Post-Concussion Syndrome
If you're searching for a "concussion clinic near me" or wondering why your post-concussion dizziness won't go away, we're here to help. At Dizzy Free PT in Fishers, Indiana, we specialize in treating vestibular problems after concussion. And we're going to walk you through exactly why this happens and how specialized vestibular therapy can finally get you back to feeling like yourself again.
Let's start with the basics.
And here's where it gets frustrating: vestibular symptoms are some of the most common and some of the most debilitating after a concussion.[2]
Your brain might have healed metabolically after a few weeks. But that doesn't mean everything inside your head is working the way it should.
When you hit your head or experience rapid acceleration/deceleration, the trauma doesn't just affect your brain tissue. It can also damage your vestibular system, the delicate inner ear structures and neural pathways that control your balance, spatial orientation, and eye movements.
Think of it like this: even though the main injury healed, the systems that help you stay balanced and oriented got knocked out of sync. And they're not going to magically recalibrate on their own.
These symptoms aren't random. They're signs that your vestibular system needs retraining.
Here's the thing about post-concussion dizziness: there's no pill that fixes it.
You can take medication to manage symptoms temporarily—to reduce nausea or calm your system—but that's just putting a Band-Aid on the problem. It doesn't retrain your brain or restore function.
That's where vestibular rehabilitation comes in.
Another study showed that patients who got vestibular therapy within 30 days of their concussion returned to normal activities in an average of 13.5 days compared to 17 days for those who didn't receive treatment.[5]
Every treatment plan is customized. What works for someone with BPPV won't be the same as what helps someone with VOR dysfunction.
We've heard it all before: "My doctor said to just rest." "The neurologist said there's nothing wrong." "Physical therapy made me worse."
Here's what sets us apart:
We understand that concussion recovery is different from treating someone with a standard inner ear problem. Your symptoms might fluctuate. You might need to pace your treatment differently. And we know how to navigate that.
We take the time to understand your specific symptoms, what triggers them, and how they're impacting your life. Because effective treatment starts with really understanding what you're dealing with.
We'll also give you realistic expectations about your timeline for improvement—because we know you need to plan your life.
One of the most common questions we hear: "How long until I feel better?"
That said, here's what research and our clinical experience tell us:
We've seen people go from daily debilitating dizziness to symptom-free in just a few weeks. And we've worked with others who needed several months of gradual progression. Your recovery is unique to you.
What we can promise: we'll be with you every step of the way, adjusting as needed and celebrating every win.
If you're experiencing any of the following, it's time to see a vestibular specialist:
Here's the truth: waiting and hoping it gets better on its own rarely works when vestibular dysfunction is involved.
The longer you wait, the more your brain compensates with unhealthy movement patterns and avoidance behaviors. These can become habits that are harder to break later.
You don't have to live with constant dizziness. You don't have to keep missing out on life.
You deserve answers. And you deserve to feel better.
Why Does My Dizziness Keep Coming Back After a Concussion?
Carly Clevenger
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12 min read
Struggling with dizziness after a concussion? Learn why post-concussion dizziness persists, the most common vestibular problems after head injury, and how specialized vestibular therapy can help you recover faster. Expert post-concussion treatment in Fishers, IN.
Have you been told you're "cleared" from your concussion, but you still can't drive without feeling like the world is tilting? Or maybe you made it back to work, only to leave early because your head spins every time you look at a screen or turn too quickly?
You're not going crazy. And you're definitely not alone.
Post-concussion dizziness is one of the most frustrating symptoms because it doesn't always show up on scans. You can have a "normal" MRI and still feel like you're living on a boat. But here's the truth: just because traditional imaging doesn't catch it doesn't mean your symptoms aren't real or fixable.
If you're searching for a "concussion clinic near me" or wondering why your post-concussion dizziness won't go away, we're here to help. At Dizzy Free PT in Fishers, Indiana, we specialize in treating vestibular problems after concussion. And we're going to walk you through exactly why this happens and how specialized vestibular therapy can finally get you back to feeling like yourself again.
What Is Post-Concussion Syndrome, Anyway?
Let's start with the basics.
A concussion happens when your brain gets shaken around inside your skull. This can occur from a direct blow to the head, whiplash from a car accident, or even rapid head movements during sports or a fall.
Most people recover from concussions within a couple of weeks. But for up to 30% of people, symptoms persist well beyond that initial healing period.[1] When symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and brain fog stick around for more than three months, it's called post-concussion syndrome (PCS).
And here's where it gets frustrating: vestibular symptoms are some of the most common and some of the most debilitating after a concussion.[2]
Why Dizziness Persists After Your Concussion "Heals"
Your brain might have healed metabolically after a few weeks. But that doesn't mean everything inside your head is working the way it should.
When you hit your head or experience rapid acceleration/deceleration, the trauma doesn't just affect your brain tissue. It can also damage your vestibular system, the delicate inner ear structures and neural pathways that control your balance, spatial orientation, and eye movements.
