There Is a Practical Solution to Reduce the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Regardless of Age or Circumstances!
When you or someone you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether mild or severe, there is hope! You may have experienced or witnessed the impairments of TBI related to thinking or memory, movement, sensation or emotional functioning. There is a great deal of information that can be found on TBI, such as causes, risk factors and symptoms but what one desperately needs is a solution! Thankfully, there is also research that proves physical activity plays an important role in improving functional ability and quality of life following TBI. The research indicates that exercise has a huge impact on both the healing process and maintaining good health.
Evidence also indicates that individuals with TBI’s are often the most physically inactive. This profound physical inactivity is very harmful for health fitness and function. Tandem Strength & Balance, a team of physical therapists with over 20 years of experience, excels at motivating individuals who have sustained TBI’s to achieve greater independence and quality of life through strength-resistance exercise. Our team is knowledgeable in working with individuals who have mild, moderate or severe effects from TBI and design strength-resistance, exercise programs according to the impairment(s), the severity of impairment(s) and the individual’s personal interests.
The Benefits of Exercise in Traumatic Brain Injuries
The loss of memory and mobility are very real aftermath for people with TBIs. However, clinical research demonstrates the positive impacts of exercise and physical activity, including improved brain function, sleep and reductions in falls.
Improved Blood and Oxygen Circulation
Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, as well as improved oxygenation within the body due to lung efficiency. Additionally, the increased blood flow aids in lowering the risks of high cholesterol, coronary artery disease and heart attack. Regular exercise can also lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels, all of which those with TBI are susceptible due to high incidence of inactivity.
Information Processing and Memory
Nerve impulses are improved and travel faster to the brain, which impacts the speed of which information is processed; long- and short-term memory also benefit from exercise. Improvements, in large part, are due to a protein known as brain deprived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF has been shown to improve and protect the central nervous system and support in creating new brain cells.
Balance and Spatial Awareness
Exercise has a positive outcome on body awareness and balance, which means the likelihood of being able to climb stairs at some point or seat oneself in a chair unaided increases dramatically. This is a huge win for those with TBI, considering approximately 30 to 65 percent of people with TBI report dizziness and disequilibrium (lack of balance while sitting or standing) at some point in their recovery.
Mood and Emotional Well-Being
According to the Psychology of Sport and Exercise, improved mood is associated with exercise. Additionally, reports of improved emotional well-being, decreased depression, and a stronger sense of social integration resulted with just two workouts per week. These psychological and mental benefits occur due to a release of endorphins associated with exercise, hence the term Runner’s High.
Private-Pay Physical Therapy Service
TBIs can be difficult to overcome, but with the support of our in-home physical therapists, improved physical, mental and physiological functions can be achieved after Medicare Physical Therapy terminates. While most people agree that rehabilitation should begin as early as possible following a brain injury, it is not uncommon to begin months or years following the injury event. With the help of Tandems Strength & Balance, anyone living with TBI can continue to make improvements in his or her life, no matter how many years have transpired since the injury. If you’d like to schedule a free in-home consultation to learn why you are struggling with TBI and what steps can be taken to improve your quality of life, contact Tandem Strength & Balance online or by phone!
RESEARCH PROVES
Everyone starts to lose strength within 3-5 days after strength training has stopped. So many older adults can not afford to lose any strength because they are just getting by.
DID YOU KNOW?
As physical therapists, we continue to challenge all of our clients in a way that caregivers and families can’t. We address the root cause of their mobility issues and help older adults build strength so they can enjoy their independence and keep living costs lower.