The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Are you stuck treating symptoms when you know there's something deeper going on? Here's the truth: too many clinicians are caught in a loop—taking course after course, trying to get "certified," but still walking into treatment sessions unsure how to actually help their concussion clients thrive. I've seen it. I've lived it. And I knew something had to change. In this episode, I'm pulling back the...

Are your symptoms being brushed off as "just anxiety" when you know something deeper is going on? If you've been told your labs are "normal," but your body feels anything but — you're not alone. So many people with complex, overlapping symptoms like fatigue, GI issues, dizziness, brain fog, and medication sensitivities are stuck in a loop of misdiagnosis and dismissal. And it's exhausting. In this...

Is sound sensitivity slowing down your concussion recovery—more than you even realize? For many people on a healing journey (and the clinicians who support them), sound sensitivity becomes an exhausting, confusing hurdle. Whether it's struggling to be in noisy environments, feeling constantly overstimulated, or relying on earplugs 24/7, this issue doesn't just make life harder—it often gets overlo...

What if healing the brain wasn't just about rest and rehab—but light? Most people think of concussion treatment as pacing, physio, maybe some cognitive rehab… but what if we've been missing a powerful, science-backed tool this whole time? Let's be real: Photobiomodulation sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi film. And if you're a clinician or someone on a healing journey, you might be wo...

What if you could see how your nervous system is responding in real time—right in your clinic? Most practitioners are doing their best with the tools they've got. But let's be honest: when you're only tracking symptoms, you're often flying blind. There's a huge gap between what a patient feels and what's actually happening in the brain—and without objective data, it's easy to miss what truly needs...

Is it really just a headache—or is your brain trying to tell you something deeper? If you've ever shrugged off recurring headaches or mislabeled your pain as a "migraine" without really knowing the difference, you're not alone. The truth is, many people—and even some clinicians—still don't fully understand what makes a migraine different from a headache. And that misunderstanding? It leads to miss...

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your client's concussion recovery by doing too much too soon—or doing the wrong "right" thing? Here's the hard truth: even the best rehab tools fall flat when clients lack the capacity to actually use them. And far too often, clinicians mistake "more" for "better," piling on protocols without pausing to ask if the nervous system can actually handle it. In this episod...

Are you overlooking the most important part of your concussion assessments? If you're a clinician working with concussion patients and you're not fully evaluating the neck—you're missing a critical piece of the puzzle. The truth is, many providers stop short when assessing cervical involvement. You might check range of motion, maybe even do some manual therapy—but what about sensory motor control?...

Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your concussion recovery—and still not making progress? You're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone. One of the biggest mistakes people make after a concussion is focusing only on symptoms, without addressing the actual root causes—especially when it comes to how the brain and nervous system are functioning underneath the surfac...

Have you ever wondered if your headaches or migraines are actually something deeper — and if there's more you could be doing to truly heal? So many people think headaches and migraines are just "normal" or something they have to push through. Worse, they get stuck bouncing from specialist to specialist, trying endless medications without real answers. But here's the truth: When it comes to headach...

Are you a clinician who's ever stared at your assessment sheet thinking, "Where do I even start?" You're not alone—and if persistent concussion cases make you second-guess your skills, you're definitely in the right place. Here's the hard truth: just because you've taken a vestibular course or passed your board exams doesn't mean you're fully prepared to treat complex concussion clients. And that'...

Are You Rushing Back to Sport Too Soon After a Concussion? Here's What You Need to Know. Getting back in the game after a concussion can feel like a race against time. But are you risking long-term damage by returning too soon? Too many athletes rely solely on their symptoms to determine if they're ready—when in reality, their brain may not have fully healed. Ignoring the proper return-to-play pro...

Is Your Patient's Heart Rate the Problem—Or Just a Symptom? Clinicians, have you ever focused on treating a patient's heart rate without stepping back to see the full picture? If you're only looking at tachycardia, you might be missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. Too often, persistent concussion symptoms lead to a misdiagnosis of POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) when the real is...

