Why Medications Don’t Heal Concussions: Understanding the Role of Pharmacotherapy in Symptom Management

Why Medications Don’t Heal Concussions: Understanding the Role of Pharmacotherapy in Symptom Management

When concussion symptoms linger, it’s natural to look for a quick fix — and many patients are prescribed medications to help manage dizziness, headaches, or mood swings. But here’s the truth: there is no FDA-approved medication that actually heals the brain or improves neurological outcomes after a concussion.

At Lance Stevenson, DC, we see patients from Kansas City, Liberty, Overland Park, Raytown, and Blue Springs who’ve tried multiple medications with little to no long-term improvement. That’s because pharmacotherapy after concussion is symptom-centered, not curative.

Let’s break it down.

💊 What Medications Can (and Can’t) Do

Medications used after a concussion are typically aimed at managing specific symptoms, such as:

• Headaches or migraines (e.g., NSAIDs, triptans)

• Dizziness (e.g., meclizine)

• Anxiety or depression (e.g., SSRIs)

• Insomnia (e.g., melatonin, trazodone)

These drugs may provide temporary relief, but they don’t address the underlying neurophysiological dysfunction caused by the injury — like vestibular disruption, oculomotor dysfunction, autonomic dysregulation, or cervical spine involvement.

That’s why medications often mask symptoms instead of resolving the root cause.

❌ The Danger of Over-Relying on Meds

When patients are told medications are the only option, it can lead to:

• Prolonged use of drugs with side effects

• Missed opportunities for active rehab

• Frustration when symptoms return as meds wear off

• A false belief that recovery is out of their control

This contributes to the nocebo effect, where negative expectations and passive care approaches delay healing.

🧠 No Approved Neuroprotective Treatment (Yet)

Despite ongoing research, there are no FDA-approved neuroprotective treatments that improve neurological outcomes after concussion. This highlights the importance of functional, systems-based rehab to drive recovery — especially in patients with persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS).

🛠️ Active Rehab Gets to the Root of the Problem

At our Kansas City concussion clinic, we focus on evaluating and treating the specific systems that are disrupted after a concussion, including:

• Vestibular system (balance and motion sensitivity)

• Oculomotor system (visual tracking, convergence, saccades)

• Cervical spine (joint dysfunction, proprioception)

• Autonomic regulation (heart rate, breathing, blood flow)

We treat patients from North Kansas City, Leawood, Shawnee, and Parkville who have been stuck in the medication cycle — and help them finally move forward with targeted, active care.

📞 Call 816-226-7476 to schedule a full concussion evaluation.

To learn more about comprehensive concussion treatment options, check out the resources available at Complete Concussions.

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