• 15 Jun, 2025
• Dr. Taher Chugh

Healing Beyond Medicine and Breaking the Myths: Dr. Taher Chugh on Concussions, Recovery, and Mental Resilience

Magazica: Dear readers and viewers, today we have with us a dedicated physician committed to comprehensive patient care. Dr. Taher Chugh is the medical director of the Toronto Concussion Clinic and the Institute for Behavioral and Functional Medicine. With a background in family medicine, sports medicine, and psychotherapy, Dr. Chugh’s approach focuses on empowering individuals to achieve healthier lives. His dedication to thinking outside the box to improve patient well-being makes his insights particularly valuable.
Welcome, Dr. Chugh, to Magazica.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Thanks for having me.

Magazica: You have dedicated a significant part of your career to understanding and treating concussions. For our readers who may not be familiar with concussions, could you explain in simple terms what a concussion is and why it’s so important to take it seriously?

Dr. Taher Chugh: Our brains function in networks, with different areas working in cooperation. When a concussion occurs, part of that network is disrupted—it essentially goes offline. As a result, individuals may find that they can’t perform certain tasks the way they used to.

Treatment focuses on reactivating those circuits and restoring normal function. It’s not something a doctor can do for you—you have to train your brain back into balance.

There are many conditions that work similarly. For example, an ankle sprain is treated through neuromuscular control training, which lasts about twelve weeks. This training helps individuals relearn muscle coordination, timing, and integration with breathing and focus. In the same way, concussion recovery involves retraining the affected neural networks so you can regain function.

Magazica: You serve as the medical director of the Toronto Concussion Clinic. Over time, what are some of the most common misconceptions you’ve encountered about concussions? What would you like everyone to understand?

Dr. Taher Chugh: One major misconception is that post-concussion syndrome is a formal diagnosis—it isn’t. It hasn’t been recognized as a diagnosis for about fifteen years now, even though systems like OHIP and insurance companies still use the term. The correct term is persistent concussion symptoms, but even that isn’t a true diagnosis. It simply means that a brain injury has occurred and that the person is experiencing various symptoms. The key is to identify the specific conditions affecting the individual rather than grouping them under a general umbrella.

Another misconception is the belief that concussions require objective testing—like MRIs, CT scans, or blood tests—for proper diagnosis. However, concussions are clinical diagnoses, much like headaches. We diagnose and treat them based on symptoms rather than relying on imaging or lab tests. Unfortunately, insurance companies and legal systems still focus on methods, looking for structural damage rather than understanding the functional changes that concussions cause.

Once people understand these misconceptions, they gain a clearer perspective on their condition and how to manage it effectively.

Magazica: That’s very insightful. The way you explain it makes so much sense, but sometimes the overall perspective seems stuck in a traditional framework.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Yeah, exactly.

Magazica: Your background includes training in both sports medicine and psychotherapy. How do these two seemingly different fields intersect when it comes to helping individuals recover from injuries and improve their overall health?

Dr. Taher Chugh: I don’t see them as that different—I view them as two sides of the same coin. If you look at professional athletes, psychology is a crucial part of their training. My focus has been on functional rehabilitation, helping people align their performance with their personal goals.

When treating back injuries, for example, we start by analyzing biomechanics and teaching patients the foundational movements that prevent further injury. However, many people also experience fear around movement due to preconceived notions of pain and consequences. Helping them shift their psychological perspective can be incredibly beneficial.

I remember in medical school at Sunnybrook, around 2004 or 2005, an orthopedic surgeon gave a talk. He had clinics in New York, California, and Toronto, and was highly experienced in treating back injuries. About halfway through, I found myself confused and asked him, “Sir, are you a psychiatrist or an orthopedic surgeon?” He laughed and replied, “I’m an orthopedic surgeon, but psychology plays a major role in injury treatment.”

This interaction stuck with me. Take, for example, a patient with a disc herniation visible on an MRI—it doesn’t necessarily mean they will experience pain or disability. Conversely, someone with an unremarkable MRI may suffer from significant pain and impairment. This highlights the misconception that every medical condition can be diagnosed through imaging or lab tests. The brain functions across multiple dimensions, and understanding these complexities is key to effective treatment.

