Physical Therapy
Post-Concussion Dizziness & Balance Dysfunction
When a head injury leaves the balance system behind.
Understanding This Condition
Dizziness and balance problems are among the most common — and most persistent — symptoms following a concussion. The rapid movement of the brain within the skull during a concussion can affect the vestibular system directly, or disrupt the complex coordination between vision, the inner ear, and the brain that keeps you balanced and oriented.
These symptoms are frequently overlooked in standard concussion management, which tends to focus on headache and cognitive rest, leaving the vestibular component untreated and often the reason symptoms drag on far longer than expected.
What Causes It
- Direct vestibular system involvement from the concussion
- Disrupted coordination between vision, the inner ear, and the brain
- Cervical spine involvement, since whiplash-type forces often accompany a concussion
- Anxiety or hypervigilance following the injury, which can amplify perceived dizziness
Signs & Symptoms
- Persistent dizziness or a sense of imbalance
- Difficulty in visually busy environments — stores, crowds, screens
- Motion sensitivity or worsened symptoms with quick head movements
- Difficulty with tasks that combine movement and visual focus, like reading while walking
- Fatigue that worsens with visual or balance demands
How We Evaluate It
We conduct a thorough vestibular and balance evaluation specific to post-concussion presentation, including assessment of the cervical spine, since neck involvement frequently contributes to post-concussion dizziness and is easy to miss without a targeted exam.
Our Treatment Approach
Treatment addresses the vestibular, visual, and cervical components together, since post-concussion dizziness is rarely caused by just one of them.
- Vestibular rehabilitation targeted to your specific deficits
- Cervical spine treatment when neck involvement is contributing to symptoms
- Gradual, graded exposure to visually demanding environments
- Coordination with behavioral health if anxiety is amplifying symptoms
What to Expect
Most patients see meaningful improvement within several weeks of targeted treatment, though recovery timelines vary based on injury severity and how long symptoms have gone untreated.
Post-concussion dizziness that's been dismissed as "just needing more time" often responds well once it finally receives a targeted vestibular evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't my dizziness improve with rest alone?
Vestibular dysfunction after a concussion typically needs active, targeted rehabilitation to resolve — rest alone addresses the acute injury but doesn't retrain the balance and coordination systems involved.
Could my neck be part of the problem?
Very possibly — whiplash-type forces frequently accompany a concussion, and cervical involvement is a common, often overlooked contributor to post-concussion dizziness.
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed in stores or crowded places?
Yes, this is a common post-concussion symptom related to how the brain is processing visual and vestibular input, and it responds well to graded rehabilitation.
Dizziness after a concussion is not something to just wait out. A targeted evaluation of the vestibular system, vision, and neck often uncovers exactly what's been keeping symptoms going.
Confidential · No Pressure · Coordinated Care
Start today. Walk-ins welcome.
Call us, send a message, or just come by the clinic. Same-day appointments are available, and our team will meet you without judgment.
1010 E McDowell Rd, Suite 410, Phoenix, AZ 85006 · Open until 7 PM Wednesdays