Headaches and Concussion Syndrome care in
Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio
Premium physical therapy for active adults and athletes
Concussions
Concussions are trauma induced injuries to the brain resulting in chemical imbalances, energy depletion, and swelling of the brain. Concussions often occur during car accidents, falls, and collisions resulting in contact to the head such as during sports such as football and hockey. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, noise/light sensitivity, fatigue, foggy feeling, drowsiness, poor memory, irritability, and anxiety. Most concussions resolve within 7-14 days, but occasionally persist for 1-3+ months. Proper management of concussions is crucial to prompt and proper recovery.
How are concussions treated?
Most concussions resolve within 10–14 days, but proper management plays a key role in how quickly and fully you recover. There are several common misconceptions, so keep these evidence-based guidelines in mind:
Rest, but don’t overdo it: Complete rest can actually prolong symptoms—light, controlled activity is typically more beneficial.
Prioritize sleep: Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, avoid naps longer than 20 minutes (especially after midday), limit late-evening exercise, and reserve your bed for sleep only.
Pace your activity: Break tasks into shorter intervals, schedule regular breaks, alternate between easier and more demanding activities, and minimize distractions.
Use medications cautiously: Overuse of over-the-counter pain relievers can contribute to rebound headaches.
Limit symptom triggers: Reduce exposure to bright lights, loud environments, and other factors that worsen symptoms.
If symptoms persist beyond 2–4 weeks, physical therapy may be beneficial. With a comprehensive evaluation, treatment can help reduce headaches, improve balance and dizziness, address fogginess and fatigue, and restore coordination.
How are Headaches treated?
Headaches are a common condition characterized by pain or pressure in the head, scalp, or neck, and they can affect people of all ages and activity levels. They may stem from a variety of causes, including stress, muscle tension, poor posture, dehydration, or underlying medical conditions. One of the most common types is a tension headache, which typically presents as a dull, aching pain or tightness around the forehead or back of the head and neck, often associated with prolonged sitting, stress, or muscle tightness.
Physical therapy can be an effective, non-pharmacological approach to managing headaches, especially those related to tension and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Treatment focuses on addressing contributing factors such as neck stiffness, poor posture, and muscle imbalances through manual therapy, targeted exercise, and education, helping to reduce symptom frequency and intensity while improving overall function.
Headaches
Physical therapy can be highly effective in both treating and preventing tension headaches by addressing the underlying musculoskeletal contributors rather than just the symptoms. Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of the headaches, including assessment of posture, neck and upper back mobility, muscle tension, and movement patterns that may be contributing to increased strain.
Treatment typically combines hands-on techniques (such as soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic massage, and dry needling) to reduce muscle tension and improve tissue quality, along with targeted exercises to restore strength and mobility in the neck and upper back. Postural education and ergonomic modifications are also emphasized to reduce repetitive strain throughout the day. The goal is not only to relieve current symptoms, but to improve overall movement and resilience to prevent future headaches.
Have a question about your headaches or post-concussion syndrome that you would like to ask a specialist about?