Dizziness & Concussions
After a concussion, or when the room tilts as you turn or stand, a full day can shrink to just what feels manageable.
We help you take on a little more, one step at a time.
What begins during an ordinary moment can grow into something much bigger.
A knock to the head, or a dizzy spell out of nowhere. Afterwards it can be hard to tell what's normal, and most people carry on and hope it passes. You don't have to wait to find out whether it will.
What your care might include
Every concussion and every case of dizziness looks a little different, so the steps you take will too.
Where should I start?
If dizziness, vertigo, or post-concussion symptoms are the main issue, Vestibular Rehabilitation is usually the right starting point — your physiotherapist tests your inner ear, eyes, and balance system together to find the actual source. If neck tightness is a big part of it too, that assessment may also bring in general Physiotherapy or Massage.
How can I find the source of my dizziness?
The symptoms differ. Inner ear issues like BPPV usually cause sudden, intense spinning when you move your head. Neck-related (cervicogenic) dizziness feels more like unsteadiness or floating, often alongside neck stiffness. Concussions tend to bring brain fog, fatigue, headaches, and light sensitivity. Your assessment tests your eyes, inner ear reflexes, and neck together to find the actual source.
Is physio safe while having headaches or brain fog?
Yes, as long as it's paced carefully below your symptom threshold. Modern concussion care favours active recovery over strict rest — we start with low-intensity visual tracking, light mobility, and gentle aerobic work that keeps your heart rate in a safe zone your brain can handle without spiking your symptoms.
Is dark-room rest the best approach after a concussion?
No. A brief period of rest — 24 to 48 hours — still makes sense right after injury, but research now shows prolonged strict rest can actually slow things down. Guided, symptom-threshold activity (light aerobic work, visual tracking, neck rehab) tends to work better than rest alone for getting symptoms to settle.
What should I do if an exercise triggers dizziness or nausea?
A mild, short-lived symptom increase is often a normal part of your brain retraining itself — we keep those responses small on purpose. We'll teach you pacing strategies so symptoms settle within a few minutes, rather than letting your nervous system get overwhelmed.
Why do I feel dizzy in crowded places or on screens?
This is visual vertigo, or motion sensitivity. When your inner ear or balance system isn't working quite right, your brain leans more heavily on visual input to keep you upright — so busy, fast-moving environments can overload it. We use targeted visual desensitization exercises to help your brain learn to process moving surroundings smoothly.