Think of it like this: even though the main injury healed, the systems that help you stay balanced and oriented got knocked out of sync. And they're not going to magically recalibrate on their own.
Here's What's Really Going On
Research shows that 50-84% of people report dizziness after a sport-related concussion.[3] That's not a small percentage. And when vestibular dysfunction is present, it's associated with significantly longer recovery times.
One study found that children with vestibular problems after concussion took 56 days to return to school compared to just 6 days for those without vestibular issues. They also needed 106 days to be cleared for sports versus 29 days.[3]
So if you're still struggling weeks or months later, it's not in your head (well, technically it is—but you know what we mean). There's a real, physical reason you're still dizzy.
Common Symptoms You Might Be Experiencing
Post-concussion dizziness doesn't look the same for everyone. You might experience:
• Constant "off" feeling - Like you're walking on a boat or never quite steady
• Spinning sensations (vertigo) - Especially when you change positions quickly
• Visual disturbances - Words jumping around on a page, screens making you nauseous, trouble in busy environments like grocery stores
• Balance problems - Needing to hold onto walls, avoiding stairs, feeling unstable
• Motion sensitivity - Car rides, elevators, or scrolling on your phone trigger symptoms
• Headaches that worsen with movement - Especially when bending over or looking up
• Nausea - Particularly with head movements or in visually busy places
• Difficulty concentrating - Brain fog that gets worse when you're symptomatic
• Light and sound sensitivity - Everything feels too bright, too loud, too much
These symptoms aren't random. They're signs that your vestibular system needs retraining.
The Most Common Vestibular Problems After Concussion
Not all post-concussion dizziness is created equal. Different parts of your vestibular system can be affected, and identifying which one is key to effective treatment.
BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo)
This is the most common vestibular problem after a concussion, affecting 10-57% of concussed patients.[4] BPPV happens when tiny calcium crystals in your inner ear get knocked loose during the injury and end up in the wrong place.
With BPPV, you'll notice brief spinning episodes triggered by specific head movements—rolling over in bed, looking up at a shelf, or bending down to tie your shoes.
The good news? BPPV is very treatable with specific positioning maneuvers.
Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) Dysfunction
Your VOR is what keeps your vision stable when your head moves. When it's damaged, you might notice:
• Blurry vision when walking or turning your head
• Words bouncing on the page when you try to read
• Difficulty tracking moving objects
• Increased dizziness with head movements
Visual Motion Sensitivity
If scrolling through your phone makes you nauseous, or walking through a busy store feels overwhelming, you might have visual motion sensitivity. This happens when your brain has trouble processing busy visual environments after a concussion.
Balance and Gait Problems
Your balance system relies on input from your inner ear, vision, and proprioception (body awareness). When your vestibular system is compromised, your brain struggles to integrate these signals properly, making you feel unsteady.
How Vestibular Therapy Helps Concussion Recovery
Here's the thing about post-concussion dizziness: there's no pill that fixes it.
You can take medication to manage symptoms temporarily—to reduce nausea or calm your system—but that's just putting a Band-Aid on the problem. It doesn't retrain your brain or restore function.
That's where vestibular rehabilitation comes in.
Vestibular therapy is a specialized form of physical therapy designed to retrain your brain and inner ear systems to work together properly again. It's not generic balance exercises. It's targeted, progressive treatment based on exactly what's not working in your specific case.
What Makes Vestibular Therapy Effective
Research shows that vestibular rehabilitation significantly reduces symptoms and speeds up recovery after concussion.[5] One study found that people who received early vestibular therapy recovered nearly twice as fast as those who didn't.[5]
Another study showed that patients who got vestibular therapy within 30 days of their concussion returned to normal activities in an average of 13.5 days compared to 17 days for those who didn't receive treatment.[5]
That might not sound like a huge difference—but when you're dizzy and missing work or school, every day counts.
The Key Components of Effective Treatment
Our approach at Dizzy Free PT includes:
• Gaze stabilization exercises - Retraining your eyes to stay focused during head movements
• Habituation exercises - Gradually exposing you to movements or environments that trigger symptoms to desensitize your system
• Balance and postural training - Rebuilding confidence and stability in everyday activities
• Canalith repositioning (if BPPV is present) - Getting those loose crystals back where they belong
• Cervical (neck) treatment when needed - Many concussions come with neck injuries that contribute to dizziness
• Visual exercises - Improving eye tracking and reducing visual motion sensitivity
Every treatment plan is customized. What works for someone with BPPV won't be the same as what helps someone with VOR dysfunction.
What Makes Our Approach Different
We've heard it all before: "My doctor said to just rest." "The neurologist said there's nothing wrong." "Physical therapy made me worse."
And we get it. Post-concussion care can feel like a frustrating guessing game.
