David BrimacombePost-concussion syndrome (PCS) recovery coach

Avoiding Stress Is Slowing Your Recovery #PCSRecovery #ConcussionRecovery #ExposureTherapy

4 Feb 2026 · 1 min

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In this video, David Brimacombe explains how avoiding stressful situations can impede recovery from post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and concussion. He advocates for exposure therapy—gradually re‑introducing oneself to triggering environments—to teach the nervous system that these situations are safe. By repeatedly stimulating the body in a controlled way, tolerance to stressors increases and the brain’s perception of threat diminishes. Brimacombe emphasizes the use of supportive self‑talk (e.g., “I am safe, I am supported, I am fine”) while navigating these exposures, and advises acknowledging any brain signals that arise rather than ignoring them, as acknowledgment helps the system process the experience without reinforcing fear.

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The more you stimulate yourself to these events, to these environments, and prove to your body and your nervous system that they are not going to cause you harm, that they are actually safe, it increases your tolerance. It increases your body's ability to perceive this as a safe situation. Now, you can layer up by telling yourself as you're going through there, I am safe. I am supported. I am fine. Look at this. When your brain starts to send those signals, you can, you can acknowledge it. You don't have to ignore it. Ignoring it is going to make