Magazica: That reminds me of a quote I once read: We human beings are not a body with a mind; we are a mind with a body. The mind is just as important as the body, and patient care must address both psychological and physiological aspects.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Absolutely. I remember working with a post-concussion patient who struggled with screen sensitivity. While there’s extensive physiological research on managing this, she had already returned to work, so pausing everything to focus solely on retraining wasn’t an option.

I decided to do a solution-focused session with her, guiding her to explore alternative strategies and leverage her personal strengths. Within a week, her resilience to screen exposure improved dramatically—not because I gave her specific instructions, but because she reframed the challenge on a psychological level. It reinforced for me just how fundamental psychology is in recovery.

Magazica: That’s an inspiring example. You have a strong commitment to addressing healthcare inequalities. Can you tell us more about the importance of accessible care, particularly in post-concussion treatment and related mental health support?

Dr. Taher Chugh: That’s a big question—I could go in many directions, but I’ll keep it straightforward.

Take persistent concussion symptoms, for example. The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation provides excellent guidelines that are internationally recognized, but patients in Ontario often struggle to access that care.

Or consider insomnia—it’s widely discussed now, especially with high-profile figures like Bryan Johnson promoting sleep research. About 10% of the population experiences chronic insomnia, and 40% face occasional sleep disturbances. We know the gold standard for treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), yet most people have never heard of it. While doctors understand it’s the recommended approach, many patients are still prescribed sleeping pills that provide short-term relief but don’t address the root cause.

This is where my interest lies—ensuring people receive treatments that train their physiology rather than just manage symptoms. True recovery comes from strengthening the body and mind rather than relying solely on medication.

For example, I recently spoke at the Brain Injury Society of Toronto about sleep challenges in brain injury patients. PTSD is a major factor affecting sleep for many, and patients often rely on medications that alter sleep architecture, particularly REM sleep, which is crucial for memory consolidation and PTSD recovery. We know psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for PTSD, but accessing it remains a challenge for many. That’s why improving healthcare accessibility is so essential.

Magazica: And whenever you mention REM sleep, that refers to rapid eye movement sleep.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Yes.

Magazica: From a layman’s perspective, sleep occurs in layers—there’s non-REM sleep and REM sleep. If we don’t experience REM sleep, it affects our health in the long term.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Absolutely. If you’re not getting REM sleep, you’re likely also missing out on deep sleep stages. Since sleep occurs in cycles, an incomplete cycle can lead to consequences such as memory problems, cognitive decline, cardiac issues, inflammation, immune system dysfunction, fatigue, and mental health struggles.

Magazica: That’s concerning! For our readers interested in preventive health, are there proactive steps they can take in daily life to minimize the risk of concussion, whether they’re athletes or not?

Dr. Taher Chugh: Well, I have four daughters, and one of the things I do is avoid putting them in sports with a high risk of concussion. I know this is controversial—some of my colleagues disagree—but I personally don’t see the point unless they demonstrate extraordinary natural talent, like Messi or Ronaldo, and gravitate toward those sports. Otherwise, I encourage them to participate in lower-risk activities like running, swimming, and gymnastics.

Beyond that, general awareness of what causes brain injuries is crucial. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

When I work with patients, I always take a history of how they sustained their injury. In cases of car accidents, for example, I’ve noticed that most crashes happen in similar ways. That awareness has made me more cautious—not anxious, just mindful—while driving, and I’ve avoided several accidents because of it. Spending some time understanding common mechanisms of concussion risk can make a significant difference in preventing injuries.

Magazica: That makes perfect sense. The recovery process for post-concussion health challenges can be a journey. What mental or emotional strategies do you encourage your patients to adopt to stay motivated, resilient, and focused?

Dr. Taher Chugh: This varies from person to person, but generally, the patients who recover best are the ones who stay relaxed.

Relaxed individuals don’t over-focus on what they’ve lost or what they can’t do. Instead, they think, Okay, this is where I am today. What’s one small step I can take to move closer to where I want to be? When they focus on that, progress happens faster.

