The Problem with Concussion Care in the U.S.
Concussions are often dismissed as minor injuries, yet they can have life-altering consequences if not properly treated. Despite growing awareness, concussion care in the U.S. remains fragmented and outdated. Many individuals are told to “rest and wait it out” or are given symptom-masking medications without addressing the underlying neurological dysfunction. As a result, post-concussion symptoms can persist for months or even years, leading to chronic headaches, dizziness, cognitive difficulties, emotional instability, and a drastically reduced quality of life.
Additionally, standard imaging techniques like MRIs and CT scans rarely detect the functional disruptions caused by concussions, leading many patients to be told that “everything looks normal”—even when their daily life is anything but. This gap in care leaves many struggling without effective solutions, prolonging their suffering and limiting their ability to return to work, school, or physical activity.
Chronic Post-Concussion Symptoms: A Silent Epidemic
While many people recover from concussions within a few weeks, up to 30% of individuals experience persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS) lasting longer than three months. These symptoms can include chronic headaches, dizziness, brain fog, sensitivity to light and sound, and emotional disturbances.
- In the United States, it is estimated that 1.5 to 3 million people suffer from long-term concussion symptoms each year.
- In Oregon, approximately 9,000 individuals annually develop persistent symptoms following a concussion, affecting their ability to work, study, and engage in daily life.
These staggering numbers highlight the urgent need for better concussion management and rehabilitation programs that go beyond symptom-masking strategies.
Best Practices in Concussion Care
Emerging research and clinical advancements have revolutionized how concussions should be treated. The most effective approach focuses on identifying and rehabilitating the neurological systems disrupted by injury. These include:
- Vestibular Rehabilitation: Addressing balance and dizziness issues by retraining the inner ear and brain to work together properly.
- Oculomotor Therapy: Correcting visual disturbances by strengthening eye tracking, coordination, and focus.
- Proprioceptive Training: Restoring body awareness and movement control by re-integrating feedback from muscles and joints.
- Neurocognitive Therapy: Improving concentration, memory, and processing speed through targeted brain exercises.
- Neuromodulation: Using advanced techniques like non-invasive brain stimulation to restore proper neural function and improve recovery.
How We Are Leading the Change
We take a proactive, evidence-based approach to concussion care. Our neurodiagnostic assessments allow us to pinpoint the exact dysfunctions caused by a concussion—whether they stem from vestibular, oculomotor, proprioceptive, or cognitive impairments. From there, we create a personalized rehabilitation plan designed to reestablish proper neurological function, rather than just managing symptoms.
Our program offers intensive or gradual treatment options, spanning 16 hours in the clinic, ensuring that recovery is not only effective but also accessible. Patients often experience significant improvements in symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog—allowing them to regain control of their lives.
The Research Behind the Change
New studies continue to validate the need for a more dynamic, rehabilitation-focused approach to concussions:
- Vestibular therapy has been shown to reduce symptoms like dizziness and balance issues in over 80% of concussion patients.
- Eye movement rehabilitation has been found to improve cognitive function and reading ability in those experiencing post-concussion visual disturbances.
- Neuromodulation techniques have demonstrated the ability to accelerate brain recovery by stimulating neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and heal.
By applying this research directly into patient care, we are ensuring that individuals receive the best possible treatment for their recovery.
Advocacy: Changing the Way We Approach Concussions
While concussion research has advanced, healthcare policies and insurance coverage have lagged behind. Many high-value treatments are not widely reimbursed, leaving patients with limited access to effective care. Advocacy is needed to:
- Push for insurance coverage of evidence-based rehabilitation techniques.
- Educate healthcare providers on modern concussion management.
- Implement better post-concussion care guidelines in schools and workplaces.
The Impact: Transforming Lives in Oregon
The need for improved concussion care is vast. In Oregon alone, an estimated 30,000 concussions occur annually, affecting athletes, workers, and everyday individuals. Without proper intervention, many of these cases can lead to long-term disability. By providing accessible, science-backed treatment, we are not only improving individual lives but also reducing the broader economic and healthcare burden associated with post-concussion syndrome.
A Future of Better Brain Health
Our long-term vision is to reshape concussion care at both the clinical and policy levels. We aim to:
- Expand our treatment programs to reach more individuals in need.
- Collaborate with researchers to further validate and refine high-value therapies.
- Advocate for systemic changes that make effective concussion care the standard, not the exception.
The future of concussion recovery is bright, but it requires a shift in how we diagnose, treat, and support those affected. By combining cutting-edge science, compassionate care, and strong advocacy, we can create a world where concussions no longer derail lives but are met with solutions that lead to full and lasting recovery.