Conditions
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body. Most people feel better within a couple of weeks, according to the CDC, but some people have symptoms that last longer. If that is you, we can look at how your nervous system is working, including balance, eye movements, and autonomic regulation, and build a plan around what we find.
After a head injury, call 911 or go to an emergency department right away if an adult has any of these signs, as listed by the CDC (page dated September 15, 2025):
A headache that gets worse and does not go away
Weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions, or seizures
Repeated vomiting
Slurred speech or unusual behavior
One pupil larger than the other
Confusion, restlessness, or agitation, or not recognizing people or places
Losing consciousness, looking very drowsy, or being impossible to wake
Children have a few extra warning signs, such as crying that cannot be calmed or refusing to nurse or eat. If you have not been seen by a doctor after a head injury, start there.
Symptoms differ from person to person and can change as you recover. The CDC groups them as physical, thinking and remembering, social or emotional, and sleep. When symptoms linger, people often describe:
Fatigue that does not match their activity level
Brain fog and slowed thinking
Light and sound sensitivity beyond what they had before the injury
Headache, dizziness, or visual strain
Poor sleep, irritability, or feeling overwhelmed by stimulation
Symptoms that get worse with exertion, screens, or busy environments
Symptoms that last for months have their own page: Post-Concussion Syndrome.
The CDC says most people feel better within a couple of weeks. Mayo Clinic describes symptoms that typically last longer than three months as persistent post-concussive symptoms. Recovery looks different for everyone, and no one can promise you a timeline.
A concussion is a brain injury. When symptoms linger, our view is that specific networks involved in balance, vision, autonomic control, and cognition may not have recovered. We take a functional neurology approach to look at which networks may still be off and design exercises to challenge them. You can read what that evaluation involves on our Neurological Exam & Evaluation page.
Lingering symptoms are also frequently mixed. The same impact often injures the neck and the visual and vestibular systems, each adding load that keeps the brain from recovering. In our view, it helps to look at which networks may be underperforming, rather than only waiting for symptoms to clear. Follow your doctor's guidance on rest and return to activity.
A vestibular concussion is a head injury that disrupts the balance system: the inner ear, brainstem, and cerebellar networks that keep you steady and your vision stable. The headache may clear while dizziness, unsteadiness, and motion sensitivity persist. Common signs include:
Dizziness or unsteadiness that began after a head injury
Motion sensitivity or discomfort in busy visual environments
Blurred or bouncing vision with head movement
Difficulty with balance, uneven ground, or quick turns
Symptoms that get worse with screens, crowds, or car travel
A 2022 systematic review of seven randomised trials (266 people) concluded that vestibular rehabilitation "seems to be a valid approach" for dizziness after a concussion (Healthcare, 2022). The balance system can adapt, and vestibular rehabilitation is designed to support that adaptation. See also Vestibular Rehabilitation and our Vertigo & Balance page.
Cumulative concussion effects are the lingering symptoms that can build up from repeated head impacts over time, in contact sports, falls, or military service, even when no single hit seemed severe. Repeated impacts can add up, and some people notice persistent fog, headaches, and mood changes. We take a history of all your impacts and look at which networks may not have recovered. Mayo Clinic lists a prior brain injury among the factors linked to longer-lasting symptoms. If you have had more than one concussion, tell us about all of them.
Vision problems, headaches, and sleep problems after a concussion are covered on our Post-Concussion Syndrome page.
Most people feel better within a couple of weeks, according to the CDC. For some people symptoms last months or longer. See Post-Concussion Syndrome.
Right away if you or someone else has any of the warning signs listed above, such as a headache that keeps getting worse, repeated vomiting, seizures, or confusion.
Dr. Wright is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced training in functional neurology. Our evaluation looks at balance, eye movements, and autonomic regulation, and we see our care as complementary to your medical care. If you have not been evaluated by a doctor since your injury, see one first.
It starts with a complimentary consultation, a conversation about your symptoms, history, and goals. Read more about what to expect.
If you are looking for a concussion clinic close to home, see our pages for:
Next steps
Your symptoms are part of the story, and we'd love to help you understand the rest.