5 Signs You May Need Concussion Rehab Therapy (That Most Places Overlook)

Recovering from a concussion can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re told to “just rest” or when therapy only scratches the surface of your symptoms. At A Rise Above Occupational Therapy, we know that recovery is never one-size-fits-all. Many people continue to struggle with headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or brain fog long after the injury—because crucial aspects of rehabilitation are being missed.

Here are 5 often-overlooked signs that you may benefit from specialized concussion rehab:

1. Your Nervous System Feels “Stuck”

If you notice heart rate spikes, dizziness, fatigue crashes, or an “always on edge” feeling, your autonomic nervous system may be out of balance. Many clinics overlook the vagus nerve and its role in calming the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). Without targeted interventions, dysautonomia can persist and keep you from fully healing.

2. Headaches and Eye Strain Won’t Go Away

Concussions often disrupt how the eyes move and work together. Standard eye exams might miss these changes. Vision remediation therapy addresses issues like fixation, tracking, and visual alignment—key contributors to headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty reading or using screens.

3. Body Awareness Feels Off

Do you ever feel disconnected from your body, overwhelmed by sensations, or triggered by past stress during recovery? That’s where interoception training and trauma-informed care come in. Supporting how the brain interprets internal signals (like hunger, fatigue, or pain) is critical, especially for those with a history of trauma.

4. Dizziness and Imbalance Stick Around

Persistent vertigo or unsteadiness may not just be “in your head.” Conditions like BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and vestibular hypofunctions are common after concussion. Specialized balance training can re-train your vestibular system so you can move with confidence again.

5. You Already Have ADHD or a Learning Difference

If you had ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning-related disorders before your concussion, recovery may feel harder and slower. That’s because your brain already processes differently compared to neurotypical individuals. Tailored strategies can help you overcome extra hurdles and avoid falling further behind at school, work, or in daily life.

The Bottom Line

Concussion rehab should be more than just waiting it out. If you see yourself in any of these signs, you deserve care that looks deeper. At A Rise Above Occupational Therapy, we combine neurological expertise, vision and vestibular rehab, and trauma-informed approaches to give you a true path forward—not just temporary relief.

If your recovery feels stuck, it may be because no one has addressed these hidden barriers. Let’s change that together.