Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused initially by a blow to the head. TBI also includes potential complications seen after the initial injury caused by lack of oxygen to the brain tissues or increased pressure within the skull.
At PhysioActive we treat all types of injury including:
- Subdural haematoma
- Epidural haematoma
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage
- Intraparenchymal haemorrhage
- Intraventricular haemorrhage
Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury
Individuals can present with a huge variety of symptoms following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These symptoms depend on the type of TBI suffered, its severity, the area of the brain affected and the extent of damage to the brain tissue. Common effects seen are:
- Physical Changes
- reduced mobility
- altered muscle tone – high /low
- altered movement patterns
- altered co-ordination
- altered balance
- Chronic pain
- Dizziness
- Changes to normal body functions
- Cognitive deficits
- Speech and language problems
- Changes in sensation
- Perceptual difficulties
- Visual disturbances
- Increased or reduced hearing
- Loss of smell
- Loss of taste
- Seizures
- Social / emotional changes
Traumatic Brain Injury Physiotherapy Treatment
Many traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors are left with significant disability. The brain is, however, very adaptable and, with the correct physiotherapy input, recovery can take place over a period of years. Treatment can help:
- improve balance and walking
- increase ability to roll / move in bed / sit / stand
- reduce muscle spasms, pain and stiffness
- increase strength
- retrain normal patterns of movement
- increase affected arm and leg function
- reduce or eliminate dizziness symptoms
- increase energy levels
- increase independence and quality of life
- decrease risk of falls