Post Concussion Doctors

The world of concussions has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Gone are the days when we shrug our shoulders and “sleep it off.” Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are now getting the respect they deserve, mainly due to growing awareness about their long-term risks.

This article will outline the different types of post-concussion doctors and the types of care they offer. This is crucial information because finding relief for long-term symptoms can be confusing, frustrating, and expensive if you don’t know who to look for.

Let’s take a look.

Understanding Post-Concussion Symptoms

Post-concussion symptoms can show up in a variety of ways. They can occur immediately after the injury or weeks to months later. The list below outlines some of the more common symptoms that we see clinically following a concussion. Later in the article, we’ll discuss who you should see for each symptom.

Fatigue

The first few weeks of concussion recovery are usually marked by extreme fatigue. Everything from bright lights to light activity immediately sends you back to bed. While rest is important in the first 4-14 days of recovery, be sure not to “sleep it off” for too long. This makes adapting to normal activity much harder.

Memory challenges

Similar to fatigue, short-term memory problems are often very noticeable in the first few weeks of recovery. While they typically improve with time and activity, they can often linger well into the normal recovery timeline.

Dizziness and Nausea

People usually experience significant nausea right after the injury. Dizziness can persist well into the future and is also accompanied by nausea. It is classically defined as a sensation of movement or spinning when your body is not moving. Do not confuse this with lightheadedness, which is the feeling you get when you stand up too fast and feel like you might pass out. People with dizziness will also report balance difficulties and a new-found sense of clumsiness.

Light-headedness and Dysautonomia

These are symptoms that often underlie long recoveries. Autonomic problems can include an imbalance between the “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” responses. When you stand up and the blood flow response is delayed or broken, you may experience a brief sensation of passing out. Dysautonomia is also an umbrella term used to describe blood flow issues.

Headaches or Migraines

Headaches, especially ones that start in the upper back and move up into the base of the skull, are common post-concussion. If you’re already prone to migraines, they will typically rise in frequency and may become resistant to medication.

Eye Strain

Issues with eye function and strain are common following a concussion. Things like driving, following objects as they move, reading, and depth perception are challenging and often produce significant symptoms. The symptoms that occur when the eyes create issues are headache, nausea, fatigue, and brain fog.

Cognitive Challenges and Brain Fog

As symptoms persist, many people report a sensation known as “brain fog.” This is often used as a catch-all for cognitive challenges, such as slower thinking, an inability to focus for long periods or memory challenges.

Emotional Regulation

Many patients report problems controlling their temper and other challenging emotions. They report lashing out, impatience, and being more angry than usual. These symptoms usually come out when other symptoms flare up.

Sleep Problems and Fatigue

Sleep problems following a concussion are often paradoxical. People report feeling exhausted most of the time, but right before bedtime, they find it impossible to fall asleep. A good summary would be feeling “tired but wired.”

Recognizing these symptoms is the first step in seeking appropriate care from a post-concussion doctor.

What kind of post-concussion doctors are there?

There are many types of post-concussion doctors, but not all exclusively specialize in post-concussion care. For example, medical neurologists see brain injuries, but they also see a large variety of other conditions like Parkinson’s, strokes, and migraines.

Understanding this can give you appropriate expectations regarding what to expect when searching for post-concussion care. Be aware that if you’re dealing with a long recovery, you might see a handful of different concussion specialists before you see relief.

1. Neurologists

These post-concussion doctors are the ones you see first. They can help you rule out serious, life-threatening issues like a skull fracture, brain bleed, or other concussion-related trauma. They will typically take imaging and run special tests to ensure nothing dangerous happens.

2: Physical Therapy

For physical pain, this is usually the first referral made for most concussions. If the damage is more extensive, you may be referred to occupational or speech therapy to regain essential functions. PT is good for headaches, balance issues, dizziness, and pain.

3. Sports Medicine Physicians

These post-concussion doctors focus on head injuries related to sports and physical activities, providing expertise in return-to-play protocols. Their focus is to usher the athlete back to play safely and ensure there isn’t excessive risk for them to continue playing.

4. Functional Neurologists

The specialized branch of rehab is primarily chiropractors. They specialize in localizing concussive damage and providing appropriate rehab based on exam findings. As a general rule, if you’re having multiple symptoms simultaneously, a functional neurology provider is your best bet to get the most relief in the least amount of time.

5. Neuropsychologists

These specialists help with cognitive and emotional challenges resulting from a concussion, conducting assessments and therapy to support cognitive rehabilitation. They can pinpoint which cognitive functions are lagging behind and provide specialized rehab programs specific to the cognitive deficits.

6: Neuro-Optomotrists

When you have issues with eye function alone, these post-concussion doctors are a great option. They specialize in finding deficits in eye function, providing special glasses called prism lenses, and then administering vision therapy exercises to get you out of the glasses.

Steps to Finding the Right Post-Concussion Doctor

1. Referrals and Recommendations

Start with a referral from your primary care provider or recommendations from friends, family, or support groups. Tap support groups or others you know who have had a similar experience.

2. Research Credentials and Experience

Look for post-concussion doctors specializing in concussion management with substantial experience handling post-concussion syndromes. Check reviews and other patient experiences to ensure you’re aligned with their approach and philosophy.

3. Assess Their Approach to Treatment

Read the reviews and see if their approach aligns with yours. If you’re looking for a more holistic, less medical approach, their website or reviews are a great place to vet them ahead of time.

4. Consultation

Many post-concussion doctors offer free consultations. If so, take advantage of this and ensure you come prepared with a list of questions. These are good indicators if they make you feel heard, understood, and meaningful.

Expert Tips From Post-Concussion Doctors

Here are some tips we’ve collected over the years of treating post-concussion symptoms exclusively.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Try to understand whether everyone gets the same treatment plan or if there is room for customization. Prolonged concussion symptoms rarely respond well to cookie-cutter rehab programs.

Vestibular First

If dizziness is a main symptom, treat it first. We’ve seen many people try to treat neck pain or eye issues before resolving dizziness problems, and it doesn’t work.

Recovery Timelines

Click here for an article we wrote regarding the recovery timeline of a concussion. Follow them closely for a faster recovery.

Comprehensive Care Coordination

Integrating multiple specialists as needed for multifunctional treatment helps if they coordinate with each other.

Nutritional Guidelines

Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Supplementing fish oil and antioxidants like turmeric/resveratrol is helpful in the first month or two of recovery. The brain needs fat to repair the brain tissue (which is made of fat) and help clean out all the waste products from the injury. Choosing a that prioritizes blood sugar regulation is also helpful.

Conclusion

Recovery from a brain injury is often a winding road of ups and downs. Choosing the right care team can make all the difference in the world. This article helps cut through a lot of the menus and assists you in finding the right care team for your healing needs. Keep the faith, keep trying, and understand that setbacks are part of the process and necessary to moving forward consistently.

If you have questions about concussion recovery, click here to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. We’ve treated hundreds of complex neurologic cases and can help piece together the missing pieces in your recovery.

*Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Patients should consult their medical provider or primary care physician before trying any remedies or therapies at home.