What Is a Concussion (and What It Isn’t)
A concussion isn’t a brain bruise — it occurs when the brain undergoes sudden acceleration, deceleration, or impact that causes it to deform. This can result from a fall, a blow to the head, a sports collision, or even whiplash.
“Think of it like Jell-O in a jar — when the jar is shaken suddenly, the Jell-O shifts and deforms.”
Common symptoms include:
- Headaches, dizziness, or vision changes
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Imbalance or poor coordination
- Heightened stress, anxiety, or mood changes
While many people recover within a couple of weeks, up to 30% experience lingering symptoms without proper care. That’s where we come in.
Why Early & Active Management Matters
The old advice used to be “rest in a dark room and wait it out.” We now know that this approach delays recovery. Current research shows that early, guided, and active rehabilitation is the most effective way to heal after a concussion. Left unchecked, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or years.
Practical steps I implement right away:
- Graded Exercise: Rest for 24–48 hours, then begin light activity like a 20–30 minute walk as tolerated, progressing into cardio tailored to your tolerance and goals.
- Screen Time Management: Reduce early screen exposure (phones, computers, TV) to prevent symptom flare-ups. Reintroduce screens gradually under supervision.
- Brain Recovery Diet: Nutritional adjustments can minimize inflammation and support healing. If you can’t come in right away, email me for guidance to begin straight away.
- SCAT6 Assessment: I use the latest, validated concussion tool to assess cognition, balance, and vestibular function—giving a clear baseline and progress roadmap.
What Makes Me Different
Most clinics stop at symptom tracking and general advice. My approach goes further:
- Cutting-Edge Assessment – I combine the SCAT6 with applied neurology testing to uncover hidden drivers of your symptoms (vision, balance, vestibular, or proprioceptive issues).
- Individualized Rehab – No cookie-cutter plans. Every exercise and drill is tailored to your nervous system’s needs.
- Whole-Person Recovery – I integrate manual therapy, targeted movement training, and nervous system regulation to accelerate healing and reduce relapse risk.
- Proven Experience – From supporting Olympic athletes to helping everyday people in Revelstoke after severe car accidents, I’ve guided individuals through complex concussions and stubborn post-concussion syndromes.
You don’t just “wait it out” here—you get a precise, science-based plan to get back to sport, work, and life.
My Approach to Concussion Recovery
At Elevate Motion Lab, I combine athletic therapy, osteopathy, and applied neuroscience to address all aspects of concussion recovery. Every plan is customized, but may include:
- Manual Therapy – Improve neck and cranial mobility, often a hidden driver of headaches.
- Vestibular & Vision Training – Retrain balance, eye movements, and coordination for clearer focus, faster reaction time and better balance.
- Autonomic Nervous System Regulation – Calm fight-or-flight responses to restore energy, sleep, and emotional balance.
- Breathing & Posture Training – Optimize oxygen delivery, core function, and recovery.
- Graded Exercise Programs – Safely rebuild activity tolerance, improve circulation, and accelerate healing.
- Individualized Testing – Identify your specific triggers and tailor your rehab plan.
This whole-body, neuro-informed method ensures we’re not just reducing symptoms—we’re rebuilding everyday-life performance and resilience.
Cervical Proprioception & Strength After Concussion
Every concussion also involves a degree of “whiplash” to the neck. The cervical spine plays a huge role in balance, vision, and body awareness.
By retraining the deep neck muscles and improving proprioception (your neck’s ability to sense position and movement), we can:
- Reduce headaches, dizziness, and tension.
- Restore better posture and spinal alignment.
- Improve coordination between your neck, eyes, and balance systems.
- Lower the risk of re-injury when you return to sport.
Cervical training isn’t just about strength—it’s about restoring the precision and control your brain needs to stabilize vision, optimize balance, and support a healthy spine.
Who We Help
- Skiers, bikers, and outdoor adventurers dealing with post-fall symptoms
- Revelstoke Community members that sustained a car accident (ICBC claim)
- Athletes recovering from sport-related concussion
- Workers and students struggling with screens, focus, or fatigue
- Anyone with persistent concussion symptoms weeks or months after injury
Why Choose Elevate Motion Lab
- Olympic-Level Experience – I’ve supported Canadian National Team athletes, including their preparation for the Paris Olympic Games.
- Specialized Training – With a strong foundation in Athletic Therapy, Osteopathy, and Applied Neurology—plus ongoing concussion education—I bring a multidimensional approach to recovery.
- Complex Cases – My applied neurology background helps me solve stubborn post-concussion cases that others haven’t been able to resolve.
- Local Expertise – As Revelstoke’s only clinic offering this integrated approach, I provide care that goes far beyond “rest and wait.”
Autonomic Nervous System Regulation
After a concussion, your autonomic nervous system often gets stuck in “stress mode,” leading to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, headaches, or brain fog.
We use simple but powerful tools to bring it back into balance:
- Breathing drills to activate recovery pathways.
- Cranial nerve stimulation (like gentle vibration in the ear) to calm the vagus nerve.
- Sensory inputs & visual tools (including colored lenses) to reduce overload and improve clarity.
By restoring balance in the nervous system, we can accelerate recovery, reduce lingering symptoms, and help you feel more in control.