A Precision Rehabilitation Approach to Persistent Concussion Symptoms
Persistent post-concussion symptoms are often complex because the symptoms themselves do not always reveal the underlying cause.
Two people may experience dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, or difficulty tolerating busy environments, yet the factors driving those symptoms may be entirely different. For one person, symptoms may be related to vestibular dysfunction. For another, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, visual processing deficits, sensory integration challenges, exercise intolerance, sleep disruption, or other physiological factors may be contributing to their ongoing difficulties. Rather than focusing solely on symptom management, this consultation uses a precision rehabilitation approach to identify the specific systems contributing to your symptoms and recovery challenges. Through a detailed history, objective testing, and comprehensive assessment, we seek to answer the question: "Why are these symptoms still occurring?" By identifying the underlying drivers of persistent symptoms, rehabilitation can be tailored to your unique presentation rather than relying on generalized concussion protocols.The goal is to provide a clear understanding of the factors affecting your recovery and develop a targeted plan designed specifically for you.
Who is This Consultation For?
This service is intended for individuals experiencing persistent symptoms following concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, particularly those who:
- Have not improved with previous rehabilitation
- Feel they have plateaued in recovery
- Have seen multiple providers without clear answers
- Live outside the local area and are seeking a focused in-person assessment
- Want a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to their symptoms
- Are motivated to carry out a structured rehabilitation plan independently, with virtual follow-up support
- Most patients seen through this service are dealing with symptoms that have persisted for months or years after injury.
What Happens During This 3 Hour Appointment
We're not simply looking for which tests you pass or fail...
For persistent symptoms, individual systems may appear relatively normal when tested in isolation. The goal of the consultation is to understand how your visual, vestibular, sensory, motor, autonomic and cognitive systems are working together — and what happens as we progressively add movement, load and complexity.
We may explore:
- Your full recovery story — what has improved, what hasn’t, what you've already tried, and the situations that continue to provoke symptoms.
- How individual systems are functioning through neurological, vestibular, oculomotor, balance, sensory and cervical assessment.
- How those systems integrate — particularly when vision, balance, head movement, movement and cognition are required at the same time.
- What changes under load and complexity — looking for symptoms or performance changes that may not appear during simple testing.
- Compensations you've developed during recovery — including strategies that may help you complete a task but become less effective as demands increase.
- Exercise and autonomic tolerance — examining your response to exertion and how this may influence rehabilitation.
- Objective measurement where useful, including force-plate testing and NeuroFlex virtual-reality oculomotor and vestibular assessment.
- The broader recovery picture, including activity patterns, pacing, sleep, nutrition and other factors that may influence your ability to tolerate rehabilitation.
- A practical path forward — identifying rehabilitation priorities and, where appropriate, providing exercises and strategies you can implement at home
Breaks will be provided throughout the process.
There is no standard battery that every patient is put through. Testing is selected and progressed based on your history, symptoms, previous rehabilitation and what we observe throughout the consultation.
What You Leave With
The goal of the consultation isn't just to identify what may be contributing to your symptoms. We want you to understand what we found, what it means, and what to do next.
The final portion of your consultation is dedicated to your report of findings and the beginning of your rehabilitation plan. We'll review your assessment together, identify the areas we believe should be prioritized, and teach you the principles that will guide your rehabilitation.
The goal is for you to leave with:
- A detailed summary of your assessment findings
- A clear explanation of the factors that may be contributing to your ongoing symptoms
- Your initial rehabilitation exercises, selected specifically for your presentation
- Clear guidance on how much to do, how often, and how to recognize an appropriate symptom threshold
- A framework for progressing your exercises as your tolerance improves
- Strategies for gradually adding movement, visual complexity, cognitive demand, noise and other real-world challenges
- Guidance around pacing, recovery and distributing rehabilitation throughout your day
- Recommendations for additional assessment, equipment or referral when appropriate. For example, Lindsay often recommends her patients download the Brain Tool Kit to use at home for effective, progressive vestibular, oculumotor and cognitive rehab.
The goal isn't for you to memorize a list of exercises. It's for you to understand the principles behind your rehabilitation so that you know how and why it progresses.