Here's what sets us apart:
We Specialize in Vestibular Disorders
Not all physical therapists are trained in vestibular rehabilitation. And not all vestibular therapists specialize in post-concussion care. We do both.
We understand that concussion recovery is different from treating someone with a standard inner ear problem. Your symptoms might fluctuate. You might need to pace your treatment differently. And we know how to navigate that.
We Listen and Believe You
We know how frustrating it is to be told "everything looks normal" when you feel anything but normal.
We take the time to understand your specific symptoms, what triggers them, and how they're impacting your life. Because effective treatment starts with really understanding what you're dealing with.
We Give You a Clear Roadmap
You'll know exactly what's wrong, why you're still symptomatic, and what we're going to do about it. No vague "let's see how it goes" approaches.
We'll also give you realistic expectations about your timeline for improvement—because we know you need to plan your life.
Treatment Timeline: What to Expect
One of the most common questions we hear: "How long until I feel better?"
The honest answer: it depends on how severe your symptoms are, how long you've had them, and whether other issues (like neck problems or migraines) are complicating things.
That said, here's what research and our clinical experience tell us:
• Most patients see improvement within 2-4 weeks of starting treatment, especially if they begin therapy early after their concussion
• Typical treatment duration is 4-8 weeks, with sessions once or twice per week
• Some patients need longer, particularly if symptoms have been present for months or if there are multiple issues at play
• Early intervention matters - The sooner you start proper vestibular therapy, the faster you're likely to recover
We've seen people go from daily debilitating dizziness to symptom-free in just a few weeks. And we've worked with others who needed several months of gradual progression. Your recovery is unique to you.
What we can promise: we'll be with you every step of the way, adjusting as needed and celebrating every win.
When Should You Seek Specialized Care?
If you're experiencing any of the following, it's time to see a vestibular specialist:
• Your dizziness or balance problems are lasting longer than 2-3 weeks after your concussion
• You were told you're "cleared" but still don't feel right
• Your symptoms are getting worse or not improving with rest
• You're missing work, school, or activities you love because of your symptoms
• You're avoiding driving, exercise, or social situations because of dizziness
• You've tried general physical therapy but it didn't help or made things worse
• You're experiencing specific positional vertigo (room spinning when you move)
Here's the truth: waiting and hoping it gets better on its own rarely works when vestibular dysfunction is involved.
The longer you wait, the more your brain compensates with unhealthy movement patterns and avoidance behaviors. These can become habits that are harder to break later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have vestibular problems even if my MRI was normal?
Absolutely. MRIs look for structural damage like bleeding or swelling. They don't detect functional problems with how your vestibular system is working. Many vestibular issues after concussion are functional, not structural.
Is it too late to get treatment if my concussion was months or years ago?
No. While earlier intervention tends to lead to faster recovery, we've successfully treated people whose concussions happened years ago. Your brain can still learn and adapt.
Will vestibular therapy make me more dizzy?
Some exercises may temporarily increase symptoms—that's actually part of how your brain learns to recalibrate. But we carefully manage your symptom levels and adjust exercises so you're challenged without being overwhelmed.
What if I've already tried vestibular therapy and it didn't work?
There could be several reasons: the therapist may not have specialized training in post-concussion care, other issues (like neck dysfunction or migraines) might be contributing and weren't addressed, or the exercises weren't specific enough for your particular problem. It's worth getting a fresh evaluation from a specialist.
Can I still play sports or exercise?
This depends on your symptoms and where you are in recovery. We'll work with you to develop a safe, gradual return to activity plan. The goal isn't to keep you sidelined forever—it's to get you back to what you love, safely.
Ready to Get Your Life Back?
You don't have to live with constant dizziness. You don't have to keep missing out on life.
If you're in Fishers, Carmel, Indianapolis, or anywhere in Central Indiana, we're here to help you understand what's really going on and create a personalized plan to get you back to feeling steady, confident, and like yourself again.
Take the first step today.
Call us at (317) 804-1222 or request a free consultation through our website.
We'll take the time to listen to your story, evaluate your symptoms, and give you a clear explanation of what's happening and how we can help.
You deserve answers. And you deserve to feel better.
We do more than treat symptoms — we listen, dig deep, and help you understand what's really going on. Through expert care, honest guidance, and a whole lot of support, we help you move from feeling overwhelmed to steady, confident, and back in control.
References
- Ellis MJ, et al. "Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in pediatric sports-related concussion." Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. 2015.
- Corwin DJ, et al. "Vestibular deficits following youth concussion." Journal of Pediatrics. 2015.
- Kontos AP, et al. "Vestibular dysfunction and concussion." Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444639547000148
- Marcus HJ, et al. "Post-concussive Dizziness: A Review and Clinical Approach to the Patient." Frontiers in Neurology. 2022. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8764304/
- Schneider KJ, et al. "Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation after Concussion: A Systematic Review." Brain Injury. 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819464/
