Sports collisions and falls
A tackle, a header or a hit from a ball can cause a concussion. An athlete with a suspected head injury should leave play and be checked.
Post-Concussion Syndrome Treatment in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
The concussion was weeks ago, but the headaches, dizziness or fog have not gone away. We find which systems are still struggling and build a plan around them, alongside your physician.
- 5.0 from 11 Google reviews
- Care coordinated with your physician
The short answer
Post-concussion syndrome means concussion symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, brain fog and poor sleep, that last longer than expected. At True Performance in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, we test balance, eye movement, thinking speed and motion tolerance, then use concussion rehab, GyroStim, neurofeedback and cognitive training to work on what is still off.
Overview
Why do I still feel off after a concussion?
You were told it was mild. Weeks later, screens still bring on headaches, busy rooms wear you out, and reading takes twice as long.
That gap between "mild" and how you actually feel is common. A concussion can affect balance, vision, sleep, mood and focus at the same time, and some of those systems recover more slowly than others.
What does care look like here?
We start by finding which systems are still struggling. Then we build a concussion rehab program matched to your exam, paced to what you tolerate and coordinated with your physician.
Understanding
What is post-concussion syndrome?
Post-concussion syndrome is the name for concussion symptoms that last longer than the usual recovery window. A concussion is a brain injury caused by a blow or jolt that moves the brain inside the skull. Most people feel better within a couple of weeks, but some do not.
What is actually happening
A blow or sudden jolt shakes the brain inside the skull.
Balance, vision and energy systems stop working together smoothly.
Some of those systems keep struggling after the others recover.
Who this usually affects
- Athletes after a hit in practice or a game
- Teens and adults after a fall or car accident
- People with a past concussion or a migraine history
- Anyone whose symptoms return with screens, reading or exercise
When it is something else
- A worsening headache, repeated vomiting or confusion: emergency care
- A head injury no physician has checked yet
- Neck, inner-ear or vision problems that need their own workup
The re-check
We re-test the same measures as you go. If a system is not improving, we change the plan or point you back to your physician.
Symptoms
Symptoms of post-concussion syndrome
- Headaches or head pressure
- Dizziness or unsteady balance
- Blurred vision or eye strain
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Brain fog and slow thinking
- Trouble concentrating or remembering
- Poor sleep or unusual fatigue
- Irritability, anxiety or low mood
- Symptoms that flare with screens or exercise
Causes
Common causes
Falls at home
Stairs, wet floors and ladders cause many concussions, often with no visible bruise.
Car accidents
A crash can whip the head forward and back without the skull striking anything.
Work and recreation injuries
Job-site falls, cycling crashes and riding accidents can all cause a concussion.
Treatment
How we treat post-concussion syndrome
We treat post-concussion syndrome by testing which systems are still off, then training them directly. Care can combine vestibular and eye-movement work, GyroStim, neurofeedback guided by a qEEG brain map, and DynaVision cognitive training, paced to your symptoms and coordinated with your physician.
Concussion rehab
Concussion rehab brings the parts of your plan together: balance work, eye-movement exercises, thinking tasks and a gradual return to activity. See how a step-by-step concussion recovery plan is built from your exam.
Rancho Santa Fe only
GyroStim
When dizziness or motion sensitivity lingers, a computer-controlled chair adds measured rotation and target work. Learn how GyroStim balance training is paced to what you tolerate.
Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback uses live brainwave feedback to practice self-regulation. It may fit when focus, sleep or irritability are involved. Read about neurofeedback therapy for focus and sleep.
qEEG brain mapping
A qEEG records brain activity from scalp sensors, and the map helps set up neurofeedback. See what a qEEG brain map measures.
Rancho Santa Fe only
Cognitive training with DynaVision
A light-board and screen tasks train visual scanning, reaction time and decision-making. Recorded scores show when to add challenge or scale back. Explore DynaVision reaction and focus training.
Testing: for student athletes, a pre-season baseline concussion test records an athlete's normal brain function before an injury, so later results have something to compare against.
[OWNER IRV-21: Which tests the baseline includes (not named on this page until the clinic confirms)]
Your options
Compare your options
| Option | What it involves | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Rest, then gradual activity | Short rest, then light activity such as walking | The first days after a concussion |
| Vestibular and vision therapy | Exercises for balance, eye movement and dizziness | Dizziness, neck pain or headaches beyond about 10 days |
| Medication for symptoms | Prescribed by your physician for pain, sleep or mood | When symptoms need medical management; we do not prescribe |
| Counseling support | Talk-based care with a licensed mental health professional | When anxiety or low mood is a big part of recovery |
| True Performance program | Testing plus balance, GyroStim, neurofeedback and DynaVision work | Symptoms that linger, or an athlete working back to sport |
These options often work together: your physician manages diagnosis and medication, and we handle rehabilitation.
