Concussion Physical Therapy in Chardon, OH
A concussion shouldn't mean guessing your way back.
The headaches won't quit. Bright screens and busy rooms make it worse. You feel dizzy, foggy, or off balance, and your neck hurts too. Maybe you've been told to rest in a dark room and wait. Days turn into weeks, and you or your athlete still don't feel right, with no clear plan for getting back to school, work, or sport.
You deserve more than "wait and see." You deserve a provider you can trust, and a clear, step-by-step plan back.
When should your athlete start physical therapy after a concussion?
Sooner than most parents think. The old advice was to rest in a dark room until every symptom was gone. Today's research and the latest international concussion guidelines say the opposite: after a day or two of rest, the right kind of guided activity speeds recovery, and waiting too long can slow it down.
Here's a simple timeline to guide your decision:
First 24 to 48 hours: Relative rest. Light daily activity like walking around the house is fine. Limit screens. Get checked by a physician if you haven't already.
Days 2 to 10: This is the window to start. Light, symptom-guided aerobic exercise, set by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, helps the brain recover faster.
Symptoms lasting more than 10 days: If your athlete still has dizziness, headaches, neck pain, or balance problems, international guidelines recommend targeted physical therapy for the neck and vestibular (balance) system.
Symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks: Don't keep waiting. Your athlete needs a full team approach, and physical therapy is a key part of it.
What the research shows:
Early activity is linked to far fewer lingering symptoms. In a study of 2,413 children and teens, those who were physically active within 7 days of a concussion had persistent symptoms at 4 weeks 24.6% of the time, compared with 43.5% of those who rested. (Grool et al., JAMA, 2016)
Guided aerobic exercise speeds recovery. Teen athletes who started a prescribed, symptom-limited aerobic program about 5 days after injury recovered in a median of 13 days, compared with 17 days for those who only stretched. Only 4% had recovery lasting a month or longer, versus 14% in the stretching group. (Leddy et al., JAMA Pediatrics, 2019)
Neck and balance therapy gets stuck athletes back in the game. In a randomized trial of athletes with dizziness, neck pain, or headaches lasting more than 10 days, 73% of those who received neck and vestibular physical therapy were medically cleared to return to sport within 8 weeks, compared with just 7% who did not. (Schneider et al., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2014)
Every day of delay counts. In a study of 282 athletes ages 12 to 25, each extra day before starting vestibular therapy added about one day to their return to play. (Ferry et al., Cureus, 2023)
Waiting it out doesn't always work. In a study of more than 3,000 children seen in emergency departments, about 1 in 4 still had persistent concussion symptoms 4 weeks later. (Zemek et al., JAMA, 2016)
These findings are reflected in the 2022 Amsterdam International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport, which recommends light activity in the first 48 hours, aerobic exercise to aid recovery, and physical therapy for dizziness, neck pain, and headaches that last more than 10 days.
Signs it's time to call us: symptoms that aren't steadily improving after a week, dizziness or balance problems, headaches with neck pain or stiffness, symptoms that flare with exercise or school work, or a coach or doctor telling you to "just wait."
Ohio rules for returning to sport: High school athletes in Ohio must follow the Ohio High School Athletic Association's concussion regulations, including written clearance before returning to play. Find the official rules, forms, and parent resources on the OHSAA Concussion Resources page. We guide the step-by-step return to sport progression and work alongside your athlete's physician on clearance.
We know how frustrating this is
Concussions are confusing. Symptoms are hard to see, every recovery is different, and it's hard to know when it's safe to do more. That's why the Doctors of Physical Therapy at Chardon Performance Therapy start by listening, to you, to your family, and when it helps, to your physician, school, and coaches.
We've helped thousands of active people, including athletes from across Geauga and Lake County, regain confidence, strength, and control.
Concussion symptoms we treat
Lingering headaches after a concussion
Dizziness and balance problems
Neck pain and whiplash that came with the hit
Trouble tolerating exercise
Sensitivity to busy environments and visual motion
Step-by-step return to sport for athletes
Symptoms that are lasting longer than expected
How it works
1. Share your story. Your initial assessment is a 75-minute, one-on-one visit with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. We listen to your goals, your history, and what you've already tried, so we understand what truly matters to you.
2. Get a comprehensive care plan. We check your neck, balance, eye and head movement, and how your body responds to exercise, so we know what's driving your symptoms. Then we explain it in clear, simple language, with a plan that fits your school, work, and sport.
3. Work with an accountable guide. Your follow-up sessions are a full hour, one-on-one. We treat the neck, retrain balance and the inner ear and vision systems, and build your exercise tolerance step by step. For athletes, we guide the return to sport progression and keep you, your physician, and your coaches informed.
What to expect
Most people recover from a concussion within a few weeks. When symptoms hang on, the right kind of activity usually helps more than more rest. Every step back toward full activity is based on how you respond, not a guess, so you or your athlete return with confidence.
What our clients say
"I found David after working with 3 other physical therapists on my neck issues, dizziness, tinnitus, and headaches. He was the first to provide any lasting relief… It has been a great joy to get back to the activities I love without dizziness and pain."
Nancy S. ★★★★★
"Courtney and Megan are also helping my high school son with recovery from his concussion and he noticed results after the first treatment."
William M. ★★★★★
"Wow this place is great! I went to physical therapy for the headaches that I have been getting… After only one appointment I feel great."
Allison N. ★★★★★
Rated 5.0 stars from 253 Google reviews.
Don't stay stuck
If you wait, lingering concussion symptoms can cost weeks of school, work, and sport, and chip away at confidence. You don't have to sit in a dark room and hope. There's a clear way back.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor's referral for physical therapy in Ohio?
No. Ohio law lets you see a physical therapist directly, without a referral.
How long are the sessions?
Your initial assessment is 75 minutes. Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes, always one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
When can physical therapy start after a concussion?
Often within the first few days. After 24 to 48 hours of relative rest, light guided activity usually speeds recovery. If symptoms are lasting longer than expected, it's not too late to start.
Do you take insurance?
We're out of network with all insurance companies. We accept HSA and FSA cards, and many clients are reimbursed through their out-of-network benefits. We'll walk you through your options on a quick call.
What are the return-to-play rules in Ohio?
Ohio high school athletes follow OHSAA concussion regulations, which require written clearance before returning to play. See the OHSAA Concussion Resources page for the official rules and forms. We guide the return to sport progression and work alongside your athlete's physician on clearance.
Should I rest in a dark room until I feel better?
A day or two of relative rest helps right after the injury. After that, too much rest can slow recovery. We'll show you how much activity is right for you, and when to do more.
When should I see a doctor instead?
Go to the emergency room right away for a headache that gets worse and won't go away, repeated vomiting, a seizure, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, growing confusion or drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or one pupil larger than the other.
More concussion help: Concussion Discussion to Avoid the Gray Area (video) · Preventing Concussions. Is That Possible? (video) · Sports Performance Testing for High School Athletes (video)
Serving Chardon and Northeast Ohio
Our clinic is at 520 5th Ave in downtown Chardon. Athletes and families come to us from Chesterland, Mentor, Painesville, Perry, Eastlake, Willoughby, Pepper Pike, Cleveland Heights, and across Geauga and Lake County.