The neck is part of the picture. Most of the time, no one looks at it.
Most concussions also strain the cervical spine. The whiplash-pattern injury to the neck can produce its own symptoms, headache, dizziness, visual fatigue, sleep disruption, that look like, and overlap with, post-concussion symptoms. Treating the cervical contribution often resolves the symptoms that medication and rest alone cannot. We work in coordination with your medical team, never around them.
What lingers, and why.
Many post-concussion symptoms have an overlapping cervical or musculoskeletal source. Identifying which symptoms are which is the first step.
Cervicogenic headache
Headache that originates in the upper cervical spine, often presenting at the base of the skull and referring forward. Common after any whiplash-pattern event, with or without a diagnosed concussion. Responds well to specific upper-cervical work and suboccipital release.
Cervicogenic dizziness
A balance disturbance that originates from cervical proprioceptive dysfunction, not the inner ear. Often co-exists with vestibular dysfunction after a concussion. Cervical work supports recovery; vestibular work (when needed) is referred to a vestibular therapist.
Suboccipital tension & visual fatigue
Tightness in the suboccipital muscles affects eye-head coordination. Patients describe screens being harder to tolerate, reading fatigue, and pressure behind the eyes. Soft-tissue work and gentle cervical mobility help.
Sleep and posture disruption
Concussion patients often sleep poorly during recovery, and poor sleep posture compounds the cervical strain. We address pillow setup, sleep position, and the muscular tension that develops from prolonged stillness.
Conservative, careful, coordinated.
History & medical context
We need to know how the injury happened, what your physician has said, what testing has been done, and what your current restrictions are. We work inside that frame.
Cervical & cranial assessment
Range of motion, palpation, segmental mobility, suboccipital tension. Specific tests for cervicogenic versus vestibular contribution to dizziness.
Low-force treatment
When adjustment is appropriate, the first sessions use Activator or other very low-force techniques. Hands-on work focuses on the suboccipital and upper-thoracic regions. Class IV Laser to the cervical and suboccipital area when warranted.
Graded return
We coordinate the return-to-activity timeline with your medical team. No pushing past symptom thresholds. Functional rehab is added as tolerance improves.
Worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, focal weakness or numbness, slurred speech, vision changes, loss of consciousness, seizure, or any new neurologic symptom, these require immediate medical evaluation, not chiropractic care. We screen for them on every visit and stop care if anything changes.
Concussion recovery questions.
Should I see a chiropractor for a concussion?
Not for the acute concussion itself. Acute concussion is a medical event that should be evaluated by a physician, urgent care, or emergency department first, especially if you experienced loss of consciousness, vomiting, persistent confusion, or worsening symptoms. Chiropractic care has a role in the recovery phase, addressing the cervical (neck), thoracic, and soft-tissue components that often contribute to lingering symptoms, particularly headache, neck pain, and reduced exercise tolerance.
What is the connection between the neck and post-concussion symptoms?
Most concussions involve a force that also affects the cervical spine. The whiplash-pattern strain to the neck can produce its own symptoms, cervicogenic headache, dizziness, visual fatigue, and sleep disruption, that look like, and overlap with, post-concussion symptoms. When the cervical contribution is addressed, those overlapping symptoms often improve, even if the brain-injury component is still resolving.
What does Dr. Maurer do, specifically?
Cervical evaluation and gentle, low-force adjustment when appropriate. Soft-tissue work to the suboccipital, upper-cervical, and thoracic musculature. IASTM and myofascial release for restricted tissue. A graded return-to-activity plan that respects the brain-injury timeline. Always co-managed with the medical provider overseeing the concussion.
When is it not safe to adjust?
Acute concussion within the first days, suspected cervical fracture, focal neurologic deficits, severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing confusion, vestibular symptoms that have not been medically evaluated, or any case where your medical team has restricted activity. We screen for these on every visit and refer back to your physician when something changes.
How long does recovery take?
It varies widely. Many patients see meaningful improvement in their cervical and musculoskeletal symptoms within 4 to 8 weeks of conservative care. The brain-injury component recovers on its own timeline, which your medical team is best positioned to follow. We coordinate, we do not replace.
Related: Whiplash · Headaches & migraines · Neck pain
Get the cervical part addressed.
One exam, careful evaluation, full coordination with the medical team you are already working with.