The Concussion Nerds Podcast

Natasha Wilch
  • 4.7 (9)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Concussion Nerds Podcast, where we revolutionize concussion care! This show is for passionate clinicians who want to excel in their field, move clients from stuck to excelling, and celebrate life's moments. Join us as we bring you cutting-edge advancements, practical tips, and inspiring success stories. Together, we'll propel concussion care into a new era, blending science with heart and soul. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a fresh face, or an individual on their own healing journey, this podcast is your ultimate resource. Let's build a community that uplifts and empowers one another, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in concussion care. Get ready to laugh, learn, and grow with me, Natasha Wilch, on The Concussion Nerds Podcast!

  1. 1d ago

    EP 133: The Identity Thief: Who Are You When Concussion Takes What Defined You

    Have you ever looked in the mirror after an injury and wondered where the "real you" went? When a concussion strikes, we tend to pour all our energy into tracking physical symptoms and managing clinical protocols. But in doing so, we often ignore the quiet, devastating rupture happening beneath the surface: the sudden loss of your identity. Whether you were the early-bird athlete, the high-achieving professional, the dependable parent, or the life of the party, a brain injury can strip away those roles in a single day, leaving you feeling like a stranger to yourself. Trying to force your way back into your old life—or rushing to find a "silver lining" before you've even processed the loss—only leaves you feeling isolated, stuck in limbo, and drowning in invisible guilt. True healing requires more than just symptom management; it requires the space to mourn who you were so you can discover who you're becoming. In this episode, host Natasha breaks down the messy, unspoken emotional side of concussion recovery and shares a practical framework to help you rebuild a meaningful identity on your own terms. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why identity loss after a concussion is a direct physical and emotional consequence of brain injury, not just a psychological reaction. The 5 identity archetypes most impacted by concussion—and why pushing through symptoms actually traps the "resilient" personality type. The 4 stages of identity reconstruction and how to navigate "Suspension," the awkward in-between phase where most recovery journeys stall out. Practical strategies to anchor your recovery in core values, adjust your sense of contribution, and properly grieve your old self. Hit play to step out of the recovery limbo and start reclaiming your narrative today! Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-nerds-waitlist Let's connect! Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

  2. Aug 31

    EP 132: The Parent's Guide: What to Ask, Who to Push, and How to Get Your Kid the Right Care

    Are you struggling to navigate your child's concussion recovery without a clear roadmap from their doctors? Most parents are left feeling overwhelmed by a confusing healthcare system that wasn't built for family advocacy, leaving them unsure of which specialists to see or whether their child is actually receiving the right treatment. Watching your child suffer from months of persistent symptoms—while missing out on school, sports, and their social life—is agonizing. Pushing through the pain or waiting for symptoms to magically disappear only delays healing, but with a targeted multi-system approach, early advocate intervention, and the right care team, you can actively guide your child back to the activities they love. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: The crucial questions to ask at every stage of care—from the emergency room to your follow-up provider. Why normal MRI and CT scans do not rule out a concussion, and what typical youth recovery timelines actually look like. How to spot the green and red flags of concussion treatment so you know if your child is getting proper, progressive care. Practical strategies to support your child's nervous system and social well-being at home without making recovery harder. Scroll up, hit play, and arm yourself with the map you need to get your child the expert care they deserve! Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-nerds-waitlist Let's connect! Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

  3. Aug 24

    EP 131: Harnessing The Power of Visual Feedback with Dr. Eric Dinkins

    Are you relying on subjective symptom reports to clear your post-concussion patients, only to have them relapse or struggle with lingering issues? Many clinicians fall into the trap of using basic screening tools like the VOMS or standard cardinal-plane tests as a complete diagnostic assessment—missing critical deficits in joint position sense, proprioception, and off-axis movement. This surface-level approach leaves severe, persistent gaps in your patient's recovery, but integrating objective visual feedback tools and multi-planar, sensory-motor testing can reveal hidden deficits and transform your clinical outcomes. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why standard concussion screening tools like the VOMS aren't enough to build a comprehensive, multi-system treatment plan. How real-time laser visual feedback accelerates motor learning, restores proprioception, and exposes hidden head-movement biases. The critical role of joint position sense and out-of-neutral torsional testing in treating persistent post-concussion symptoms. Why persistent concussion statistics are shifting as we evaluate the general population beyond elite athletic settings. ABOUT OUR GUEST: Dr. Eric Dinkins, PT, DPT, MSPT, OCS, MCTA, is a physical therapist, international educator, and co-owner of Motion Guidance. A Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Dr. Dinkins has treated athletes ranging from youth competitors to Olympic and professional levels. Since co-founding Motion Guidance in 2014, he has pioneered the integration of laser-based visual feedback, gamification, and sensorimotor rehabilitation across orthopedic, sports medicine, vestibular, concussion, and neurological settings. Tune in to discover how Dr. Erik Dinkins and Motion Guidance are revolutionizing visual feedback and sensory-motor rehabilitation to fix the hidden gaps in post-concussion care! Connect with Dr. Eric: Website: motionguidance.com Email: info@motionguidance.com Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-nerds-waitlist Let's connect! Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

