How Neurological Physical Therapy and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Work Together After a Concussion

Understanding Concussion Recovery

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or sudden jolt to the head. It can also happen when a hit to the body causes the head to move rapidly back and forth. Even though concussions are often called “mild,” the symptoms that follow can be complex and sometimes persistent without the right support.

Common symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Nausea
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Blurred vision
•  Brain fog
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory challenge
• Slowed thinking
• Irritability or anxiety
• Changes in sleep patterns

Many people are surprised to learn that concussion symptoms rarely come from just one system. The brain relies on the vestibular system, visual system, and cervical spine working together. When communication between these systems becomes disrupted, symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and difficulty focusing can occur. This is where collaborative care between neurological physical therapy and upper cervical chiropractic care can make a meaningful difference.

What Is Neurological Physical Therapy?

Neurological physical therapy focuses on movement, balance, and nervous system recovery. It is commonly used for conditions such as CVA (stroke), Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injury.

After a concussion, imaging often appears normal, yet patients may still feel off. The brain may struggle to process motion, visual input, or head position accurately. These symptoms are real, common, and treatable.

Neurological physical therapists evaluate how the brain, eyes, inner ear, and cervical spine work together. Treatment focuses on restoring coordination between these systems so patients can safely return to daily life, sport, and work.

Why Dizziness Happens After a Concussion

Dizziness is one of the most common and frustrating post-concussion symptoms. Often, it stems from disruption within the vestibular system, which helps control balance and eye movements.

When the vestibular system is affected, people may experience:

•  Spinning sensations
• Unsteadiness when walking
• Nausea with head movement
• Difficulty focusing the eyes

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy helps retrain the brain’s response to movement. These exercises are progressive, individualized, and designed to rebuild confidence while reducing symptom sensitivity.

How Neurological Physical Therapy Supports Recovery

Every concussion presents differently, but treatment may include:

Vestibular Rehabilitation
Targeted head, eye, and balance exercises that help recalibrate how the brain processes motion.

Balance and Gait Training
Strategies to improve stability, coordination, and overall confidence with movement.

Visual Tracking and Eye Movement Training
Because vision and balance are closely connected, improving eye coordination can significantly reduce dizziness and headaches.

Graded Return-to-Activity Programs
A structured approach to rebuilding tolerance for physical and cognitive activity without overwhelming the nervous system.

The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care in Concussion Recovery

Many concussions also involve the cervical spine. Falls, sports injuries, and car accidents often create strain or dysfunction in the upper neck, which can contribute to ongoing symptoms.

Neck involvement may present as:

• Persistent headaches
• Dizziness or head pressure
• Limited neck mobility
• Ongoing neck discomfort

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on improving alignment, mobility, and communication between the neck and nervous system. Gentle adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and postural strategies can help reduce mechanical stress and improve how the brain receives positional information from the neck.

Why Collaborative Care Matters

Concussion recovery is rarely one-size-fits-all. The vestibular system, visual system, brain, and cervical spine all contribute to how someone feels during recovery.

When neurological physical therapy and upper cervical chiropractic care work together, patients benefit from a more comprehensive approach:

1. Neurological physical therapy evaluates vestibular, visual, and balance function
2. Upper cervical chiropractic care addresses cervical spine mechanics
3. Providers collaborate to ensure treatments complement one another
4. Patients receive care that supports both neurological processing and cervical health

This collaborative model allows each provider to focus on their specialty while working toward the same goal: helping patients return to the activities they love.

Recovery Is Possible

Lingering concussion symptoms can feel frustrating, especially when progress is slower than expected. But recovery is absolutely possible when treatment addresses the full picture of neurological and cervical contributions.

If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing concussion symptoms, working with a neurological physical therapist at Atomic Physical Therapy alongside the team at Atlas Chiropractic may help guide the next step forward.

Healing takes patience, but with the right care team, meaningful progress can happen.

Schedule with Dr. Kat at Atomic Physical Therapy to begin your neurological and vestibular evaluation. If you’re curious whether your neck may also be contributing to your symptoms, you can also schedule an assessment with Dr. Alison and the team at Atlas Chiropractic to explore the upper cervical side of concussion recovery.