Post-Concussion Recovery in Clear Lake
Lingering neck pain, headaches, or dizziness after a concussion? We support post-concussion recovery in Clear Lake, WI alongside your medical provider.
Chiropractic & post-concussion recovery
Whole-person support for post-concussion recovery
Also known as: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Post-Concussion Syndrome, Post-Concussive Symptoms
A concussion itself needs to be evaluated and managed by a medical provider. But once you're medically cleared and still dealing with neck pain, headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating weeks later, that's where we can help. At Northern Roots Family Spinal Care, we work on the neck and upper cervical symptoms that often linger after the initial injury has healed. We do not diagnose, clear, or manage acute concussions.
Signs and symptoms
- ✓Persistent neck pain or stiffness following a head injury
- ✓Headaches that started or worsened after the injury
- ✓Dizziness or balance problems that continue weeks after the event
- ✓Brain fog or sensitivity to light and noise that overlaps with neck tension
- ✓Restricted neck range of motion
- ✓Upper back and shoulder tension related to guarding the neck
Common contributing factors
- Cervical strain from the same impact — the neck often absorbs the same force that caused the concussion
- Whiplash-type injury occurring alongside the head injury — common in falls, sports collisions, and car accidents
- Delayed or incomplete neck rehab — the brain injury gets treated, but the neck injury that happened at the same time doesn't
- Muscle guarding and tension — the body protecting a sore neck in ways that create new stiffness and headaches
- Vestibular and balance system involvement — often tied to upper cervical joint position sense
Our approach
How we support post-concussion recovery in Clear Lake
- Step 1
Thorough exam
Once you have medical clearance, we assess your cervical spine, posture, and movement to find what's contributing to lingering symptoms.
- Step 2
A clear, personalized plan
We explain what we find and how gentle, targeted care may help alongside any ongoing medical or vestibular therapy you're receiving.
- Step 3
Gentle treatment & rehab
Careful adjustments and corrective exercise focused on the neck, paced to your recovery and never forced.
The basics
Understanding post-concussion recovery
When your head experiences a sudden force, your neck typically experiences it too — even if neck pain isn't the symptom you notice first. Research on post-concussion recovery increasingly recognizes that unresolved neck injury can mimic or prolong concussion-like symptoms, including headaches and dizziness, well after the brain itself has healed.
That's why we focus specifically on the cervical spine — restoring normal motion and reducing muscle guarding in the neck so it stops contributing to symptoms that get attributed to the concussion alone. We work as part of your recovery team, alongside your physician, neurologist, or vestibular therapist — not in place of them.
$47 New Patient Special
$47
New patient special including a consultation with the doctor, a thorough chiropractic examination, the doctor’s report of findings, X-rays if necessary, your first treatment, and an MRI review.
When to seek emergency or medical care first
Do not wait for a chiropractic appointment — go to the emergency room or call 911 if you or someone you’re with has, after a head injury:
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Repeated vomiting
- Worsening headache, confusion, or slurred speech
- One pupil larger than the other, or seizures
- Weakness, numbness, or trouble walking
- Symptoms that are getting worse rather than better
A concussion must be evaluated by a medical provider before any supportive care, including chiropractic care, is appropriate. We will always ask about your medical evaluation and clearance before beginning care.
What to expect at your first visit
Most first visits run 45–60 minutes, start to finish.
- Consultation — We review your injury history, medical evaluation, and current symptoms.
- Exam — A focused cervical spine, posture, and movement assessment.
- Report of findings — We explain what we found and how we can help, in plain language.
- First treatment — A gentle first adjustment or corrective exercise introduction, paced to what your body can handle that day.
Gentle, drug-free support — alongside your medical care
Post-concussion symptoms are often managed with rest, activity pacing, and sometimes medication for headaches. Gentle chiropractic care targeting the neck adds a drug-free option for the piece of your symptoms that may be coming from cervical strain rather than the brain injury itself — as a complement to your medical team’s plan, never a replacement for it. For concussions from a car accident, see our auto accident care; for sports-related injuries, see our athlete care.
Why Clear Lake-area patients choose Northern Roots Family Spinal Care
Dr. Chase O’Keefe takes a careful, exam-first approach with any injury, including the neck strain that often accompanies a concussion. We serve patients throughout Clear Lake, Turtle Lake, Amery, and the surrounding western Wisconsin communities working through post-concussion recovery alongside their medical providers.
If you’re medically cleared and still dealing with lingering neck symptoms, our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online in under a minute.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic neck care vs. no follow-up neck care
| Comparison factor | Cervical-focused chiropractic care | No follow-up neck care |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses neck strain from the same impact | ✓Yes | ✕No |
| Drug-free | ✓Yes | ✕Not applicable |
| Coordinates with your medical or vestibular team | ✓Yes | ✕No |
| Targets headaches and dizziness tied to neck tension | ✓Yes | ✕No |
| Risk of lingering, unexplained symptoms | ✓Lower | ✕Higher |
How we help
How chiropractic care supports post-concussion recovery
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Clear Lake, WI that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Auto Accident Care
Hurt in a car accident near Clear Lake? Dr. Chase O’Keefe treats whiplash and soft-tissue injuries drug-free and documents everything for Wisconsin no-fault claims.
Learn more →Athlete Care
Sports injury rehab in Clear Lake helps athletes of every level recover from strains and overuse injuries and return to play stronger, with a clear, staged plan.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Clear Lake
Patient reviews
What our Clear Lake patients say
“So grateful for the care I’m getting here! I know I would not be this far along in recovering without chiropractic care!”
“First time going to this chiropractor. The chiropractic office was beautiful. The team that Dr. O'Keefe has was on point for customer service. Dr. O'Keefe was polite and kind. They did X-rays to see the problem areas. I've went to chiropractors that seemed annoyed or rushing you out of the office. That or they were not gentle when they were adjusting you. And you hurt worse afterwards. But not here Dr. O'Keefe was great. I will definitely keep going back. And will tell everyone about him.”
“Very grateful to have found them. A neighbor recommended to me. Dr O'Keefe is very knowledgeable and and detailed. Evaluates the problem and comes up with a plan to help it. Very satisfied!”
Can a chiropractor diagnose or treat a concussion?+
No. A concussion must be diagnosed and managed by a medical provider. We focus on the neck strain that often happens at the same time, and only after you've been medically evaluated and cleared for supportive care.
When after a concussion can I start chiropractic care?+
Only after a medical provider has evaluated you and confirmed it's safe to begin supportive care. Bring us your clearance and any relevant notes at your first visit.
Why would neck treatment help with headaches or dizziness after a concussion?+
The same force that causes a concussion frequently strains the neck. Unresolved neck strain can cause or prolong headaches, dizziness, and neck stiffness independent of the brain injury itself.
Will adjustments be forceful?+
No. We use gentle, controlled techniques and pace treatment to what your body and recovery can tolerate on a given day.
Do you treat concussions from sports injuries specifically?+
Yes, once medically cleared, we support athletes recovering from sports-related concussions alongside their return-to-play protocol.
What if my symptoms are getting worse, not better?+
Contact your medical provider or seek emergency care immediately — do not wait for a chiropractic appointment.
Is this covered by insurance?+
Coverage varies by plan, including auto insurance for accident-related concussions. Our front desk can help you understand your specific benefits.