You Don't Have to Navigate Your Rehab Alone
After your initial consultation, virtual follow-ups are available to help progress your rehabilitation as your tolerance and abilities change.
Early in rehabilitation, some patients choose to check in approximately every two weeks. During these appointments, we can review your response to the program, troubleshoot exercises that aren't working as expected, adjust difficulty and introduce the next level of challenge.
As you become more confident managing your rehabilitation, appointments can be spaced further apart or booked as needed.
Select Testimonials
What patients who had persistent post concussion syndrome are saying
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“I had been dealing with persistent concussion-like symptoms for years. Before meeting Lindsay, I had seen multiple practitioners, tried many different treatments, and was losing hope because nobody could explain why I felt the way I did.
By the time I met Lindsay, I felt completely stuck. During my Initial Assessment, she asked me about very specific symptoms that no one had asked about before. For the first time in years, I felt heard.
Treatment has been highly individualized. There is no ‘one size fits all approach.’ Lindsay continuously evaluates what is helping, what is not, and what needs to change. Recovery has not been a straight line, but I have always felt like there was a plan.
The improvements have been significant. I can use screens again, my neck mobility and eye movements have improved, and my symptom flare-ups are much milder and resolve more quickly. [This patient has also successfully returned to work].
Most importantly, I finally feel hopeful again. I still have recovery ahead of me, but I am closer to living a normal life than I have been in years.”
-HB
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"After years of trying different treatments, I’m so thankful I found you. [I recently started treatment];I’m still healing and have a long way to go, but I finally feel hopeful and feel like I’m on the right path. So grateful for your care and support!"
-BV
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"[When I] first starated working with Lindsay I was experiencing problems with my vision and dizziness that were really bothering me and beginning to affect my day-to-day life. I was feeling unsure about what was causing my symptoms and how to move forward.
Lindsay completed a very comprehensive assessment and made me feel comfortable throughout the entire process. She explained everything so clearly and, once we had the results, took the time to answer my hundreds of questions! She then developed a clear, individualized plan with exercises that were easy to do at home.
Our virtual consultations were always efficient, helpful, and reassuring. What stood out to me most was how thoughtful and compassionate Lindsay was in her care. She truly met me where I was at, adjusted the plan as needed, and helped me understand what I was experiencing rather than feeling afraid of my symptoms.
I also learned that recovery really requires you to put in the work. I was committed to doing the exercises Lindsay gave me and made them part of my daily routine. Her guidance gave me the tools and confidence to take an active role in my recovery, and I truly believe that consistency made a difference.
After about six weeks of working with Lindsay and doing my exercises consistently, I am so happy to say that my concussion symptoms have improved. I have a much better understanding of my recovery and, most importantly, I feel more confident moving forward.
I am incredibly grateful for Lindsay's support and guidance throughout my recovery and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone experiencing concussion or whiplash symptoms.”
-KD
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"[Lindsay] is fantastic at her job. She's helped me a lot with my concussion and my [persistent] post-concussion syndrome."
-TL
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"I cannot recommend Lindsay enough! After suffering two concussions close together, I was struggling with daily activities and unsure of my recovery. Lindsay’s expertise, dedication, and constant reassurance made all the difference. She took the time to understand my symptoms, provided a clear treatment plan, and supported me every step of the way. Thanks to her care, I am now able to go about my day-to-day life again. If you need a compassionate and knowledgeable concussion specialist, Lindsay is the best!"
-JB
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"I have done concussion care with Lindsay more than I would like to admit, and she always makes sure that I’m in the best conditions I can be to hopefully not get more concussions...Everyone at Epic Health and Movement is amazing, so friendly, and clearly care a lot about what they do."
KS
Ready to Learn More?
Because these consultations are designed for non-local people with complex or persistent symptoms, we want to make sure the service is a good fit before asking you to make the trip to the clinic.
1. Contact EPIC Health & Movement
Reach out to our clinic and let us know you're interested in a Complex Concussion Consultation. Our team will provide you with information about the consultation, fees and next steps.
2. Complete a brief screening form
You'll be sent a questionnaire about your injury, symptoms, recovery so far and previous rehabilitation. Lindsay will review this information to determine whether the consultation is appropriate for your needs.
