Unlike most cells in your body, the brain cells don’t regenerate after their destruction. However, it does not imply that you won’t recover from brain injury. The brain will reorganize itself to regain the lost operation. Other brain areas will resume the damaged regions’ roles, and newer signaling pathways will get established using the intact cells. Participating in the various activities helps in the development of the alternative paths.
Rehabilitation centers provide advanced therapies and treatments to promote life quality and restore independence among individuals with brain injuries. Injuries to the brain may interfere with your behavior control, thinking skills, safe swallowing, communication, walking, and movements.
Rehabilitation after brain injury is essential in your journey to recovery. Note that the recovery process may last for weeks, a few months, or it could be lifelong. Brain injuries are different. The classes include:
- Severe brain injury, which may result in long-term coma.
- Moderate brain injury, there is a loss of consciousness.
- Mild brain injury entails a slight change in the mental status.
Bear in mind that any injury to the brain may lead to permanent disabilities and prolonged symptoms. Hence, the need to seek rehabilitation programs as fast as possible. With an improvement in your physical status, the rehabilitation program will then focus on your specific needs.
Importance of Rehabilitation.
Importance of rehabilitation therapy include:
- It helps you cope with changes as you recover.
- It provides you with emotional and social support.
- It helps in treating physical and mental problems resulting from traumatic brain injury.
- Improves your ability to operate within the community and at home.
After sustaining a traumatic brain injury, it is advisable to get effective treatment and care before joining any rehabilitation program. Consider the following:
- Recovering within the hospital.
- Undergo surgical procedures to repair skull and brain injuries.
- Comprehensive care treatment.
Types of Rehabilitation.
Numerous rehabilitation options exist but depend on your ability to participate in such programs.
Acute Rehabilitation.
Upon sustaining a brain injury, you will start on acute rehabilitation program as fast as possible. The treatment occurs in select units of trauma hospitals, inpatient settings, or rehabilitation hospitals. In an acute rehabilitation program, you will work with specialized health professionals to participate in numerous daily activities. Such daily activities include speaking, walking, bathroom use, eating, and dressing.
Post-Acute Rehab.
When you are stable enough to take part in therapies, you will join a post-acute rehab program, including a transitional rehab facility. The facilities are also known as transitional living and residential rehabilitation. The aim is to assist you in becoming independent. The therapy lasts for about six hours daily. This extensive rehabilitation is the standard treatment and care after sustaining brain injury.
Sub-Acute Rehab.
If you are unable to tolerate the intensive therapies, you will join the sub-acute program. It is the most suitable rehabilitation program in case you require fewer intensive services for a prolonged time. It is also designed for patients with progress in acute rehabilitation program but aren’t making quick functional gains. Sub-acute services are available in numerous settings, including nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities.
Day Treatment.
The program offers rehabilitation in established group settings at day time and allows you to return to your homes at night. After your discharge from inpatient post-acute rehab, you may transition to the day program. Other patients may directly proceed to the sub-acute rehab upon release from hospitals.
Outpatient Therapy.
After sub-acute, post-acute, and acute rehabilitation programs, you may decide to join outpatient therapies so that you enhance and maintain your recovery. It is the most suitable program in case your injury was not too serious to require hospitalization.
You will also undergo an individualized rehabilitation program, including social support, language, and speech therapy. Additionally, you may undergo psychological care, psychiatric care, occupational therapy, and physical medicine. The length of rehabilitation and the follow-up plan depend on your brain injury’s severity and your response to the treatments. Bear in mind that long-term effects of traumatic brain injury such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease may appear later in life.
Renowned rehabilitation centers in the US provide both natural and medical rehabilitation programs for brain injury. The natural remedy for brain injury will offer more gentle alternatives to pharmaceutical medications and possible harmful side effects. The natural treatments aren’t a perfect replacement for the modern medical techniques but play a supplementary role to the brain injury management plan.
Natural Treatment to Brain Injuries.
Always consult your physician before initiating the natural remedies to be sure of their safety level. If you have a brain injury, you may consider the following natural remedies:
1.Massage Therapy.
Balance issues and cognitive defects are symptoms associated with mild traumatic injury to the brain. The symptoms resemble those of whiplash. So, if the symptoms seem not to reduce, there are high chances that the problem lies on your neck. Massage therapy will assist you in relieving your neck tension and eliminating the symptoms.
2. Aquatic Therapy.
If you are a victim of brain injury with severe physical limitations, consider aquatic therapy. It is an effective physical therapy carried out in warm water pools. The water will make your body more comfortable and lighter to move while providing adequate resistance to boost your strength. Aquatic therapy benefits include:
- It improves balance and body posture.
- It enhances the circulation of blood and cardiac operation.
- Lowers gravity force to allow easy walking.
- It reduces spasticity and muscle spasms.
3. Vitamins and Healthy Food.
The natural foods you take is one of the best treatments for brain injury. Besides, your brain requires fuel to heal, and function and the primary source of that fuel is the meal you eat. Consider taking meals rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. These products will stimulate the regeneration of new nerve cells and minimize inflammation.
Avocados, blueberries, and salmon are also useful in brain healing. Consider incorporating curcumin into your diet as it because of its neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. If you cannot get adequate amounts of nutrients through the meals, use a vitamin supplement to boost the brain healing process.
4. Metronome Therapy.
Interactive metronome therapies are effective in managing your cognitive problems. The treatment challenges you to synchronize various foot and hand exercises to the computer-generated tone. It involves the use of repetitive motor action to match the rhythmic beats. Metronome therapy improves coordination, improves the ability to monitor both physical and mental status. It also filters out distractions and improves concentration.
5. Acupuncture.
Acupuncture will assist you in relieving the various side effects of traumatic brain injury. Studies hint that it stimulates the production of a neurotrophic agent that helps in producing newer brain cells.
6. Oxygen Therapy.
The therapy involves inhaling pure oxygen for about 60 to 90 minutes. The treatment aims to ensure that your brain gets extra oxygen to recover from the injuries. The study reveals that hyperbaric oxygen therapy minimizes inflammation in the injured brain tissue. When used together with other treatments, you will achieve a better therapeutic outcome.
7. Aromatherapy.
Studies reveal that essential oils effectively lower nausea, depression, and anxiety symptoms, which are the side effects associated with traumatic brain injury. It is advisable to consult your physician for proper guidance to prevent any possible drug interaction.
8. Prevention of Brain Injury.
Most brain injuries are preventable. To reduce the risks for brain injury, you should take alcohol in moderation in case you have to. Avoid abuse of illegal drugs, drive carefully, and wear seat belts while in the cars. Remember to put on your helmets while cycling or sporting. You may also prevent children from falling off the windows by installing window guards.
For effective brain injury treatment, consider contacting the following renowned centers because of their excellent services.