What if the real fallout from a head knock is not the moment of impact, but the silent systemic storm that unfolds in the weeks, months and even years that follow?

In this powerful episode, clinical naturopath Louise Cork reframes concussion as a whole-body injury that is widely underreported, frequently misunderstood, and too often treated as an isolated knock to the head. Drawing on years of clinical experience, Louise explains why symptoms can appear long after the incident, how intestinal permeability and a disrupted microbiome can amplify neuroinflammation, and why a gut-first approach often becomes the missing link in recovery.

We explore the systemic cascade that follows impact: increased intestinal permeability, a leaky blood-brain barrier, microglial priming, altered HPA axis signalling and hormone shifts such as low testosterone in men. Louise shows how these shifts can present as headaches, fatigue, anxiety, poor stress tolerance and slow injury recovery. A compelling motocross case study highlights how mapping a patient’s clinical timeline across body systems can reveal the turning points many people overlook.

We then move into practical strategies. Louise shares evidence-informed tools to repair the terrain and calm an oversensitised brain, including stool-guided treatment plans, endotoxin control with SBI and S. boulardii, targeted probiotics, and nutraceuticals such as saffron for mood and NFkB regulation, PEA for endocannabinoid balance and pain, omega 3s for inflammatory resolution, and thoughtful curcumin use that considers COX LOX balance without overloading the liver. We also explore sleep as a primary therapy, the role of the glymphatic system in clearing neuroinflammation, and how nutrients like L-theanine can deepen rest without immediately reaching for melatonin.

Prevention is a major focus. Whether you are working with athletes, military personnel, domestic violence survivors or high-risk workers, Louise outlines how optimising gut health, sleep, recovery rituals and nutritional foundations can reduce the fallout when impacts occur.

If you have had a knock, care for someone who has, or support patients navigating persistent symptoms, this episode offers a clear and actionable framework: assess deeply, repair the gut, calm the brain, support sleep and tailor the plan to the individual.

If this episode supports you or someone you love, follow the show, share it with a teammate or colleague, and leave a review so more people can access these tools.

Connect with Louise:  www.theconcussionnaturopath.com

Shownotes and references are available on the Designs for Health website


Register as a Designs for Health Practitioner and discover quality practitioner- only supplements at www.designsforhealth.com.au

Follow us on Socials

Instagram: Designsforhealthaus

Facebook: Designsforhealthaus

DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in the Wellness by Designs podcast is for educational purposes only; the information presented is not intended to be used as medical advice; please seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional if what you have heard here today raises questions or concerns relating to your health