Many people in Tauranga are told that concussion symptoms “should settle in a couple of weeks.” And for some, they do.
But for others, symptoms like dizziness, headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and balance problems linger for months.
If that’s you, it’s natural to ask:
“Why am I still symptomatic?”
Modern neuroscience—and newer clinical models—are finally giving us clearer answers.
- Concussion Isn’t One‑Size‑Fits‑All
Traditional concussion care focuses on:
- Rest
- Symptom monitoring
- Gradual return to activity
This works well for simple, short‑term concussions. But it doesn’t explain why 15–30% of people continue to struggle long after the initial injury.
That’s where newer models, including the Carrick Institute approach and the NERD model, offer deeper insight.
- The Brain Works as a Network — and Concussion Can Disrupt That Network
The recent NERD model (Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 2026) reframes persistent symptoms as a network‑level problem, not a “mystery illness.”
It describes the brain as a system of five interconnected functional nodes that constantly communicate to keep you balanced, oriented, focused, and regulated. When concussion disrupts these reflex circuits, symptoms can persist. Frontiers
These circuits influence:
- Eye movements
- Balance and posture
- Sensory processing
- Autonomic regulation (heart rate, dizziness, nausea)
- Cognitive load tolerance
If one node misfires—or the communication between nodes breaks down—the whole system can become unstable.
- Why Symptoms Persist
Persistent symptoms often reflect dysfunction in specific brain networks, such as:
- Vestibular circuits → dizziness, motion sensitivity
- Visual‑motor circuits → headaches, eye strain, difficulty reading
- Cervical‑driven pathways → neck pain, dizziness
- Autonomic circuits → fatigue, nausea, heart‑rate intolerance
- Cerebellar timing networks → clumsiness, balance issues
This is why two people with “the same concussion” can have completely different experiences.
- How the Carrick Institute Model Fits In
The Carrick Institute approach aligns closely with the NERD model by focusing on:
- Detailed functional neurological assessment
- Identifying which circuits are underperforming
- Targeted, active rehabilitation to retrain those circuits
- Objective progress tracking
Instead of waiting for symptoms to fade, this model asks:
Which brain systems aren’t working properly—and how do we retrain them?
- So… Why Are You Still Symptomatic?
Here are the most common reasons:
- The affected brain circuits were never identified
Standard care rarely tests eye movements, vestibular function, reflex integration, or cerebellar timing.
- Rest alone doesn’t fix network‑level dysfunction
Rest helps early recovery, but persistent symptoms often require active rehabilitation.
- Your concussion subtype wasn’t recognised
Visual, vestibular, cervical, autonomic, and cognitive fatigue patterns all require different approaches.
- Your brain may be stuck in a maladaptive loop
The NERD model shows how disrupted reflex circuits can keep feeding incorrect signals, prolonging symptoms.
- The Good News
Persistent symptoms do not mean permanent damage.
They often mean the brain needs specific, targeted input to recalibrate.
With the right assessment and rehabilitation plan, many people experience meaningful improvement—even months or years after injury.
**If your recovery has stalled, it may not be about time.
It may be about finding the right neurological inputs to help your brain heal.**
