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Concussion Management & Rehabilitation in Onalaska
Concussion recovery is not just about resting and waiting. The right care makes a real difference in how quickly and completely you recover.
Concussion is one of the most common — and most mismanaged — injuries in sport and everyday life. For years, the advice was simple: rest in a dark room until symptoms resolve. We now know that this approach is often counterproductive, and that carefully guided, progressive rehabilitation produces significantly better outcomes.
Dr. Marci Skemp provides individualized concussion assessment and rehabilitation at our Onalaska clinic — addressing the vestibular, cervicogenic, visual, and exertional components of concussion with an evidence-based, progressive approach designed to get you back to full activity safely.
What Is Concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a direct or indirect force to the head that temporarily disrupts normal brain function. Despite the term 'mild,' concussions can produce significant and sometimes prolonged symptoms — and require careful management to avoid complications.
Concussion affects multiple systems simultaneously — the vestibular system (balance and spatial orientation), the cervical spine (often injured in the same incident), the visual system, and autonomic regulation (exercise tolerance, sleep, mood). Effective rehabilitation must address all relevant systems.
Symptoms & Signs
Contributing Factors
Concussion most commonly results from: direct impact to the head (contact sport, fall, motor vehicle accident), or indirect force that causes the brain to accelerate/decelerate rapidly within the skull (whiplash mechanism).
Risk factors for prolonged recovery include: history of previous concussion, migraine history, pre-existing mental health conditions, sleep disorders, and — importantly — poorly managed initial recovery with either too much rest or premature return to full activity.
Concussion Assessment and Treatment
Cervical Spine Assessment & Treatment
Cervical injury almost always accompanies concussion — and unresolved cervical dysfunction is one of the most common reasons concussion symptoms persist. Manual therapy to the upper cervical spine can produce rapid improvement in post-concussive headache and dizziness.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Addressing the vestibular dysfunction that drives post-concussion dizziness, balance problems, and visual motion sensitivity — using specific repositioning, habituation, and gaze stabilization exercises.
Sub-Symptom Threshold Aerobic Exercise
Controlled aerobic exercise below the symptom threshold — one of the most evidence-supported interventions for prolonged concussion recovery. We identify your threshold and prescribe the right type and intensity of exercise to drive recovery rather than worsen it.
Visual & Oculomotor Rehabilitation
For concussion patients with visual tracking, convergence, or accommodation deficits — targeted exercises to restore normal visual function and reduce visually-triggered dizziness and headaches.
Return-to-Activity Protocol
A structured, graduated return to school, work, sport, and daily activity — following evidence-based sport concussion consensus protocols with individualized progression based on your symptom response.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A comprehensive concussion evaluation covering symptom profile, vestibular and balance testing, cervical assessment, cognitive screening, and baseline exertion testing. From this we build an individualized plan addressing your specific symptom drivers.
Please bring any previous concussion history, imaging reports, or information from your physician or athletic trainer. If you are an athlete, we coordinate with coaching staff and team medical personnel for return-to-sport clearance.
Meet the Specialists
The specific care you need and deserve — all brought together under one practice, across three locations in La Crosse and Onalaska.
How long does concussion recovery take?
Most concussions resolve within 2–4 weeks with appropriate management. Approximately 10–15% of concussions result in prolonged symptoms (post-concussion syndrome) lasting months. Physical therapy — particularly vestibular and cervical treatment — significantly accelerates recovery and reduces the risk of prolonged symptoms.
Should I rest completely after a concussion?
Brief initial rest (24–48 hours) is appropriate. After that, a graduated return to light activity and then sub-symptom aerobic exercise is associated with faster recovery than prolonged complete rest. We'll guide the right level of activity for your stage of recovery.
Can PT help if my symptoms have lasted months?
Yes. Post-concussion syndrome — prolonged symptoms beyond the expected recovery window — often has identifiable and treatable components: cervical dysfunction, vestibular hypofunction, or exercise intolerance. PT targeted at these specific drivers can produce meaningful improvement even months after injury.
My child had a concussion — when should they see a PT?
As soon as the acute phase (first 24–48 hours) has passed. Early, guided rehabilitation is associated with faster return to school and sport than waiting for spontaneous recovery. We work with youth athletes from high school through collegiate level.
Can I exercise with a concussion?
Yes — with the right guidance. Sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise is now a key part of concussion rehabilitation. We identify your individual threshold and prescribe exercise that drives recovery without aggravating symptoms.
Concussion recovery is not just about waiting — it's about the right care, at the right time.
Dr. Marci Skemp will evaluate every component of your concussion and build an individualized plan to get you back to full activity safely.
Call us today Onalaska (608) 351-3049 for State Road (608) 668-6700
Front Desk Hours
Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Friday: 800am - 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Important Links
Our Locations
Onalaska Location
1430 Main St, Onalaska, WI 54650
State Road - La Crosse
3208 State Road, Suite A, La Crosse, WI 54601
Unity - La Crosse
2801 Losey Blvd, La Crosse, WI 54601
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