Sonia V. Transcript

Hi, my name is Sonia, and I’m a physiotherapist based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

I’ve been a physiotherapist for almost 10 years, and my clinical practice focuses on concussion management and vestibular rehabilitation. If you don’t know what vestibular rehabilitation is, it’s a type of therapy that addresses vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance issues associated with the inner ear organ. The vestibular system is involved with gaze stability, spatial orientation, postural control, and balance– among many other functions. Vestibular issues are quite common after a concussion injury, which is why it’s important to get it checked out if you’re still experiencing those types of symptoms.

I got into concussion and vestibular care when I realized that many people were seeking treatment for their vertigo and dizziness. But there weren’t many treatment options and providers providing this type of care. It seemed like a void at the time. I wanted to be able to refer my patients to practitioners. But when I couldn’t find any, I decided to pursue it myself. As I started to work with more clients with vertigo and dizziness, I was able to help them successfully. I became more interested in learning more about this area of treatment. I went on to pursue more education. And now I dedicate my clinical practice to seeing patients with concussions and vestibular disorders.

Not only that, last year, I went back to school to pursue my PhD at York University in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I’ll be studying the implications of visual and vestibular issues that can occur after a concussion injury. For example, a common environment that triggers symptoms after a concussion is the grocery store. I’ll be studying how visual and vestibular information from walking down a grocery aisle can affect your balance and symptoms. A common theme that came up with patients was the fact that no one understood what they were going through. And they had a hard time describing it themselves.

The invisible nature of concussions and vestibular issues makes it difficult for others to understand the severity of their condition. It’s not like a broken arm or leg where a cast makes it obvious that the person may be hurt or functionally impaired. So, one day, one of my patients said to me, “Am I the only one going through this? I feel like I’m going crazy. Is it all in my head?” This immediately sparked my interest in sharing knowledge, increasing awareness, and breaking down the stigma associated with invisible injuries and conditions like concussions and vestibular disorders. That interaction with my patient was the impetus for starting my Instagram page and calling it All In Your Head. I want to let others know that they’re not the only ones going through these things. And I want to empower them with the knowledge to tell others that it is all in your head, because that’s where your brain is. And that’s where everything happens.

It started as a simple endeavor, sharing knowledge through real patient interactions that I’ve had. But it has become so meaningful to me because of the conversations that I’ve had with people all over the world.

Unfortunately, concussion and vestibular care is not standardized worldwide. So I’ve had individuals reach out to me sharing their appreciation for the fact that someone simply acknowledges how they feel. The stigma associated with invisible injuries varies across societies and cultures. So many people never seek treatment until they realize it exists.

Through all of my patient interactions. The one piece of advice I have, for someone currently recovering from a concussion is to trust your gut and listen to your intuition. If you feel like something is still wrong, despite what others say, continue to pursue it until someone will stop to listen to you. It’s certainly not easy at first, as many of my patients can attest to. But once you find that one compassionate and empathetic practitioner, the ease and reassurance that you’ll gain from speaking to them will help guide you in the right direction.

It’s possible that they may not be able to help you as they may need to be equipped with the expertise and skill set to address your specific problems. But perhaps they can refer you to the right to the appropriate provider. We’re not experts at everything, but we can help you find the right person for your needs. On the other hand, it’s possible that you may feel a negative vibe with a practitioner or something just may not feel right. Trust your gut and pursue another course of action. Even though everything may feel overwhelming after a concussion injury. Your intuition is one thing that you can still trust.

I wish you all the best vibes for your concussion recovery, and remember it is all in your head… because that’s where your brain is.