It can be difficult and frustrating when symptoms after a concussion don't go away the way you'd hoped. Many people feel uncertain about what is normal and why the body reacts the way it does. It is very understandable that you have questions.
This text was created to give you insight into what happens in the brain and body after a concussion — and why symptoms may persist. This knowledge is an important first step in your treatment journey with us, because understanding makes it easier to work with strategies that help you recover.
After a concussion, the brain is usually as well recovered as possible after the first 4 weeks. If the symptoms persist afterwards, this is not because there is still damage in the brain, but because the nervous system is still in a state of alert and therefore responds more strongly to normal stimuli.
These can include light, noise, activity, stress, poor sleep, or worry, for example. The brain then has a lower tolerance for stimuli and uses more energy than normal.
What maintains symptoms varies from person to person and is often the result of an interplay between biological, psychological and social factors. When you understand these factors and their influence on the body's alarm system, there are more opportunities for lighting and fewer restrictions in daily life.
An important part of treatment is understanding what is happening in the body. What we know and think about our symptoms influences how we respond and deal with them. This text provides the basic knowledge on which Hemi's treatment is based.
When symptoms persist for more than 4 weeks after a concussion, this is rarely because the brain is still damaged. The brain has usually recovered, but symptoms may persist because the nervous system is even more sensitive and tries to protect you.
The body has a built-in alarm system that works continuously in the background. It monitors your thoughts, your body, and your surroundings to make sure you're safe. This happens automatically — just like breathing and digestion.
The alarm system tries to protect you by alerting you to possible dangers. This can be done via various physical signals such as pain, tension, fatigue, dizziness and nausea.
After a concussion, the brain has less energy available. As a result, things that used to be easy — such as thinking, concentrating, planning, or being social — can take more effort.
To protect you, the brain can therefore give clear signals that encourage you to slow down and take better care of yourself.
You can compare it to a sprained ankle:
In the beginning, the pain makes sense — it helps you protect the area. But if you overload the ankle or are too cautious, recovery can take longer. The balance between rest and gradual activity is important.
Something similar happens in the brain:
The nervous system continues to respond more strongly than necessary, even when the brain has already recovered.
The brain's protective response can be triggered by everyday stimuli such as:
used to be able to process a lot of information without problems, now even small things can feel overwhelming.
Simply put, you can see it as a “small glitch in the record”. The nervous system tries to protect you, but interprets innocent stimuli as something that needs to be responded to. This is an overprotective — but very normal — reaction after a concussion.
There is no single answer. Everyone is different, so what influences the symptoms also varies. Research shows that long-term symptoms are often caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors.
You can think of your symptoms as a puzzle, with each piece representing something important:
It may seem like there are a lot of pieces, but that's not a bad thing. After all, when several factors play a role, there are also several opportunities to create improvement.
This isn't something you just need to oversee — it's exactly what we're working on together, and we'll support you closely throughout the process.
Here you'll find information from our specialists, new research into brain functions and personal stories of people living with a concussion.
Make an appointment for a free conversation and take the first steps towards fewer complaints including pain.
