Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS) / Post-Concussion Syndrome
Expert care for Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS) / Post-Concussion Syndrome at Gentle Care Chiropractic in West Linn, Oregon.
Understanding Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS) / Post-Concussion Syndrome
Also known as: PPCS, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Persistent Concussion, Chronic Concussion Symptoms PPCS — symptoms lasting longer than 14 days in adults or 4 weeks in adolescents — is not a single problem. It's a combination of overlapping contributors: cervical injury, vestibular dysfunction, oculomotor problems, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, sleep disturbance, mood changes, and neck-driven headache. Because each contributor is individually treatable, careful assessment and a targeted, multidisciplinary plan are the keys to recovery. PPCS is rarely a brain problem alone — it's a system problem.
Many patients with PPCS describe feeling "80% better but stuck" — unable to return fully to work, school, exercise, or driving. Some experience exercise intolerance (symptoms flare with exertion), which points to autonomic dysfunction. Persistent cervicogenic headache, unresolved BPPV, convergence insufficiency, and visually demanding environments (grocery stores, highway driving, screens) remain overwhelming. Psychological factors — fear of symptoms, poor sleep, pain catastrophizing — amplify the cycle.
Our approach screens every domain — cervical, vestibular, oculomotor, autonomic, sleep, mood — using validated tests (VOMS, smooth pursuit neck torsion, BCTT, PCSS). Treatment is then matched to findings: sub-threshold aerobic progression, cervicovestibular physiotherapy, oculomotor rehab (saccades, smooth pursuits, convergence training), manual therapy for upper cervical contribution, habituation for visual motion sensitivity, and sleep and stress coaching. Recovery typically takes three to six months, occasionally longer, and careful documentation supports both clinical progress and your legal case. We may recommend: cervicovestibular therapy, VOMS-guided protocol, Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test protocol, vestibular rehabilitation, low-level laser, corrective exercise, postural rehab Seek immediate care if: You develop new or worsening severe headache, seizure, focal weakness, vision loss, slurred speech, or significant mental status change — these require emergency imaging to rule out delayed intracranial pathology.
How We Can Help
At Gentle Care Chiropractic, we take a multi-disciplinary approach — addressing the root cause of your condition, not just the symptoms.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Precise spinal and joint corrections to restore alignment, relieve nerve pressure, and reduce pain — manual or instrument-assisted based on your needs.
Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage releases muscle tension, improves circulation to injured tissue, and works synergistically with adjustments for faster recovery.
Physical Rehabilitation
Customized exercise programs strengthen supporting muscles, restore range of motion, and help prevent future flare-ups.
Laser Therapy
Cold laser therapy uses targeted light wavelengths to stimulate cellular healing, reduce inflammation, and relieve deep tissue pain without heat or discomfort.
Electrical Stimulation
E-stim therapy reduces pain and muscle spasm, improves circulation, and supports the healing process — especially effective for acute injuries.
Personalized Care Plan
Every patient is different. We combine these therapies in a plan tailored to your diagnosis, goals, and lifestyle for the best possible outcome.
Ready to Find Relief?
You don't have to live with Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PPCS) / Post-Concussion Syndrome. Our team at Gentle Care Chiropractic is here to help you recover and get back to doing what you love.