Concussion & Post-Concussion Syndrome Support

Concussion & Post-Concussion Syndrome Support in Maidstone & Melbourne

Concussion is now understood to be far more complex than a simple bump to the head. For some people, the acute concussion resolves reasonably well. But for a significant number, symptoms persist well beyond the expected timeframe, developing into post-concussion syndrome (PCS): a constellation of cognitive, neurological, physical and emotional symptoms that can disrupt daily life, work and sport for months or even years.

At Spinewise in Maidstone, our chiropractors assess and manage concussion and post-concussion syndrome across all stages of recovery, from the acute period through to chronic, persistent symptoms, using a comprehensive, integrative approach that addresses the multiple systems research links to prolonged concussion recovery. We work with people across Melbourne, including athletes at all levels, workers and those injured in motor vehicle accidents or falls.

Understanding concussion and post-concussion syndrome

Concussion is a functional brain injury caused by a biomechanical force to the head or body that sets off a complex neurological and metabolic cascade. The research into this cascade has advanced significantly, and it is now clear that concussion affects multiple systems simultaneously:

• Neurometabolic disruption — concussion triggers an acute energy crisis in the brain, with a mismatch between increased energy demand and reduced cerebral blood flow and mitochondrial function. In PCS, this metabolic disruption can persist, contributing to ongoing fatigue, brain fog and cognitive difficulty.
• Neuroinflammation — evidence supports the role of neuroinflammation in prolonged concussion recovery, with inflammatory processes in the central nervous system contributing to symptoms including headache, cognitive impairment and emotional dysregulation.
• Autonomic nervous system dysregulation — heart rate variability research in concussion and PCS populations demonstrates significant autonomic dysfunction, which contributes to exercise intolerance, postural symptoms, fatigue and difficulties with stress regulation.
• Vestibular and balance disturbance — disruption to vestibular and balance function is one of the most consistent findings in concussion, with research linking balance impairment to brainstem involvement and prolonged recovery. Dizziness, unsteadiness and visual disturbance are common features.
• Cervicogenic involvement — the neck is frequently involved in concussion mechanisms, and cervicogenic dysfunction — particularly of the upper cervical spine and associated musculature — can drive or perpetuate headache, dizziness and cognitive symptoms that are often attributed solely to the brain injury.
• Visual and oculomotor dysfunction — impaired eye movement control, visual tracking and visual processing are well-documented in concussion, contributing to difficulties with reading, screens, busy environments and sport.
• Nutritional and mitochondrial factors — nutritional status, mitochondrial function and metabolic health influence the brain’s capacity to recover from injury, with specific nutritional deficiencies associated with slower and more complicated recovery.

This complexity is why a single-system approach so often leaves PCS patients frustrated. Effective management needs to address these mechanisms together, guided by objective assessment of what’s actually driving symptoms in each individual.

How we assess concussion and post-concussion syndrome

As primary healthcare practitioners, our chiropractors are trained to assess and manage concussion and post-concussion syndrome, and we use a comprehensive diagnostic toolkit to build an objective picture of your presentation. This includes:

• Applied Kinesiology (AK) assessment — an integrative assessment of neurological function, muscle balance, structural integrity and physiological function, identifying where the body is under stress and the contributing factors
• Heart rate variability (HRV) testing — objective measurement of autonomic nervous system function, a particularly important tool in concussion given the well-documented autonomic dysregulation associated with PCS
• Digital balance platform assessment — objective, quantified measurement of balance and postural control, directly relevant to the vestibular and brainstem involvement common in concussion
• Neurological assessments — assessment of nervous system function including cognitive, oculomotor and sensorimotor evaluation
• Laboratory assessments — to identify nutritional deficiencies, inflammatory markers and metabolic factors that may be influencing recovery

We document baseline findings and track changes over time, so management decisions are grounded in objective data rather than symptom reports alone.

How we manage concussion and post-concussion syndrome

Management is built entirely around your individual assessment findings. Depending on what we find, your program may address:

Cognitive rehabilitation and brain function support We use Neurotracker cognitive training and neurorehabilitation approaches to address the cognitive symptoms including brain fog, reduced concentration, impaired processing speed and memory, that are a central feature of PCS for many people. Neurospecs stroboscopic technology may be incorporated where visual processing and reaction training is appropriate to your stage of recovery.

Vestibular and balance rehabilitation Addressing vestibular and balance dysfunction is a cornerstone of concussion management. We use our digital balance platform findings to guide a targeted program aimed at improving postural control and the brainstem and cerebellar function that underpins it.

Cervicogenic management We assess and manage the cervical spine contribution to your symptoms — a frequently overlooked but clinically significant factor in many cases of persistent headache, dizziness and cognitive difficulty following concussion.

Autonomic nervous system support Drawing on HRV findings, we work to support better autonomic regulation through approaches that address the interconnected neurological factors contributing to dysregulation, including balance, TMJ function and the cerebello-frontal pathways that research links to autonomic control.

Nutritional and mitochondrial support Our chiropractors prescribe nutraceuticals in-clinic as part of a targeted approach to supporting brain recovery, mitochondrial function and neuroinflammation. Programs are guided by laboratory results and individual assessment findings.

Graded return to activity We design a carefully paced, individually tailored graded return-to-activity program, providing clear guidance on progression. We follow evidence-informed principles for concussion management, including appropriate rest in the acute phase and gradual, symptom-guided progression — not a push through symptoms approach.

Who this is for

This page is for people at any stage of concussion or post-concussion syndrome recovery — whether you are in the acute period following a recent injury, or managing symptoms that have persisted for months or years. We work with:

• Athletes — from junior community sport through to elite level, including return-to-sport assessment and management
• Workers — managing concussion from workplace injuries, often in the context of WorkCover or insurance claims
• Anyone experiencing persistent post-concussion symptoms — regardless of how long ago the injury occurred

Our role in your care team

Our involvement looks different for different patients. For some, we function as the primary ongoing manager of post-concussion care, particularly where patients have been discharged from acute services but continue to have symptoms. For others, we work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside neurologists, sports medicine doctors, physiotherapists and psychologists, contributing our integrative assessment and management. We are experienced in co-management and happy to liaise with your existing treating team.

Concussion support in Maidstone and Melbourne

Our clinic is in Maidstone, easy to reach from across Melbourne’s inner west and beyond — Footscray, West Footscray, Maribyrnong, Yarraville, Braybrook, Tottenham, Sunshine, Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Altona, Newport and Brooklyn. If you’ve been searching for concussion or post-concussion syndrome support in Melbourne, we’d be glad to help.

Why Spinewise

Dr Trevor, our clinical director, is a diplomate and teaching diplomate in Applied Kinesiology, chair the ICAK International Board of Research and Standards and a seasoned post graduate educator. Our approach to complex neurological presentations like post-concussion syndrome reflects that depth of training — integrative, evidence-informed, and built around objective findings rather than a standard protocol.

We promise to be honest with you about what we find, realistic about what management can achieve, and clear about when co-management or referral is appropriate.