The Body Keeps the Score—of Concussions: How the Nervous System Reveals Hidden Trauma | E37

Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast

Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast
The Body Keeps the Score—of Concussions: How the Nervous System Reveals Hidden Trauma | E37
Oct 07, 2025 Episode 37 Ayla Wolf, DAOM

Think your ā€œsinus headache,ā€ tight hamstring, or random insomnia is unrelated to your head? We trace surprising symptom chains back to the nervous system and show how hidden concussions often sit at the center of stubborn pain, sleep issues, tinnitus, and gut flare‑ups. With returning guest Dr. Clayton Shiu, we unpack real cases where elbow or knee pain turned out to be brain-driven—and why delayed symptoms after a fall or car crash are more physiology than mystery.

We walk through the moment-to-moment clues that shift a diagnosis: eyes that won’t track smoothly at check‑in, speech that slips into transient aphasia, a neck moving like a bobblehead, or balance that subtly lags on stairs. You’ll hear how adrenaline masks pain for days, why the autonomic system can scramble circadian rhythms, and how vestibular-ocular issues make braking at a stoplight feel like your body keeps going. Then we get practical: document every accident even if you feel ā€œfine,ā€ recognize the pattern when ā€œallergiesā€ don’t behave like allergies, and understand when rehab stalls because the system—not just the sore part—needs care.

If you’re stuck chasing symptoms, this conversation offers a new map: test what matters, treat the mechanism, and let the nervous system lead your plan. Subscribe, share this episode with someone who needs clarity, and leave a review to help others find their path forward.

Dr. Clayton Shiu Instagram: @jadeshaman, @the_shiu_clinic

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