  4. Aug 17

    EP 130: When Concussion Takes Your People: The Relationship Cost Nobody Talks About

    Are post-concussion relationship struggles leaving you and your loved ones feeling distant, misunderstood, or completely exhausted? You or someone you love might be falling into the trap of treating post-concussion relationship friction as purely a "social" or "personality" issue—or worse, brushing these hard conversations under the rug in fear of becoming a burden. When invisible symptoms like cognitive fatigue, emotional dysregulation, and word-finding struggles go unnamed, resentment quietly builds, leaving partners isolated and families feeling fragmented. The solution starts with pulling these raw truths out of the closet, putting clear language to the hidden neurological strains, and proactively naming the issues together so you can rebuild connection instead of growing apart. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why post-concussion relationship strain is rooted in real physiological and neurological shifts—not a lack of effort or caring. How unaddressed symptoms like reduced social capacity, word-finding issues, and emotional dysregulation accidentally trigger family role changes and ambiguous loss. The critical difference between letting invisible resentment build and taking the uncomfortable first step of naming your struggles to initiate true relationship repair. How clinicians and support networks can actively bridge the communication gap to help families heal together rather than falling apart. No matter where you are on this healing journey, remember that naming the uncomfortable stuff is where true connection begins—so share this episode with someone who needs it, keep the conversation open, and we'll see you next week! Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussion-nerds-waitlist Let's connect! Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com

  5. Aug 10

    EP 129: When Caring isn't Enough - Acknowledging our Blind Spots as Clinicians

    Are you giving your complex concussion clients your absolute best care, or are you secretly running out of ideas when they hit a plateau? It's an uncomfortable truth: while every healthcare provider goes into practice genuinely wanting to help, caring deeply for your patients simply isn't enough when you reach the limits of your clinical knowledge. Far too often, when progress stalls, clinicians default to telling clients "it's just part of the concussion" or writing off lingering symptoms as purely psychosocial—leaving patients confused, frustrated, and stuck in treatment for months or years without actual recovery. When you settle for "good enough" care or miss hidden clinical blind spots, you risk breaking your patient's trust and holding them back from true healing. But hitting your clinical ceiling doesn't mean you can't push past it—by getting curious about your limitations, auditing your practice, and learning how to look deeper into complex, overlooked systems, you can step up to become the clinician your clients truly need. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why compassion alone isn't enough to solve complex concussion cases—and how to identify when you've hit your clinical ceiling. The danger of writing off patient plateaus as "psychosocial" or "just concussion symptoms" instead of looking for deeper root causes. The major clinical blind spot most providers miss: how TBI impacts the central auditory processing system and impacts cognitive health. How to bridge the fragmentation gap across multidisciplinary care so PTs, OTs, Chiros, and Osteos can speak the same clinical language. Scroll down, hit play, and learn how to uncover your clinical blind spots and elevate your standard of concussion care today! Ready to raise your standard of care and stop hitting clinical ceilings? Join the waitlist for the revamped Concussion Nerds Fellowship 2.0! Doors open this fall for our brand-new cohort, limited to just 25 clinicians. Joining isn't a commitment—it simply gives you first priority to claim your seat before they're gone. 👉 Join the Waitlist Here

  6. Aug 3

    EP 128: The Litigation Trap: How Legal Proceedings Change the Concussion Recovery Picture

    Have you ever wondered why some of your concussion clients suddenly hit a total plateau in their recovery, or why bringing up an insurance claim or lawsuit creates an immediate wall of tension in the room? Navigating concussion care is complex enough, but when you add insurance disputes, personal injury claims, and legal battles into the mix, the healing process often grinds to a halt. As clinicians, it is far too easy to fall into the trap of assuming a patient in litigation is "malingering," or to get caught in a chart-note tug-of-war that disrupts your care. On the flip side, clients are left feeling constantly judged, hypervigilant, and stuck in a system that forces them to fight for their limitations instead of celebrating their wins. This unspoken friction keeps the nervous system locked in fight-or-flight, leaving clinicians second-guessing their documentation and patients terrified that showing signs of healing will ruin their legal claim. But you don't have to choose between legal realities and clinical progress. By understanding how legal stress actively amplifies physical symptoms and creates a massive nocebo effect, you can protect the therapeutic alliance, chart with objective confidence, and help your clients heal—even while their case is ongoing. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: The crucial difference between rare malingering (1–5%) and symptom magnification—and why baseline stress, not deception, is usually what drives amplified pain and dizziness. How the legal system's demand to "prove your disability" creates a nocebo effect that directly counteracts a brain-healing mindset. Practical documentation strategies for clinicians to stay accurate, keep your professional boundaries clear, and avoid getting caught in the legal crosshairs. How to guide clients through the profound nervous system reset and identity shift that happens once the heavy weight of a legal claim is finally lifted. Hit play to discover how to navigate the complex overlap of legal battles and concussion recovery so you can confidently guide your clients toward deep, lasting healing. Let's connect!   Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom  here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