I recall meeting Andre De Grasse, Canada’s most decorated Olympic athlete, after he won silver in 2016. Watching him compete, I was struck by how calm and composed he looked standing next to Usain Bolt, who had this huge, larger-than-life personality. Despite never having heard of De Grasse before, I noticed his poise, and sure enough, he performed brilliantly.

When I met him, I asked how he managed to stay so calm under pressure. He told me he simply focuses on his race—just the rhythm of each step. He doesn’t think about anything else. That mindset, that ability to tune out external noise and focus only on the next step, is what allows athletes like him to perform at the highest level.

I found that fascinating because when we watch Olympic races, we think the athletes are caught up in the thrill, pushing harder and harder. But in reality, they’re just staying present, taking the next step with precision.

Magazica: That’s a fantastic insight! You’ve been practicing medicine for over a decade, having graduated from the University of Toronto in 2006. (I’m happy to share that I’m also a U of T graduate!) What are some of the most significant advancements you’ve observed in concussion management and behavioral medicine during your career?

Dr. Taher Chugh: Neuroscience has been booming, and it has influenced a lot of medical decision-making. Patients are also more informed now—possibly due to social media—which has changed expectations.

People today are no longer content with just managing symptoms; they want freedom to live their lives on their own terms. That shift calls for a functional approach to help individuals optimize their performance.

When I was in medical school, treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia weren’t widely discussed, nor was brain injury rehabilitation. These topics received very little attention. But now, functional treatments that help patients train their way to recovery are gaining momentum.

Magazica: I really appreciate how you put it—that today’s patients want freedom and functional solutions. That captures the shift in public expectations so well. To unpack that idea further, many of our readers are interested in adopting a healthier lifestyle. From your expertise, what are one or two fundamental principles of health—physical or mental—that you believe everyone should prioritize?

Dr. Taher Chugh: Actually, can I go back to the previous question for a moment? That discussion got me thinking—while patient preferences and goals have evolved, many of the strategies we use today have been around for a long time but were overlooked for various reasons.

For instance, in the 1970s, assertiveness training was considered a first-line therapy used to address a variety of challenges. However, it gradually fell out of favor as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) gained traction. Since CBT became widely recognized as evidence-based, everyone focused on it, and assertiveness training faded into the background.

But recently, there has been a resurgence in its use. Studies have shown that assertiveness training offers benefits across multiple diagnoses—it’s transdiagnostic, meaning it helps with a range of conditions while actively investing in brain function.

I recall working with a patient who was struggling with depression, and through our conversations, it became clear that his main frustration stemmed from his desire to get into dental school. He had been rejected twice, and his self-confidence had taken a hit. Rather than focusing solely on managing his emotions, we worked on his communication skills and assertiveness training so he could perform better in interviews.

When he had a third interview, he practiced the assertiveness techniques we had worked on—and he got in. Years later, he sent me an email telling me his life had changed significantly, expressing gratitude for our work together. He even invited me to stay with him if I was ever in town.

This experience reinforced the idea that valuable therapeutic approaches often fade from mainstream attention due to cultural and political shifts. Some of the most effective strategies aren’t new—we just need to rediscover them.

Magazica: That’s a fantastic reflection, and the story is truly inspiring. Now, returning to my question—what are one or two fundamental principles of health, whether physical or mental, that you believe everyone should prioritize?

Dr. Taher Chugh: If you ask most people, they’d probably say sleep, diet, exercise, and stress management. And I agree those are important, but if I had to pick just one or two, I’d choose:

1. Exercise – Because when you prioritize movement, so many other aspects of health tend to improve naturally. Your diet tends to improve, your sleep gets better, your mood stabilizes—it’s a foundational piece of overall wellness.

2. Self-awareness and self-care – I think it’s essential to spend time truly understanding and appreciating yourself—what brings you joy, what’s important to you, and how you want to invest in yourself. Even reflecting on how you want to be remembered after you’re gone can provide a meaningful perspective. Some call this spiritual wellness, but at its core, it’s about building a strong, positive relationship with yourself.

Magazica: That’s beautifully put—having a strong relationship with yourself and understanding what truly matters. For individuals who feel lost or overwhelmed in their health journeys—whether recovering from an illness or struggling with personal challenges—what is one piece of advice you would offer to help them take the first step toward positive change?

