As concussions in the workplace continue to rise, so does the demand for skilled rehabilitation professionals equipped to support injured workers through recovery. Recognizing this need, ARC Physical Therapy+ established a dedicated vestibular specialty clinic in 2017. With the hiring of Lisa Rohrbaugh, DPT, CVT, and Kim Traub, DPT, CVT, CSCS—bringing over 50 years of combined experience—the clinic has achieved outstanding outcomes in concussion rehabilitation. While our Lenexa clinic is dedicated to vestibular rehabilitation, we have other vestibular providers available throughout Kansas and Missouri.
What is a Concussion? Understanding the Brain Injury
A concussion occurs when the brain moves violently within the skull, often resulting in bruising, bleeding, or tearing of nerve fibers. This trauma can lead to a variety of symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, dizziness, nausea, and mood disturbances. Beyond physical injury, concussions also trigger chemical changes in the brain, disrupting normal blood flow and metabolism, and increasing the brain’s vulnerability to further stress or injury.
Common Concussion Symptoms and Effects
A common saying among professionals is, “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.” This highlights the variability in symptoms and recovery patterns. Not all concussions affect the same systems, and recent research points to the importance of nutrition and emerging biomarkers in predicting severity and recovery time. Anxiety is also a frequent companion to concussion, often intensifying during the recovery process.
The Unique Nature of Concussion Rehabilitation
Unlike traditional physical therapy, concussion rehabilitation must proceed with caution. Overexertion can worsen symptoms such as headaches or dizziness. Therefore, rehabilitation for concussions is typically slower and more methodical.
Concussions can affect at least five key functional systems:
- Oculomotor (eye movement)
- Vestibular (balance and spatial orientation)
- Cognitive (thinking and memory)
- Migraine/Headache
- Anxiety/Mood regulation
Additionally, patients may experience neck pain (cervicalgia), balance disorders, or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).
The Ideal Healing Environment for Concussions
Effective concussion rehab requires a carefully controlled setting. Facilities like ARC’s Lenexa clinic provide quiet, low-stress environments with adjustable lighting and minimal sensory distractions. As patients progress, clinicians gradually reintroduce elements like noise and light, helping them transition back to real-world settings.
Comprehensive Concussion Evaluation and Diagnosis
Diagnosis is primarily based on patient history—particularly whether a head impact occurred—and is supported by a range of objective assessments. These evaluations help measure:
- Symptom severity and triggers
- Vestibular and oculomotor function
- Neck involvement
- Balance and visual acuity
- Multitasking ability and tolerance to everyday environments
It’s important to recognize that patients may appear unmotivated or disengaged, when in fact they are experiencing overwhelming symptoms like fatigue, vertigo, nausea, and emotional sensitivity.
Timing and Hope in Recovery
Ideally, patients should be referred to vestibular rehabilitation around 14 days after injury. Many recover naturally within 7–14 days, especially if they receive 24–48 hours of initial brain rest. However, rehabilitation can be effective well beyond this window.
Most importantly: Concussions almost always get better. With early education, proper rest, and a gradual return to normal activities, most individuals can expect a full recovery.
To find a vestibular rehabilitation provider near you, view our full list of ARC Physical Therapy+ vestibular specialists.