Are You Seeing Multiple Providers but Still Feeling Stuck in Your Concussion Recovery? You're not alone. Many concussion patients work with different professionals—physical therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, doctors—but those providers often don't talk to each other. That lack of communication can slow your healing. And here's the kicker: It doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, we'...

What if your concussion recovery isn't just "taking longer" but has actually stalled? How do you know when you've shifted into persistent concussion symptoms—and more importantly, what can you do about it? If you or your clients have been struggling for months (or even years) with lingering symptoms, it's not just about doing more therapy—it's about doing the right therapy, in the right order, wit...

How Do You Rebuild Your Life After a Concussion Turns Everything Upside Down? Imagine waking up in a hospital, confused, unable to remember most of your life, and realizing everything has changed. For many concussion survivors, the struggle isn't just physical—it's emotional, mental, and deeply tied to identity. Are you unintentionally holding onto your old self, making recovery even harder? The t...

Is Rest Really the Best Approach to Concussion Recovery? You've probably heard it before—"Just rest, and your concussion will heal on its own." But what if that advice is actually slowing down your recovery? The reality is that many outdated myths about concussion recovery still linger, leading people to take a passive approach when they could be actively improving their healing process. If you've...

The Art of Concussion Assessment: Are You Missing Key Pieces? Alright, friends—let's talk about concussion assessment. In an ideal world, I would have waited until my voice was back to its full, non-froggy self before recording this episode, but here we are. This is the best I've sounded in days, so you're getting my raspy, slightly hoarse version today! In this episode, we're breaking down one of...

When it comes to concussion care, are you relying solely on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS)? If so, you might be missing critical pieces of the puzzle! In this episode of Concussion Nerds, Natasha Wilch introduces Dr. Rachel Parker—a chiropractor, concussion expert, and fellow nerd—who's here to share her journey and expertise. Together, they dive into the nuances of concussion assess...

Is Your Concussion Care Missing the Mark? Are you still treating concussions with a one-size-fits-all approach? 🤔 Many clinicians unknowingly rely on outdated methods like checklists or cookie-cutter plans. But what if I told you that could be doing your clients a disservice? Concussions are the ultimate "invisible injury," and no two are alike. It's time to rethink how we approach rehab. BY THE...

Are you feeling lost in the maze of social media buzzwords—dysautonomia, FND, or POTS—without clear guidance on what's actually going on with your body? Maybe you've been told to try one-size-fits-all solutions, like endless supplements or generic online programs, only to find yourself more confused and out of pocket. It's infuriating to see vulnerable populations being taken advantage of by flash...

Is Your Nervous System Out of Sync or Is It Dysautonomia?   Ever wonder if your constant fatigue, dizziness, or stress is a sign of something deeper? With social media throwing around terms like "nervous system dysregulation" and "dysautonomia" as if they're interchangeable, it's easy to feel confused. Spoiler: they're not the same—and knowing the difference can change your health game.   BY THE T...

Are you resisting the discomfort that comes with self-reflection? Ignoring the restless feeling in your gut? You're not alone. We all crave clarity, but sometimes, sitting with discomfort feels nearly impossible. Here's the truth: creating space for self-reflection isn't always cozy. It can be messy, frustrating, and downright uncomfortable—but it's also the birthplace of breakthroughs. BY THE TIM...

Are you stuck in the endless cycle of doing it all, yet feeling like you're never really off-duty? It's easy to tell yourself you'll "take a break," but how often do you really unplug? Let's face it—if the emails are rolling in, the clinic is open, or your to-do list is calling, true rest feels like a luxury you just can't afford. Here's the hard truth: Without creating intentional space to slow d...

Have you ever felt like you're stuck in a cycle of managing the same symptoms over and over without real relief? It's a trap many clinicians—and even those recovering from concussions—fall into: addressing the immediate symptoms without exploring the underlying drivers. While symptom management is valuable, stopping there can prevent true progress and transformation. What if the path to long-term...