
Lauren’s concussion symptoms included headaches, dizziness and memory issues.
Lacrosse is a rough sport, and no one knows that better than Lauren Pierce from Lake High School. In May 2024, she got a concussion from being hit in the head with a lacrosse ball. Months later, the concussion symptoms remained.
“Female lacrosse players aren’t required to wear helmets, and most of us don’t,” Lauren said. “After I got hit in the head, I had immediate symptoms including a headache, nausea and seeing spots. I saw our school athletic trainer that day, and a concussion diagnosis ended my lacrosse season.”
Not content to sit on the sidelines, Lauren decided to try tennis for the first time. “I absolutely loved it, so I participated in tennis and cheerleading from late May until early November,” Lauren shared. “However, I had daily headaches and dizziness from the concussion.”
In addition to sports, the symptoms affected Lauren’s schoolwork. The honor student, who will head to college in the fall to study finance, noticed she wasn’t thinking as quickly and had trouble remembering things. “There were points, especially during school, when I thought my symptoms would never go away,” she said. “I thought these symptoms were just going to be the ‘new normal’ for me.”

Amazingly, Lauren kept her grades up even though she battled daily with concussion symptoms.
First steps to healing
After months of not feeling well, Lauren finally told her mom about the lingering concussion symptoms. “Mom took me to Akron Children’s Sports Rehab,” Lauren said, “and that’s where I met Physical Therapist Dan Norman.”
Dan started the Akron Children’s Sports Rehab concussion therapy program over 10 years ago. He leads a group to help teach other physical therapists about concussions and make sure patients get great care at any Sports Rehab location. He’s one of three Sports Rehab physical therapists who earned a special “vestibular concussion specialist” certification from the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy.
“Lauren’s symptoms were pretty involved for being six months out from getting a concussion,” Dan said. “Her biggest problems were neck stiffness and tightness – and vestibular issues including dizziness. She also had issues when trying to follow targets with her eyes. She struggled with daily symptoms; I’m surprised she kept her grades up and functioned as well as she did.”
Dan and Lauren went to work on strengthening her neck. “Evidence indicates that a strong neck helps to protect the brain when a hit to the head happens,” Dan explained. “Neck strength, balance and coordination are key factors in adolescent concussion care.”
Lauren also tackled exercises to help with her dizziness and vision issues. “Dan had me doing all sorts of interesting exercises,” Lauren said. “He had me shake my head while walking in a straight line, balance on one foot while staring at a moving black and white screen, put a laser on my forehead and trace things. He also gave me at-home exercises.”
Concussion care team
Depending on the athlete’s symptoms, different experts may join the care team. “Concussions are complicated and affect many body systems,” said Tamara Murray, Sports Medicine nurse practitioner who specializes in concussions. “We are lucky to have experts in departments including Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy who are specifically trained to help patients recover from concussions and get back in the game. For example, Lauren needed help from vestibular rehab and speech therapy specialists.”
Within two weeks of her first concussion rehab appointment, Lauren started to feel better. “After four sessions with Dan, I noticed a big difference. I didn’t have constant headaches or dizziness,” she said. “He motivated and encouraged me, which made my recovery go much smoother and faster.”

Lauren credits her support system, including her family, with helping her get back to 100%.
Completing concussion therapy
Lauren got an early Christmas present last month. She passed Dan’s return-to-sport testing, and Tamara provided the final approval for Lauren to “graduate” from concussion rehab. “I am grateful for my wonderful providers because I couldn’t have made this amazing, life-changing recovery without them,” Lauren shared. “My friends, family and teachers also supported me and helped me through my recovery. It’s great to feel completely like myself again.”
If you suspect your child has a sports-related concussion, call Akron Children’s Sports Medicine at 330-543-2778 to schedule an appointment.