You do not have to lose consciousness to have had a concussion, and the after-effects are frequently the part nobody treats.
What it is
A concussion is a functional brain injury from rapid acceleration and deceleration. In a crash it commonly happens without the head striking anything.
It routinely occurs alongside whiplash, and the two produce overlapping symptoms — which is why untangling them matters.
How it usually presents
- Headache, often daily, in the weeks after the injury.
- Difficulty concentrating, or feeling a step slow.
- Light and noise sensitivity.
- Disturbed sleep, and fatigue disproportionate to activity.
- Irritability and low mood that is out of character.
- Dizziness or a sense of imbalance.
How we treat it
- Careful assessment, including whether the headache is coming from the neck rather than the brain — a cervicogenic headache is treated quite differently.
- Graded return to activity rather than complete rest, which prolongs recovery.
- Treatment of the neck injury, which frequently improves the headache.
- Referral where symptoms are severe, worsening or persistent.
To be assessed, call (314) 310-5577 or request an appointment. If this began with a crash or a fall, see accident and injury care.
Common questions
How long do symptoms last?
Most resolve within weeks. A minority persist for months, and that group benefits from being assessed properly rather than waiting it out.
The CT was normal. Does that mean no concussion?
A CT looks for bleeding and fracture. Concussion is a functional injury and does not appear on it.
Hurt in an accident? Start here.
You do not need a lawyer, a police report or a referral to be seen. Bring your symptoms and we will work out the rest.
Or text (314) 886-5902 · Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.