  7. Jul 20

    EP 127: What Nobody Tells You About Going Back to Driving After a Concussion

    Have you ever pulled into your driveway and suddenly realized you don't even remember the actual drive home? We've all gone on autopilot during a routine commute, but behind the wheel, your brain is actually running a high-stakes, multi-system marathon. When you or your clients are recovering from a concussion, driving isn't just a daily task—it's an incredibly heavy, cognitively exhausting hurdle. Yet, despite how critical driving is for an individual's independence, it remains one of the biggest blind spots in clinical practice, leaving patients to dangerously figure out their readiness entirely on their own. Navigating an intersection, tracking a pedestrian on the sidewalk, and managing headlight glare require peak performance from the visual, vestibular, and cognitive systems—the exact areas most vulnerable after a head injury. Returning to the road too soon risks a subsequent accident, while avoiding it entirely out of fear leads to long-term anxiety and isolation. The solution isn't to guess or wait until someone "feels fine" in their living room; it's about breaking down the complex neurological demands of the road and utilizing a structured, progressive framework to rebuild that independence safely. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: The Hidden Cognitive Marathon of Driving: Why a routine trip to the grocery store demands an intense combination of divided attention, rapid visual processing, and executive function. The Clinical Blind Spot: Why standard clinic visits often fail to accurately assess driving readiness, and how occupational therapy driver rehab services can bridge the gap. A 5-Stage Progressive Return-to-Driving Framework: A step-by-step roadmap to transition safely from a passenger to a confident driver without overloading the nervous system. The Co-Pilot Strategy and Safety Boundaries: Crucial rules for practicing on the road, including how to handle "bad brain days" and when to safely pass the keys back to a partner. Whether you are a clinician looking to step up your care and confidently guide your complex clients, or a survivor trying to navigate your own healing journey, this episode is going to change the way you look at the road. Let's connect!   Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom  here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

  8. Jul 13

    EP 126: Why Your Child's Concussion Is Not the Same as an Adult

    Did you know that a child's brain doesn't fully mature until they are 25 years old—and that this completely changes how they recover from a concussion? As parents and clinicians, we often treat a youth concussion as if it's just a smaller version of an adult injury, expecting the same symptoms and the same rapid recovery timelines. But relying on an adult framework means you might completely miss crucial, subtle behavioral red flags in a toddler, overlook why an adolescent is suddenly struggling in school, or accidentally prolong their healing process simply through your own anxiety. Fearing the unknown can cause us to overprotect and isolate our kids, which research shows actually stalls their recovery. The good news is that concussions are fully treatable, but navigating the road to healing requires understanding the unique, developing brain it lands in. In this episode, we break down exactly how concussions present from toddlers to teens, how to spot the critical ER red flags, and how to become the calm, supportive safe space your child needs to fully recover. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why a child's metabolic recovery timeline naturally takes longer than an adult's, and why a four-week recovery window is completely normal. How to spot concussion symptoms in children under eight using keen behavioral observations—like rigid posture or "unicorn sunglasses"—when they lack the words to tell you what hurts. The surprising hormonal differences in puberty that cause adolescent females to experience a higher symptom burden and longer recovery times. The powerful, research-backed link between parental anxiety and prolonged youth recovery, and how managing your own fears actively helps your child heal faster. Click play to learn how to confidently navigate pediatric concussion care and give your child the exact support they need to safely get back to school, sport, and life. This episode is brought to you by Headquarters Health. Headquarters Health is on a mission to make world-class concussion care accessible to everyone. Through its virtual concussion clinic, patients can connect with concussion specialists and receive evidence-based, personalized care without the long wait. For healthcare providers, Headquarters Health also offers an AI-powered platform that streamlines multidisciplinary concussion management and supports better patient outcomes. Learn more at https://headquarters.health/nerds   Let's connect! Instagram:  @natasha.wilch https://www.instagram.com/natasha.wilch/ Email: hello@natashawilch.com Website: https://www.natasha-wilch.com   Join the Clinician's Edge to have Your Weekly Taste of Neuro Wisdom  here: https://www.natashawilch.com/clinicians-edge   Join the Concussion Mini School and Membership! Get the support and resources you need for concussion recovery: https://www.natashawilch.com/concussionminischool

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About

Welcome to The Concussion Nerds Podcast, where we revolutionize concussion care! This show is for passionate clinicians who want to excel in their field, move clients from stuck to excelling, and celebrate life's moments. Join us as we bring you cutting-edge advancements, practical tips, and inspiring success stories. Together, we'll propel concussion care into a new era, blending science with heart and soul. Whether you're a seasoned pro, a fresh face, or an individual on their own healing journey, this podcast is your ultimate resource. Let's build a community that uplifts and empowers one another, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in concussion care. Get ready to laugh, learn, and grow with me, Natasha Wilch, on The Concussion Nerds Podcast!

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