
Concussion Nerds: The Roundtable S2 EP 3: You Look Fine — But You're Not: Understanding Concussion
The Concussion Nerds PodcastShow Notes
What if the hardest part of concussion recovery isn't what you feel… but what no one else can see? So many people living with concussion are stuck in this exhausting loop—pushing through because they "look fine," downplaying symptoms, or waiting for progress to magically happen just by showing up to appointments. On the outside, life might look normal. But internally? It's a constant negotiation with energy, symptoms, identity, and overwhelm. And here's where it gets even harder—when you don't feel believed, supported, or safe with your providers, healing slows down. When you rely only on in-session work without doing the real-life integration, you stay stuck. When you resist accepting where you are, you delay where you could go. This episode cracks open the truth: concussion recovery is not passive, it's not linear, and it's definitely not "mild." But when you combine the right support, honest acceptance, and consistent action outside the clinic—you start to reclaim control, rebuild trust in your body, and actually move forward. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why concussion is called an "invisible injury"—and how that impacts healing The biggest mistake patients make that keeps them stuck in recovery What true acceptance looks like (and why it's not the same as "being okay") How the right support system—and feeling safe—can accelerate healing Healing from a concussion isn't about proving you're fine—it's about finally giving yourself permission to do what it actually takes to get better.
Let's Connect!
Dr. Jacque Moser - Naturopathic Health Expert & Doctor of Chiropractic Website: https://www.docjacque.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc_jacque/
Dr. Paul Rollett - Board Certified in Vision Development & Rehabilitation Website: www.okanaganvisiontherapy.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okanaganvisiontherapy/
Jan McNeil - Registered Clinical Counsellor, Trauma and Somatic Therapist Website: https://covalentcounselling.com
Natasha Wilch - Concussion Mentor & Clinician Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: [email protected]
Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge
Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool
More from The Concussion Nerds Podcast
Are you treating all the right systems in your concussion patients, but still struggling to see meaningful progress? Even with a thorough multisystems assessment, treatment may not be working as expected. You may have identified vestibular, autonomic, and cervical dysfunction, yet your patient continues to feel stuck despite addressing each issue. The missing piece could be treatment sequencing. In concussion rehabilitation, the order in which you address each system matters. Understanding which systems are driving symptoms, establishing the right foundations, and building a treatment plan around your patient's capacity can help you achieve more stable, meaningful progress. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why treating multiple systems at once may not always lead to lasting improvements.
Ever wonder if that breakthrough treatment plan you handed your client on day one is actually keeping them stuck on a recovery plateau?
In this episode, we're taking a closer look at the otolith system, including the utricle and saccule, and how understanding their role can lead to more specific assessment and treatment. You'll learn what to look for when traditional vestibular testing doesn't fully explain a patient's symptoms and how to incorporate otolith screening into a more complete concussion assessment. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN: How the otolith system supports balance, spatial orientation, eye stabilization, and postural control
Why are your concussion clients still struggling even after their symptoms have completely vanished?
Could medication actually help support concussion recovery, or could it sometimes make things more complicated? When you're dealing with persistent concussion symptoms, it can be easy to rely on medication without fully understanding what each medication is targeting or whether it's still needed. With multiple medications potentially being prescribed for different symptoms, keeping track of how they interact and affect recovery becomes especially important. In this episode, we break down the role medications can play in concussion recovery, why they should be viewed as a tool alongside rehabilitation, and why understanding the purpose and effects of each medication matters. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN: Why there is no medication that directly treats concussion and how medications are instead used to target specific symptoms Common medication categories used for headaches, sleep, mood, cognitive symptoms, and autonomic issues How medication overuse, side effects, and polypharmacy can complicate concussion recovery Why understanding a patient's medications is important when assessing symptoms and planning rehabilitation Medication can have a place in concussion recovery, but understanding what it is treating and working with your physician is key to making informed decisions. Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-nerds-waitlist Let's connect! Instagram: @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com