Dynamic Physical Therapy
Concussion in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Find Healing and Recovery After a Concussion in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Whether mild headaches and dizziness or frightening seizures and loss of consciousness, the impact of trauma takes longer to fully mend than most anticipate. Counteracting concussion effects through targeted physical and occupational therapy facilitates remarkable transformations. At Dynamic Physical Therapy, our post-concussion rehabilitation specialists know how to systematically progress stimulus exposure, allowing your brain to rebuild neuronal connections until the fog lifts and life regains clarity.
What Is a Concussion and What Causes Symptoms?
Concussions represent alterations in neurological function rather than actual structural brain damage, meaning most recovery timeframes are temporary as chemicals and pathways normalize with rest and proper interventions. Rapid acceleration or violent deceleration creates shear forces that disrupt cellular metabolism, leading to more vulnerable function. Symptoms emerge from complex imbalances in excitatory and inhibitory responses.
1. Physical Issues
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Visual changes
- Sensitivity to stimul
2. Cognitive Deficits
- Haziness
- Lack of focus or clarity
- Memory lapses
Lindsey Welker
A huge thanks to Ariel who helped me through some muscle tightness in a few different places that was preventing me from sleeping! She put together a program that I am still using even tho I’m not going to PT anymore. Also the dry needling was so helpful in getting my muscles to relax and repair. I appreciate that you are the only client during your appointment and also that they will work with you on reschedules! Thanks again Dynamic PT!
Matt Nicolai
I came here for rehab after having ACL reconstruction surgery and had a great experience! I worked with Kevin who was always friendly, patient during the ups and downs of the rehab process, knew when to push me further, and now I’m able to start doing the things I love again. The whole staff is excellent from the front desk to the other trainers, it’s a welcoming place to be. If you’re looking for individual attention, not crowded, and a place to get healed come here!
3. Sleep Disturbances
- Exhaustion paired with restlessness
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
4. Mood Changes
- Irritability
- Emotional instability
- Depression
Navigating Recovery Through Personalized Concussion Care in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Each client’s response to concussive trauma is unique, influenced by injury mechanics, health history, and genetics, requiring customized care.
Recovery Path Includes:
- Acute Rest: Restrict stimulation, including screens, reading, and exercise, to allow neurons initial healing.
- Subthreshold Aerobic Training: Light cardio enhances blood flow to repair damaged metabolic processes.
- Targeted Nutrition: Brain-balancing compounds like DHA and B vitamins provide raw materials for neurotransmitter rebuilding.
- Controlled Sensory Exposure: Systematic vestibular, visual, and balance challenges progressively intensify input, allowing sensory pathways to adapt.
- Neuromuscular Retraining: Coordination drills strengthen connections between the brain and musculoskeletal function.
We continually adjust protocols based on symptoms, avoiding overexertion. Patience and lifestyle adaptation help recovery last long-term.
Why Specialized Concussion Therapy in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT Matters
Traditional concussion management often includes generic recommendations such as light aerobic activity or vitamin supplementation, which may prove inefficient for long-term recovery. Sensory dysfunction and other lingering issues require targeted rehabilitation.
Our Post-Concussion Therapy Includes:
- Quicker Symptom Resolution: Specialized testing quantifies specific deficits, guiding customized vestibular, ocular, and balance retraining. Patients experience faster relief from light/noise sensitivity, brain fog, and fatigue.
- Enhanced Cognitive Efficiency: Multi-step reasoning and memory drills rebuild mental endurance, critical for school or occupational demands.
- Restored Athletic Performance: Protected return-to-play protocols ensure full recovery and mitigate risks before resuming contact sports.
- Lifelong Balance Reactions: Retraining balanced muscle firing patterns through progressively intensified training rewires innate equilibrium responses, reducing long-term spatial vulnerability.
FAQs: Key Concussion Recovery Questions
What is the average concussion recovery timeframe?
Recovery time varies, but research indicates primary concussion symptoms often resolve within 1–2 months. Athletes, particularly teens, may take closer to 3 months with targeted therapy.
What therapy works best to heal a concussion?
Controlled subthreshold cardiovascular training enhances cerebral blood flow. Advanced vestibular rehabilitation—including balance challenges, eye movement desensitization, and visual tracking training—proves vital in restoring disrupted functions.
What helps concussion symptoms resolve fastest?
Avoid sensory overload early on by limiting technology and social exposure. Hydration, nutrition, and natural supplementation optimize cellular repair. Gradual balance and coordination challenges help accelerate progress.
What happens during a typical concussion therapy session?
Sessions may include saccadic eye shifting exercises, dynamic standing balance drills, and hand-eye coordination tasks. Manual therapy is also used to address tension from whiplash. Vestibular rehabilitation tools, such as rocker boards and gaze stabilization drills, retrain equilibrium reactions.
Meet Your Concussion Rehabilitation Team
At Dynamic Physical Therapy, we provide comprehensive concussion management using evidence-based approaches to address symptoms and safely guide your return to normal activities. Our specialized assessment and treatment protocols target the specific impairments resulting from concussion.
Matthew Nelson PT, DPT, TPS, AFDNS, AIB Cert – VR
Matt combines his vestibular rehabilitation certification with his expertise in therapeutic pain management to address the complex symptoms following concussion. His specialized training allows him to identify and treat vestibular dysfunction, cervical involvement, and visual disturbances that commonly accompany concussions. Matt implements a progressive approach to symptom management and activity reintegration, helping patients safely return to work, school, and athletic activities.
Jessica Bauerkemper PT, DPT, AIB CERT – VR
Jessica utilizes her vestibular rehabilitation expertise to address the balance, dizziness, and visual symptoms common after concussion. Her comprehensive treatment approach includes manual therapy techniques for associated neck pain and headaches. Jessica specializes in guiding patients through the delicate balance of rest and activity progression that is crucial for optimal concussion recovery, providing education and support throughout the rehabilitation process.
Anika Jansen, PT, DPT
Anika brings specialized training in concussion management, vestibular therapy, and balance rehabilitation to provide comprehensive care for post-concussion syndrome. Her detailed assessment process identifies specific deficits in balance, coordination, and cognitive-physical integration. Anika excels at developing personalized treatment plans that address exercise tolerance, visual-vestibular integration, and gradual return to cognitive and physical demands.
Ciena Lavallee PT, DPT, Cert. MDT
Ciena integrates her McKenzie Method expertise to address the cervical spine dysfunction that often contributes to persistent post-concussion symptoms. Her systematic approach helps identify how neck movement patterns influence headaches, dizziness, and visual disturbances following concussion. Ciena develops targeted interventions for cervical issues while coordinating with comprehensive concussion management strategies for a complete recovery approach.
Schedule Testing Today in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT for Concussions
Ready to uncover the targeted therapy interventions that could resolve your lingering concussion symptoms? Contact Dynamic Physical Therapy today to schedule specialized assessments that quantify vestibular, ocular, cognitive, and balance deficiencies. Let us guide you toward full recovery and improved quality of life.