Dr. Taher Chugh: I’d share my personal story. Early in my career, I was always athletic, but in my twenties, I suffered a serious lumbar disc herniation. For over a year and a half, my health declined dramatically—I dropped from 210 pounds to 170 pounds, and it affected my life in every way.

I sought medical advice, tried physiotherapy, and followed standard recommendations, but I wasn’t getting better. At the time, I wasn’t a sports doctor, but this experience is what ultimately led me into sports medicine.

I reached out to Dr. Stuart McGill, a biomechanics expert at the University of Waterloo, and though we didn’t speak much, his insights helped me rebuild my strength, biomechanics, and overall physiology. Thanks to these principles, I’ve fully recovered. I’m now 45 years old, and I can still kettlebell swing 48 kg without issues—despite not exercising rigorously. The key was training my body to function optimally rather than just managing symptoms.

From my personal experience, I’d emphasize two things:

1. Ask for help – Seeking guidance is important. Don’t try to tackle everything alone.

2. Take accountability – While experts can guide you, recovery is ultimately your responsibility. You have to do the work.

Magazica: That’s an incredibly inspiring takeaway—asking for help, but also taking ownership of your health. That truly covers a lot of ground.

As we near the end of our conversation, I’d like to ask you one final question: Your dedication to continuous learning and improving clinical practices is

evident. What inspires this ongoing pursuit of knowledge, and how does it ultimately benefit your patients?

Your previous story is a perfect segue into this final question.

Dr. Taher Chugh: Exactly—experiences like that changed my life, and I just want to share that knowledge with others.

I see the spirit of medicine as a field dedicated to empowering people with knowledge and the freedom to live life on their own terms. My goal is to be a part of that mission.

Magazica: That’s a powerful perspective. On a related note, we live in a fast-paced world—people are often sleep-deprived, overworked, and dealing with trauma. Some individuals who have experienced trauma have unlocked new abilities, such as heightened language or mathematical skills. How can they best navigate their past experiences while moving forward?

Dr. Taher Chugh: Oh, like post-traumatic stress disorder?

Magazica: Yes, something like that.

Dr. Taher Chugh: There are effective treatments available for PTSD, including cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy. However, even privately, these services can be difficult to access, which is unfortunate because so many people need them.

Let me share a personal story.

Years ago, my eldest daughter received a dire diagnosis with a poor prognosis. It affected me deeply and impacted my mental health—something I hadn’t fully understood before, even as a physician. That experience led me into psychotherapy.

For two years, I wasn’t consciously avoiding the issue, but I wasn’t addressing it either. It affected my relationships and my overall well-being. One day, I was watching my daughter—she was two years old at the time, playing with her toy kitchenette. She turned around and, realizing her mother wasn’t nearby, panicked as though I was someone to fear.

It was a moment of clarity for me. She wasn’t passive-aggressively trying to make me feel bad—she was genuinely afraid. That realization hit hard.

From that moment on, I shifted my focus. Instead of dwelling on the problem, I started asking myself, What do I want? Given the reality I was living in, what matters most?

I didn’t want our experience to define our relationship negatively. I didn’t want to look back and realize I had wasted an opportunity to truly be present for her.

That mindset helped me push through the discomfort. It wasn’t about magically erasing the pain—it was about channeling it into something meaningful. And fortunately, my daughter recovered. We recently celebrated her ninth birthday.

That journey reminded me of a saying by Mark Twain:

I Am an Old Man and Have Known a Great Many Troubles, But Most of Them Never Happened

After that experience, I made a decision—I wouldn’t let worry consume me anymore. It’s the biggest thief. It takes everything and gives nothing in return.

But I also acknowledge that advice like this isn’t always easy to hear, especially when someone is in the middle of trauma. Healing is a journey, and different phases require different approaches. If I could give one guiding thought, though, it would be this: Identify what you want and start moving toward it.

Circumstances may be beyond your control, but there’s often something within reach—something meaningful that can still be shaped.

Magazica: That’s an incredibly powerful and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing such a deeply personal experience with our readers and viewers. Dr. Taher Chugh, it has been an honor to have you with us today. Thank you so much.

Dr. Taher Chugh: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.