Evidence-Based Care for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Have you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI)? This term covers a wide range of injury types–from a bump on the head to an object penetrating the skull. What these injuries all have in common is that they impact the way your brain works, leading to a wide range of symptoms. Fortunately, the team at Go Physical Therapy Children's Rehab Center can help.
Call our Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney or Lincoln, NE clinic to learn more about the ways we can help you navigate life after a traumatic brain injury.
The Different Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Not all traumatic brain injuries are the same. In fact, experts generally divide them into two broad categories:
Penetrating or Open TBI
This refers to TBIs in which an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. These injuries typically only affect one part of the brain.
Non-Penetrating or Closed TBI
This refers to TBIs that occur after the brain jostles inside the skull due to a sudden external force, such as a fall, motor vehicle accident, or sports injury.
TBIs can vary wildly in severity. The least severe type of TBI–and the most common–is a concussion. It causes temporary damage to the brain and relatively minor symptoms. However, there are more severe types of TBIs as well, such as contusions (bruising or swelling in the brain) or skull fractures.
Understanding TBI Symptoms
TBI symptoms will vary wildly based not only on the severity of the injury but also on the location of the damage. Here are some, but not all, of the possible symptoms of a TBI:
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, nausea, vomiting, or fatigue
- Cognitive symptoms: Loss of consciousness, confusion, mood changes, or sleeping difficulties
- Sensory symptoms: Vertigo, balance difficulties, double vision, or light sensitivity
Comprehensive, Personalized TBI Rehabilitation
TBI rehabilitation can take many forms based on the nature of the injury. At Go Physical Therapy Children's Rehab Center, we’ll work closely with you and other care team members to ensure you receive the best possible care.
While rehabilitating a mild TBI, like a concussion, is fairly straightforward, rehabilitating severe TBIs requires a multidisciplinary team to ensure all your needs are met. Here are the roles that we can play in the process:
- Physical Therapy: Our physical therapists will work with you to improve movement and functionality. We’ll show you specialized exercises to improve muscular strength and endurance, and we can help you restore balance and coordination.
- Occupational Therapy: Our occupational therapists will help you recover the ability to perform day-to-day tasks and work with you to improve or manage cognitive challenges. We can also help you identify modifications to increase your independence and quality of life.
- Speech Therapy: If your TBI has impacted your ability to speak or communicate, our speech therapists can help you restore those abilities or find alternative means of communication. We can also help with swallowing difficulties.
AT Go Physical Therapy Children's Rehab Center, WE CAN HELP
No matter your needs after a TBI, Go Physical Therapy Children's Rehab Center is here to help.