Healing from a Concussion: A Comprehensive Guide

A concussion is more than just a head injury; it is a complex event that involves both physical trauma and chemical disruption in the brain. Healing requires a targeted approach that supports both recovery and neurological rehabilitation.

Understanding Concussions

A concussion involves two primary injuries:

1. Physical Injury – A forceful impact causes structural changes in the brain- particularly the axon.
2. Chemical Injury – A disruption in neurotransmitters and energy metabolism leads to inflammation, impaired communication, and decreased function of neurons.

Potential Symptoms by System

Brain: Memory issues, difficulty concentrating, brain fog, mood swings, sensitivity to light/noise
Body: Fatigue, headaches, dizziness, neck pain, nausea, coordination difficulties
Mind: Anxiety, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, emotional dysregulation

Five Subtypes of Concussions

Determining which concussion subtype(s) you have is crucial for developing an effective recovery plan:

1. Blood Flow/Autonomic Dysfunction – Issues with heart rate, blood pressure, dizziness, temperature regulation, exercise intolerance
2. Metabolic/Hormonal/Inflammatory – Fatigue, hormonal imbalances, increased inflammation, difficulty with stress tolerance
3. Oculomotor/Visual/Vestibular/Proprioceptive – Eye strain, dizziness, balance issues, difficulty reading or focusing
4. Cervicogenic – Neck pain, tension headaches, stiffness, dizziness related to neck movement
5. Frontal-Limbic/Psychological/Cognitive – Difficulty with memory, concentration, mood swings, anxiety, depression

Priorities during the first 2 weeks post concussion (blunting the inflammatory response):

• Light Grade Exercises – Daily
• Increase caloric intake by 100-200 calories – primarily Carbohydrates and Fats
• Double your Water intake – add salt
• Breathwork – Daily
• Proper rest and sleep – not doom scrolling or binging TV, but breathing, moving, and grounding along with proper relaxation and good sleep

Take these supplements:

• Omega 3 (DHA dominant) – 2,000mg/day
• Magnesium Glycinate and L-Threonate – 600mg each/day
• B-Vitamins- 1 standard dose/ day
• Creatine Monohydrate- 10g/day
• Glutathione Liposomal- 600mg/day
• Glutashield (GI support) – 1 scoop/day
• NeuroOptimizer (Jarrow Formulas) – 4 caps/day
• Bonus Supps: CardioPerformance (Quicksilver), HistaAid (Quicksilver), HeroProtocol, BCAAs, and or UltraBinder (Quicksilver)

At-Home Strategies for Recovery

1. Graded Exercise & Neurological Stimulation
   ● Start with light movement (walking, stretching) and progress gradually. Follow the Return to Play Protocol
   ● Include brain-based exercises like eye tracking, balance work, and coordination drills.
2. Breathwork & Nervous System Regulation
   ● Practice diaphragmatic breathing and vagus nerve stimulation techniques.
   ● Engage in mindfulness practices to calm the brain and body.
3. Sleep Hygiene
   ● Maintain a consistent sleep schedule.
   ● Reduce blue light exposure before bed.
   ● Use relaxation techniques to enhance deep sleep.
4. Diet & Nutrition
   ● Focus on anti-inflammatory foods (omega-3s, antioxidants, lean proteins).
   ● Eat about 100-200 calories more per day during the first week after
   ● Avoid processed foods, sugar, and alcohol.
   ● Stay hydrated – double your water intake – and support gut health with probiotics.
   
5. Community & Emotional Support
   ● Surround yourself with supportive people.
   ● Engage in activities that promote a positive mindset and stress relief.
6. Supplements
   Include these supplements for the first week after a concussion:
   ● Omega 3 (DHA dominant) – 2,000mg/day
   ● Magnesium Glycinate and L-Threonate – 600mg each/day
   ● B-Vitamins- 1 standard dose/ day
   ● Creatine Monohydrate- 10g/day
   ● Glutathione Liposomal- 600mg/day
   ● Glutashield (GI support) – 1 scoop/day
   ● NeuroOptimizer (Jarrow Formulas) – 4 caps/day
   ● Bonus Supps: CardioPerformance (Quicksilver), HistaAid (Quicksilver), HeroProtocol, BCAAs, and or UltraBinder (Quicksilver)

Therapies to Look For

Most concussions will heal after a 2 week period of active recovery however getting checked by a specialist is important to the recovery trajectory, effectively reducing the time for recovery in half if seen within the first 7 days of injury. Proper recovery involves a graded return to activity, both cognitive and physical, and can take as little as 7 days or as long as 17 weeks, but full resolution is achievable and sustainable.

If symptoms persist, seeking professional therapies can significantly enhance recovery:

• Graded Neurorehabilitation – Personalized brain-based exercises
• Functional Medicine – Addressing inflammation, hormones, and metabolism
• Neurofeedback – Retraining brainwave patterns
• Red Light Therapy – Enhancing cellular repair and reducing inflammation
• IV Therapy – Supporting brain metabolism and detoxification
• Chiropractic Care – Addressing cervicogenic issues, proprioception, and nervous system balance
• PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy) – Enhancing cellular energy and repair
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) – Increasing oxygenation and reducing inflammation

Additional Recovery Tips

• Gradually increase brain demands (puzzles, reading, strategic games) while prioritizing rest and recovery.
• Focus on fueling the brain with proper nutrition, hydration, and supplementation.
• Support autonomic regulation through structured movement, stress management, and targeted rehabilitation exercises.

Healing from a concussion is a process, not a timeline. By addressing the root causes of dysfunction and implementing a comprehensive recovery plan, you can restore cognitive function, feel connected, regain energy, and return to a high quality of life

Here at Axon

At Axon, we take a comprehensive approach to assessing and treating concussions. Our assessments and diagnostics include:

By compiling this data, we gain a complete picture of your neurology, physiology, and psychology (Brain-Body-Mind) to deliver the best care tailored to your goals.

Healing from a concussion takes time and effort. At Axon, we guide patients through the Axon Big 5 – Nutrition, Sleep, Exercise, Breath, and Community – followed by individualized support for:

We implement targeted functional neurorehabilitation techniques, including:

We work on all layers of your “health onion” and address each section of Brain-Body-Mind that needs support—targeted, just for you.