Recovery
Recovery and timeline
Recovery is different for everyone. Here is what published guidance says about the usual course, not a fixed True Performance schedule.
First 24 to 48 hours
The first days
Brief rest, then light activity such as walking. Guidance for young athletes favors early light activity and less screen time over strict rest.
Up to about 2 weeks
The first weeks
Most people with a concussion feel better within a couple of weeks.
Beyond about 10 days
Symptoms that linger
For teens with ongoing dizziness, neck pain or headaches, the consensus guidance recommends rehabilitation aimed at the neck and balance system.
Beyond about a month
Persisting symptoms
For young athletes still struggling after 30 days, active rehabilitation and coordinated care may reduce symptoms.
At least 7 days in California school sports
Back to school, then sport
School comes first. Sport then returns one step at a time, each step usually at least 24 hours, with a licensed health care provider's approval.
Sources
Source: Amsterdam 2022 consensus recommendations for young athletes.
Source: CDC HEADS UP return-to-sports steps.
Red flags
When to seek care
Most concussion symptoms improve with time. Some need emergency care right away.
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech, unusual behavior or confusion
- Weakness, numbness, poor coordination or a seizure
- One pupil larger than the other
- Very drowsy, cannot be woken, or loses consciousness
If you notice any of these after a head injury, call 911 or go to the emergency room before anything else.
Source: CDC's guide to concussion symptoms.
Parents and coaches
For parents and coaches
Is your child's concussion taking too long?
If your teen still has headaches, dizziness or trouble in class more than 10 days after a hit, it is time for a closer look. Lingering symptoms are common, and they usually point to a system that needs targeted work.
Our concussion program for teens and their parents checks balance, vision and thinking speed, and we coordinate with your child's physician and school.
Who decides when my child can play again?
In California, an athlete removed for a suspected concussion cannot return until a licensed health care provider gives written clearance. After a diagnosed concussion, state law also requires a graduated return-to-play protocol of at least seven days.
Dr. McWhorter puts it this way: "The better question is: 'Has their brain actually recovered enough to safely return?'"
★★★★★
Every equestrian rider or athlete needs this office part of their team. Especially if you have ever had a concussion or traumatic brain injury! They have significantly improved my overall brain performance for riding horses, playing golf, and running a business. Thank you Dr Jeff, Dr Matt, and Lex.
Expert care
Who plans your care
Your care is planned by Dr. Jeff McWhorter, D.C., a Functional Neurology Expert and chiropractor who has had six significant head injuries himself. Concussion recovery is the core of his work.
He looks at how your balance, vision, thinking and nervous system work together, then builds a plan that respects your physician's instructions for school, work, driving and sport.
[OWNER IRV-16: 'six significant head injuries' (site says 'six severe head traumas'; video says 'six significant head traumas')][OWNER IRV-17: 'Concussion recovery is the core of his work' paraphrases the intro video ('my bread and butter'); transcript proofread pending]
Visit
Getting here
Our office is at 18029 Calle Ambiente, Suite 507, in Cielo Village, Rancho Santa Fe, about two miles from Lake Hodges. Many patients drive in from across San Diego County, and some travel much farther; we help with planning a visit from out of town.
The first step
Schedule Your Post-Concussion Syndrome Evaluation
- 01Start with a complimentary 15-minute intro call
- 02Your first visit takes about 90 minutes, plus data and history gathering
- 03We coordinate with your physician
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Does post-concussion syndrome go away?
For most people, yes. Most feel better within a couple of weeks, and lingering symptoms often improve with targeted work.
How long can concussion symptoms be delayed?
Some symptoms appear right away, while others may not show up for hours or days.
Why do screens make my symptoms worse?
Screens make your eyes and brain track fast, bright, changing images, which is hard work while vision processing recovers. Guidance for young athletes says less screen time helps.
Is post-concussion syndrome the same as a traumatic brain injury?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, and post-concussion syndrome is what happens when its symptoms linger. More serious injuries follow a different path, described on our page about recovery after a traumatic brain injury.
Do I need a physician's diagnosis first?
Yes. A physician should check any suspected concussion and set limits for school, work, driving or sport. We plan rehabilitation around those instructions.
Do you see teenagers?
Yes. We work with student athletes and their parents, and we coordinate with the child's physician and school.
Get a clear plan for symptoms that will not quit
Start with a complimentary 15-minute call with our team.