Concussion Recovery in Nevada City & Grass Valley

By Dr. Austin Van poole d.c

If you’ve recently hit your head either during sports, a fall, a car accident, or an everyday activity, you may be dealing with symptoms that feel confusing, frustrating, or slow to improve.

Headaches. Dizziness. Brain fog. Fatigue. Exercise intolerance.

Here’s the most important thing to know:

Recovery from a concussion isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about doing the right things at the right time.

At Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, I focus on evaluating and treating the systems commonly affected after a concussion to help patients throughout Nevada City, Grass Valley, and Nevada County recover safely and efficiently.

What Happens After a Concussion?

A concussion is not simply a bruise to the brain. It’s a temporary disruption in how the brain and nervous system function.

I often describe it this way:

It’s like a sudden electrical and chemical surge that temporarily throws your system out of balance.

Even when imaging is normal, these systems can remain disrupted — which is why symptoms may persist.

The Metabolic Mismatch: Why You Feel Worse With Activity

One of the key concepts in recovery is metabolic dysfunction.

After a concussion:

• The brain’s energy demand increases

• But its ability to produce energy decreases

This creates a temporary “energy crisis,” which explains:

• Fatigue

• Symptom flare-ups with exertion

• Difficulty tolerating exercise

• Feeling “drained” after mental or physical activity

The good news: this system responds very well to guided, progressive activity.

Common Post-Concussion Symptoms

Symptoms may appear immediately or develop within 24–72 hours.

Physical symptoms:

• Headache

• Dizziness or balance problems

• Nausea

• Light or noise sensitivity

• Fatigue

Cognitive symptoms:

• Brain fog

• Difficulty concentrating

• Slower processing

Emotional symptoms:

• Irritability

• Anxiety

• Mood changes

If symptoms persist or worsen with activity, targeted evaluation can help identify what systems need support.

Why Early Evaluation Matters

Most concussions improve within weeks, but symptoms can linger when underlying issues are not addressed.

Early evaluation helps identify:

• Exercise intolerance (autonomic dysfunction)

• Vision or eye-tracking problems

• Vestibular (balance) deficits

• Cervical spine involvement

• Nervous system dysregulation

At Radius, we don’t just tell you to rest — we determine what your system can tolerate and how to safely rebuild capacity.

How We Evaluate Post-Concussion Symptoms

Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT)

This evidence-based test helps us:

• Identify your symptom-limited heart rate threshold

• Measure exercise tolerance

• Assess autonomic nervous system function

• Establish safe cardiovascular training levels

This allows us to prescribe movement as treatment, not avoidance.

Modern Concussion Care: Movement Matters

Old recommendations focused on weeks of dark-room rest.

Current research supports:

• 24–48 hours of relative rest

• Followed by gradual return to activity

• Structured, symptom-guided exercise

Prolonged inactivity can actually slow recovery.

How We Treat Post-Concussion Symptoms

Treatment is individualized based on your evaluation.

1. Targeted Cardio (Primary Treatment)

Using your BCTT results, we prescribe:

• 20–30 minutes of daily cardiovascular exercise

• At a specific, symptom-limited heart rate

This helps:

• Restore blood flow regulation

• Improve energy tolerance

• Reduce fatigue

• Speed recovery

2. Vestibular & Visual Rehabilitation

If VOMS reveals deficits, we prescribe specific exercises to address:

• Eye tracking

• Convergence

• Motion sensitivity

• Dizziness

3. Cervical Spine Treatment

Neck dysfunction is a common and often overlooked contributor to symptoms.

We assess and treat:

• Upper cervical mobility

• Muscle tension

• Cervicogenic headaches

• Neck-related dizziness

Addressing the cervical spine frequently reduces headache and dizziness significantly.

Advanced Training in Concussion & Brain Injury Care

At Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, our concussion care approach is built on current research and hands-on clinical collaboration.

In November 2025, our TBI treatment team traveled to the University of Nevada, Reno to work directly with experts in the Neuromechanics Laboratory. During this immersive training, we received advanced clinical education and practical guidance from:

• Nicholas Murray, PhD, CIC
  Director of the Neuromechanics Laboratory and Chair of the MS Kinesiology Program

• Zoe Haddox, LAT, ATC
  University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health

This experience focused on the latest evidence in:

• Concussion and mild traumatic brain injury recovery

• Autonomic nervous system dysfunction

• Exercise tolerance testing and prescription

• Return-to-sport and return-to-activity decision-making

• Objective assessment of post-concussion symptoms

What this means for you:

Your care at Radius is guided by the same evidence-based principles being studied and applied in leading concussion research settings — not outdated rest-only approaches.

We use this advanced training to help patients in Nevada City, Grass Valley, and throughout Nevada County recover safely, restore function, and return confidently to school, work, sport, and daily life.

What About Persistent Symptoms?

If symptoms last longer than expected, this is often referred to as post-concussion syndrome (PCS).

This does not mean permanent damage.

Persistent symptoms often reflect:

• Autonomic dysregulation

• Exercise intolerance

• Vestibular dysfunction

• Cervical spine involvement

• Nervous system sensitivity

With targeted care, even long-standing symptoms can improve.

When Should You Schedule an Evaluation?

Consider an evaluation if:

• You’ve had a recent head or neck injury

• Symptoms last longer than a few days

• Exercise worsens symptoms

• Headaches, dizziness, or brain fog persist

• Recovery feels stalled

• You want guidance returning to sport, work, or activity

Early, active care typically leads to faster recovery.

Concussion Care in Nevada County

If you’re searching for:

• Concussion treatment Nevada City

• Post-concussion therapy Grass Valley

• Return-to-sport concussion care Nevada County

• Dizziness or headache after head injury

Dr. Austin Van Poole provides specialized evaluation and treatment for post-concussion symptoms at Radius Physical + Sports Rehab.

We work with:

• Athletes

• Active adults

• Students

• Motor vehicle accident patients

• Anyone struggling with lingering symptoms after a head or neck injury

Don’t Just Wait It Out

Most people are told to rest and hope symptoms improve.

But recovery improves significantly when we:

• Identify exercise thresholds

• Restore nervous system regulation

• Address vision and balance deficits

• Treat cervical spine dysfunction

• Reintroduce movement safely

The sooner the right systems are addressed, the smoother recovery tends to be.

Ready to Start Your Recovery?

If you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms after a head or neck injury, we can help guide your recovery.

Book online to see available appointments, if you don’t see a time that works for you, Call or text: (530) 955-0065 and let our front desk work their scheduling magic!

📍 Radius Physical + Sports Rehab
Nevada City & Grass Valley
📞 (530) 955-0065
Book online anytime.