Concussion Rehab Isn’t What You Think—How to Stop Getting in Your Own Way and Actually Recover
Most concussion patients struggle with rehab—not because their injury is too severe, but because they approach recovery the wrong way.
You think recovery is a black-and-white problem to solve. But recovery—like sports, like life—isn’t a singular problem. It’s a process.
This is where most athletes, high performers, and competitors get stuck. They treat rehab like a checklist, searching for the perfect exercise, the quickest treatment, or the latest “game-changing” protocol.
But here’s the truth: The individuals who recover most robustly are the ones who commit to the process—not just the outcome.
That shift changes everything.
Why “Getting Out of Your Own Way” is the Key to Rehab Success
If you’ve ever felt frustrated that your rehab isn’t working, you’re not alone. But before you blame the exercises, the provider, or the treatment plan, consider this:
Are you chasing every “shiny” rehab tool instead of mastering the basics?
Are you only measuring success by symptom resolution rather than behavior change or capacity?
Are you caught in an “all-or-nothing” mindset, where a bad day means you’re “failing”?
If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to reframe your approach. Because elite rehab isn’t about doing more things—it’s about doing the right things.
Step 1: Control What You Can (And Let Go of What You Can’t)
Brad Stulberg, author of Master of Change, describes allostasis as the natural cycle of order → disorder → re/new-order.
Recovery follows the same path: order (pre-injury) → disorder (injury) → re/new-order (recovery).
But most people get stuck resisting disorder—wishing things could return to how they were. That’s wasted energy. Instead, you have to accept, adapt, and rebuild.
Here’s how to reclaim control over your rehab:
✔ What You Control:
Your mindset and response to setbacks
Your consistency in doing the work
Your environment (nutrition, sleep, and exercise habits)
✖ What You Can’t Control:
The past (how you sustained your injury)
The exact timeline of your recovery
The fact that symptoms may fluctuate
When you waste energy on things outside your control, you delay progress and amplify frustration. Shift your focus to what actually moves the needle.
Step 2: Identity Drives Action (Not the Other Way Around)
Most people approach rehab backward. They think:
❌ “Once I feel better, I’ll return to my routine.”
But high performers and elite athletes understand:
✅ “I return to my routine, and that’s how I feel better.”
This is why identity matters. As James Clear (Atomic Habits) explains:
"Your current behaviors are simply a reflection of your current identity. What you do now is a mirror image of the type of person you believe that you are (either consciously or subconsciously)."
If your identity is “I’m an injured athlete trying to recover,” you’ll remain caught in frustration.
But if your identity is “I’m the kind of person who makes the main thing the main thing,” you’ll do what needs to be done—even when it’s inconvenient.
How to Shift Your Mindset:
Instead of focusing on outcomes, focus on identity-driven behaviors:
❌ Don’t say: “I want to be symptom-free.”
✅ Do say: “I am the type of person who shows us daily, regardless of setbacks.”
❌ Don’t say: “I hope rehab works.”
✅ Do say: “I do my rehab consistently because it makes me better.”
Your rehab doesn’t start when you feel ready. It begins when you decide to commit.
Step 3: Are You Ready, Willing, and Able? (Be Honest About Your Reality)
Elite recovery isn’t just about knowing what to do—it’s about being honest about what you’re actually ready to do.
This is where the Ready, Willing, Able framework comes in:
✔ Ready? Do you fully understand what’s needed for recovery?
✔ Willing? Are you mentally committed to showing up consistently?
✔ Able? Do you have the environment and resources to execute?
Example:
If you’re willing and able to exercise daily but unsure where to start, you need guidance (not motivation).
If you’re ready and willing but struggling to find time, you need better prioritization (not a new rehab plan).
If you’re ready and able but hesitant to commit, you need a mindset shift (not another opinion from Dr. Google).
By answering honestly, you’ll know where you need to adjust—not abandon—your rehab.
Step 4: The Responsibility-Fault Fallacy (Why Rehab is on You, Even If the Injury Wasn’t)
Simon Sinek’s Infinite Game reminds us that growth has no finish line—only continuous adaptation. Rehab is the same.
A hard truth: Your injury may not be your fault, but your recovery is your responsibility.
This doesn’t mean blaming yourself. It means:
✔ Accepting where you are today instead of wishing it were different.
✔ Committing to the process instead of hoping for shortcuts.
✔ Taking ownership of your effort, habits, and consistency.
Mark Manson, in The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**,* puts it perfectly:
"We are responsible for experiences that aren’t our fault all the time. This is part of life. Fault is past tense. Responsibility is present tense. Fault results from choices that have already been made. Responsibility results from the choices you’re currently making every second of every day."
You don’t have to like it. But the sooner you accept responsibility, the sooner you regain control.
Save This: The Recovery Process Framework
Forest → Trees → Fine-Tuning
Start with big-picture foundations (consistency, movement, identity).
Move into targeted work (functional rehab, exercise progressions).
Fine-tune when you’ve built a solid base.
Control What You Can
Rehab. Mindset. Habits.
Ignore Dr. Google's rabbit holes and rehab gimmicks.
Behavior > Outcomes
❌ Stop saying, “I want to be pain-free.”
✅ Start saying, “I am the kind of person who moves daily, no matter what.”
You Are Responsible (Even If It’s Not Your Fault)
You didn’t choose to be injured. But your response is your responsibility.
Tired of Spinning Your Wheels? Let’s Build a Recovery Plan That Actually Works.
Most people don’t need more rehab. They need the right rehab.
If you’re:
✔ Stuck in a cycle of trying everything and getting nowhere
✔ Frustrated with slow progress or conflicting advice
✔ Serious about doing what actually works
Then let’s fix that.