The Concussion Naturopath

How many times will an AFL player’s head be impacted during the Grand Final?

The answer might surprise you.

Based on research into elite AFL, players can experience multiple measurable head-impact events during a single match.

Across 44 players and around two hours of game time, that could mean roughly 100–150 head-impact events across the field.

And here’s the important part:

A head impact doesn’t automatically mean a concussion.

But repeated impacts matter.

Marking contests, tackles and contested-ball situations can all expose players to forces transmitted through the head and body - sometimes without an obvious impact or immediate symptoms.

So this Grand Final, while you’re watching the big hits, remember that not every head impact looks like a concussion.

If you’ve experienced a concussion or you’re struggling with symptoms that haven’t resolved, there is more to recovery than simply waiting it out.

Your brain deserves a systematic, individualised approach.

Book a consultation with The Concussion Naturopath to explore your recovery.

“Why does EVERYTHING feel so much harder after my concussion?”

Your patience is shorter.
Noise is suddenly overwhelming.
Your calendar feels impossible.
A stressful conversation can wipe you out.
And things you used to handle without thinking now feel like A LOT.

Sound familiar?

After a head knock, your ability to tolerate stress can change. Your brain may be working harder to process information, regulate your responses and manage everyday demands.

So when your usual capacity is already being stretched, even the normal stuff can feel overwhelming.

It’s not about “toughening up”.

It’s about understanding what your brain and nervous system are dealing with while you recover.

If stress feels completely different since your head impact, don’t ignore it.

Book a consultation to explore your symptoms and get support with your recovery.

Ready to understand what’s going on? Book your appointment via the link in bio.

Sending someone back onto the field with a head injury is like sending them back out with a broken leg.

We wouldn’t look at a broken leg and say, “You seem fine - get back out there.”

So why do we sometimes treat concussion differently?

A concussion is a brain injury. The absence of obvious symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean the brain has fully recovered.

Returning to sport needs to be about more than simply asking, “Do you feel okay?”

It’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface and supporting the body and brain through recovery.

Because when it comes to concussion, playing through it isn’t a badge of honour.

It’s a reason to stop, assess and take recovery seriously.

🧠 If you’re navigating concussion or ongoing post-concussion symptoms, Beyond the Brain can help you understand the bigger picture.

Let’s talk concussion in kids’ sport - and the signs you might not immediately recognise.

A concussion doesn’t always look like a child collapsing on the sidelines.

Sometimes, the signs show up later. And sometimes they’re subtle.

Things to look out for include:

• Headache or head pressure
• Dizziness or feeling unsteady
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Blurred or double vision
• Feeling unusually tired or “flat”
• Changes in sleep
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things
• Irritability, emotional changes or unusual behaviour
• Slower thinking or difficulty keeping up at school
• Saying they just “don’t feel right”

And importantly, symptoms can change over time. A child may seem okay immediately after an incident and develop symptoms later.

If you suspect a concussion, don’t encourage them to simply push through and play on. They should be assessed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional and managed according to current concussion guidelines.

Because when it comes to kids and concussion, noticing the signs matters.

Save this post for your next sports season and share it with a parent, coach or sporting club who needs to see it.

Herbs for concussion? It’s not as crazy as it sounds.

When we think about concussion recovery, we often think rest, time and symptom management.

But herbs have been used for centuries to support the body’s natural healing processes - and emerging research is helping us understand how certain herbal medicines may support pathways involved in inflammation, oxidative stress, circulation and nervous system function.

Because concussion isn’t just a bump to the head.

It can affect the brain, nervous system, gut, immune system and the body’s ability to regulate itself.

So sometimes, supporting recovery means looking beyond the obvious.

The right herbs, for the right person, at the right time.

Concussion care should be individualised - not one-size-fits-all.

Curious about how herbal medicine can fit into concussion recovery? Let’s talk.

You can look completely fine and still be struggling.

One of the hardest things about concussion is that you can’t always see it.

There may be no cast.
No bruising.
No obvious injury.
And you might even look completely like yourself.

But underneath the surface, your brain and nervous system may still be working incredibly hard to recover.

You can be smiling while battling brain fog.
Going to work while struggling to concentrate.
Catching up with friends while feeling completely overwhelmed by noise and stimulation.
Looking “fine” while simply trying to make it through the day.

Appearance is not an indication of recovery.

And just because someone looks better doesn’t necessarily mean their brain has fully recovered.

Concussion recovery needs to be about more than what we can see from the outside. It means listening to symptoms, understanding what is happening beneath the surface, and looking at the person as a whole.

Because invisible doesn’t mean insignificant.

If you’re still struggling, your symptoms are real - even when nobody else can see them.

Why do I feel emotionally numb or disconnected since my concussion?

You’re not imagining it and it’s not simply that you’re “not yourself anymore.”

After a concussion, changes in brain function can affect emotional regulation, motivation, connection and the way you respond to things that once brought you joy.

You might notice:
• Feeling emotionally flat or numb
• Struggling to connect with loved ones
• Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
• Feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings
• Finding it harder to access or express emotions

These changes can be incredibly unsettling, especially when you’re wondering why you don’t feel like you anymore.

Understanding what’s happening is an important part of recovery. Your symptoms are real, and they deserve to be taken seriously.

If emotional disconnection has become part of your post-concussion experience, it’s worth talking to a practitioner who understands the bigger picture of concussion recovery. I’m here to talk