TBI RECOVERY AND REHABILITATION

Recovery from traumatic brain injuries varies widely based on the severity of the injury. For people who have sustained mild brain injuries, an extended period of rest might be enough to bring about a full recovery. However, when a brain injury is more severe, the recovery process may take months or even years to complete, and rehabilitation will usually be required.

Unfortunately, there is no way to repair damaged brain tissue. The goal of initial treatment after a serious brain injury is to prevent further brain damage from occurring. After the damage caused by your brain injury has been controlled, you will need to begin rehabilitation in order to regain normal functioning. In many cases, this will involve relearning actions that had previously been second nature.

TBI generally affects your entire brain. This is very different from other conditions, such as a stroke, which only impact a specific region of your brain. The broad scope of many brain injuries makes recovery and rehabilitation a long and complicated process.

There are many studies indicating that the human brain is able to adapt to changes in cell functioning. Humans lose neurons on a daily basis as a part of the aging process. As a result, the neurons that are left establish new connections and pathways that enable them to function normally.

When you suffer a serious brain injury, your brain tries to adapt in a similar way. During the recovery process, healthy brain tissue will try to take over many of the functions previously performed by the damaged region. The purpose of rehabilitation is to aid your brain in creating these new connections and pathways so that you can once again function at a normal level.

Rehabilitation treatments for people suffering from TBI include:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Psychiatric or psychological counseling

The treatment methods and length of your rehabilitation will vary based on the nature and severity of your brain injury.