3. Book your consultation
If the consultation appears to be a good fit, our team will contact you to arrange your appointment. Complex Concussion Consultations are a minimum of three hours and are typically scheduled on Tuesdays or Thursdays.
Appointments are intentionally limited to allow adequate time for each consultation, so availability is often a few weeks out.
Not sure whether this is right for you? That's okay.
Start by contacting the clinic. The screening process is there to help determine whether this type of consultation makes sense for where you are in your recovery.
FAQs
At this point in your journey, you likely have a lot of questions.
Who is Lindsay Branton?
Lindsay Branton is a Registered Kinesiologist and the Director of Brain Health & Concussion Care at EPIC Health & Movement. Her clinical work focuses on concussion rehabilitation and persistent post-concussion symptoms.
Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology and has completed advanced education in concussion rehabilitation, cervical assessment and management, ocular motor dysfunction, medical neuroscience, and applied neurology and neurotraining.
Her particular interest is in complex and persistent cases, with an emphasis on understanding how different systems interact, how performance changes as load and complexity increase, and how rehabilitation can be individualized accordingly.
Do I need a referral?
No. A referral is not required.
You will complete a screening form before booking so Lindsay can review your history and determine whether the consultation is appropriate for you. In some cases, additional medical assessment may be recommended before proceeding.
Do I need to be cleared by a neurologist or specialist first?
No, not necessarily.
Your intake information will be reviewed before booking. If something in your history suggests that further medical investigation should occur first, this will be discussed with you.
Is this appropriate for a recent concussion?
This service is primarily intended for people experiencing persistent or prolonged symptoms rather than acute concussion management.
For a recent concussion, standard concussion assessment and rehabilitation may be a more appropriate starting point.
Is this appropriate if my CT or MRI was normal?
Yes.
CT and MRI are primarily used to identify structural abnormalities and are often normal following concussion. Normal imaging does not mean that your symptoms aren't real or that there are no areas that may benefit from rehabilitation.
Do you work with people who live outside the area?
Yes. The service is designed so that the comprehensive initial assessment takes place in person at EPIC, while most follow-up appointments can be completed virtually.
This can make the consultation an option for people travelling from outside Brampton or the Greater Toronto Area.
How often will I need follow-up appointments?
For many patients, the first virtual follow-up is recommended approximately two weeks after the initial consultation.
After that, appointments are scheduled based on your needs and progress. As you become more confident implementing and progressing your rehabilitation, appointments can be spaced further apart or booked as needed.
Can you work with my existing healthcare or rehabilitation team?
Yes. You do not necessarily need to stop working with your current providers.
When appropriate, the findings and recommendations from your consultation can be incorporated into the rehabilitation or healthcare you are already receiving locally.
Do you prescribe medication?
No. Lindsay is a Registered Kinesiologist and does not prescribe medication.
If medication assessment or another area of medical management appears appropriate, you may be encouraged to discuss this with your physician or another qualified healthcare provider.
What are the fees?
Please contact EPIC Health & Movement for current consultation and follow-up fees.
This service is intentionally structured differently from a series of shorter rehabilitation appointments. The extended initial consultation allows time for comprehensive assessment, education and establishing a rehabilitation direction, while also teaching you how to implement and progress much of your rehabilitation independently.
The goal is to make your rehabilitation more focused and efficient and, where possible, reduce the need for frequent ongoing appointments. The amount of follow-up care required will vary between individuals.
Is this covered by insurance?
No. Complex Concussion Consultations and associated follow-up appointments are not covered by insurance.
Please contact EPIC Health & Movement for current fees and payment information.
What should I bring to my appointment?
You will receive specific instructions before your appointment. You may be asked to bring relevant imaging or specialist reports, a current list of medications and supplements, corrective lenses, any rehabilitation equipment you currently use, and comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for movement and exercise.
What if I become symptomatic during the consultation?
Some symptom provocation may occur as we explore activities and environments that are difficult for you. Testing and rehabilitation are adjusted according to your individual response and tolerance.
Because the consultation is lengthy and may temporarily increase symptoms, you may wish to arrange for someone to drive you to and from EPIC.
