, concussions can cause lasting issues like headaches, brain fog, balance problems, and mood swings. When this happens, concussion physical therapy can make a big difference to your recovery.
How do you know when to see a physical therapist? What warning signs can your body send you after a concussion that you might be ignoring? At JPM Physical Therapy, we provide concussion physical therapy in Queens, NY, and recommend making an appointment when you notice any of the following symptoms.
How Concussion Rehab Helps You Recover?
Concussions can cause various short-term metabolic changes in your brain. The injury and inflammation can disrupt brain chemistry, impacting multiple body systems. Besides the physical pain of your injury, the changes in chemical processes can affect your cognitive functioning, balance, vision, and nervous system.
The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport revealed that the sooner patients receive treatment for concussion symptoms, the faster they recover. Post-concussion rehab that includes physical therapy helps by:
- Reducing dizziness and vertigo with vestibular therapy that retrains your inner ear, brain, and eyes.
- Relieving vision issues with oculomotor and visual tracking exercises that strengthen eye movements and coordination.
- Relieving headaches and neck pain.
Concussion physical therapy supports a guided return to activity, helping you regain strength while reducing your symptoms to recover fully.
When To Seek Physical Therapy After a Concussion
According to research in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, patients who undergo physical therapy after a concussion are almost four times as likely to be cleared to return to sports within eight weeks as those who don’t. Many doctors consider this one reason they now recommend concussion physical therapy, especially for severe injuries.
Even mild concussions benefit from therapy to avoid long-term issues and speed recovery.
Your Symptoms Just Won’t Quit
You may feel a little off in the days right after a concussion. But if your symptoms last more than two weeks, you should talk to a specialist. These include:
- Headaches
- Brain fog
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Light and noise sensitivity
- Nausea when moving your head
Persistent symptoms may be a sign of post-concussion syndrome, a complication that affects about 15% of people, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A skilled therapist can tailor a graded activity program to help you recover safely.
You Feel Dizzy or Unsteady on Your Feet
If you feel like the room is spinning whenever you stand up or turn your head, you may be dealing with vestibular dysfunction. The vestibular system helps with balance and spatial awareness, and if it’s out of balance, simply walking in a straight line or turning your head can be challenging.
A physical therapist helps retrain your brain to process movement correctly through specialized techniques like balance training and gaze stabilization.
You Have Trouble Focusing or Processing Information
Concussions can scramble your brain’s ability to focus, multitask, or even remember simple things. If you’re finding it hard to return to work or school because your cognitive functions feel sluggish, it’s not your imagination.
Cognitive retraining is often part of concussion rehab. This includes exercises to help rebuild memory, attention span, and mental endurance.
Eye Movements Feel Strained or Uncomfortable
The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that up to 40% of children and adolescents have ocular concussion vision problems. Blurred vision, trouble reading, or difficulty focusing on moving objects indicate that something’s off with your oculomotor system (aka your eye-brain coordination). Including visual tracking exercises in concussion physical therapy helps retrain your eyes and brain to work together again.
Everyday Movement Triggers Symptoms
Are you avoiding exercise, driving, or even quick head turns because they spark headaches, dizziness, or a wave of nausea? These aren’t something you just “push through.” A well-designed graded activity program allows you to gradually increase physical activity without triggering symptoms.
What To Expect From Physical Therapy After a Concussion
Booking an appointment for physical therapy after a concussion isn’t signing up for a generic workout routine. Therapists evaluate your symptoms to develop a personalized game plan that might include:
- Vestibular therapy for dizziness and balance issues
- Balance training to rebuild your coordination and prevent falls
- Visual tracking exercises to improve eye-brain coordination
- Cognitive retraining for memory, focus, and processing speed
- A physical exercise program to safely reintroduce physical activity
Finding physical therapy in Queens, NY, specializing in concussion recovery can help you get your life back on track. Research in the journal Physical Therapy suggests that the sooner you begin physical therapy after a concussion, the faster you’ll improve.
Get Physical Therapy in Queens, NY
Concussions are invisible injuries that can still take a real toll. If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, don’t chalk it up to stress or assume it’ll go away. The sooner you begin concussion physical therapy, the better your chances for a full recovery.
To learn more about TBI recovery through physical therapy or schedule a consultation, call JPM Physical Therapy in Queens, NY, at (516) 689-9921. Doctors in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available,
FAQs About Physical Therapy After a Concussion
What Does Vestibular Therapy Involve After a Concussion?
Vestibular therapy includes customized exercises that help retrain your brain to correctly interpret signals from your inner ear and eyes. It can involve balance drills, head movement exercises, and gaze stabilization tasks to reduce dizziness, improve focus, and restore normal movement patterns.
Can Physical Therapy Help With the Mental Fog I’m Experiencing?
Post-concussion rehab often integrates cognitive retraining to help your brain re-establish lost connections. Your therapist may combine light physical tasks with memory, focus, or problem-solving challenges.
How Soon Should I Start Physical Therapy After a Concussion?
Starting concussion physical therapy within a few days to a week after injury can help promote faster recovery, especially if you experience balance issues, dizziness, or trouble concentrating.