Physiotherapy for Brain Injury in Redlands

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): The role of a Physiotherapist.

Including Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Parkinson’s Disease, Anoxic Brain Injury, Vascular Dementia and more.

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is a life-altering condition that significantly impacts a person’s physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities. Whether resulting from trauma, stroke, or other medical conditions, ABI can leave individuals with impaired mobility, chronic pain, and reduced independence. It’s a reality that over 700,000 Australians live with daily, including close to 20,000 NDIS participants.

The road to recovery after a brain injury (ABI) can be long, but with the right support, significant progress is achievable. Physiotherapy offers a personalized approach to improving strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing, empowering individuals to regain their independence.

Visit Synapse for their comprehensive guide to Acquired Brain Injury

How an Acquired Brain Injury affects Mobility

Everyone’s brain injury is different, which kind of seems like an overused phrase. But considering the brain is responsible for almost every single function that we can think of, the nature and level of disability experienced by those with an Acquired Brain Injury is incredibly diverse.

Physiotherapy treatment for Brain Injury is primarily focused on improving independence with mobility, or ‘Gross Motor Function’. These are larger movement tasks such as walking, transferring, bed mobility and use of the upper limbs for everyday tasks. All of which can be significantly affected from brain injury.

Improving Mobility after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

Physiotherapy is an essential part of the rehabilitation process for people with ABI. For individuals with physical impairments, physiotherapists provide specialised treatments aimed at restoring movement, reducing pain, and promoting functional independence.

One of the most common challenges faced by individuals with ABI is difficulty with mobility. The figure attached highlights the importance of an thorough and detailed Mobility Assessment. Gaining valuable insight into the factors that are limiting your independence shapes the role a Physiotherapist takes and the treatment options used.

Person 1: Has sustained a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and will need to focus on exercises for strength and coordination as well as being very mindful of their safety when mobilising due to seizures.

Person 2: Has sustained an Acquired Brain Injury due to a Stroke, will have a strong focus on activities that improve coordination and awareness of their surroundings while being mindful of using pacing techniques to minimise the affect of physical or cognitive fatigue.

Safety when mobilising is equally as important for independence as falls are one of the leading causes of Acquired Brain injury, not to mention further prolonged periods hospitalisation which can be devastating for someone’s physical independence. Strong collaboration with an Occupational Therapist is needed to ensure the environment and mobility aids are suitable for maximising mobility without increasing the risk of falls.

“50% of people who experience a Traumatic Brain Injury report also experiencing Chronic Pain.”

Acquired Brain Injury Outreach Service. 2021

Reducing Chronic Pain from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) through Physiotherapy.

Chronic Pain can been more disabling than anything else for those with an Acquired Brain Injury and is often caused by sensitivity to sensory input, chronic headaches, or from other injuries that occurred during or after the onset of a Brain Injury (such as a motor vehicle accidents or falls).

Treatment for Chronic Pain can involve hands-on Physiotherapy treatments such as joint mobilisation and treatment to soft tissues around the head and neck.

Through experience, Dry Needling in particular has been very effective in managing pain levels and in SOME cases has improved cognitive function, lessened the need for pain medication and reduced seizures for several days.

Physiotherapy for Brain Injury in Redlands

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): The role of a Physiotherapist.

Including Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Parkinson’s Disease, Anoxic Brain Injury, Vascular Dementia and more.

How an Acquired Brain Injury affects Mobility

Improving Mobility after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

“50% of people who experience a Traumatic Brain Injury report also experiencing Chronic Pain.”

Reducing Chronic Pain from Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) through Physiotherapy.

100% Mobile and Experienced Physiotherapy

Our comprehensive mobile Physiotherapy service comes to you, providing tailored treatment for Acquired Brain Injury at home.

Being mobile opens up countless possibilities to ensure your personalised service is complimented by the environment that best suits your goals.

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