What Is The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Process? Recovering From A Brain Injury

Brain injuries can often be life-changing, and while it can be possible to recover completely, the rehabilitation process is crucial.

The following guide will cover what a brain injury is and the various steps involved in the journey toward rehabilitation.  

What is a brain injury? 

A brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged, typically by a blow or trauma to the head. They can vary massively in severity, from mild concussions to more severe injuries resulting in a coma or vegetative state. 

Unlike other cells, those in the brain do not regenerate when they are destroyed, which is why many brain injuries can be so impactful. This isn’t to say that recovery isn’t possible but that it must be approached differently from other injuries.

Due to the complexity of the brain, the rehabilitation process for these injuries is crucial and will be completely personalized to an individual’s circumstances.

It is almost impossible to predict how long the process can take, but it can range from several months to several years.

There is likely to be more clarity on this after the first six months of recovery, which will then help to outline the types of rehabilitation therapy that will be best suited to recover from the injury. 

Diagnosis

The first step, as with any injury, is diagnosing the issue. In some cases, this will be clearer than others, so a qualified health professional must be responsible for the diagnosis to find out the best course for treatment and rehabilitation.

It is best to see a medical professional who is trained in head and brain injuries to ensure you receive the correct diagnosis the first time, if a severe condition is not diagnosed as such, then this could lead to further and more complex issues.

Some medical procedures and prices for rehabilitation can be expensive, so it is a good idea to speak to a lawyer about brain injury claims if the injury wasn’t a result of your actions. This can be a good route to get compensation to cover treatment.

Similarly, a brain injury could result in you being out of work for a significant period, with the potential for long-lasting effects on your work life, so this is also a situation where you may want to look into getting compensation to cover losses of income if the brain injury was not your fault.

The following treatment

Treatment following a brain injury will depend entirely on the severity of the condition. For example, some mild injuries require no treatment but instead need close monitoring and require some time off work too.

For these types of issues, it is generally advised to refrain from physical and cognitive activities where possible to allow the brain to rest and recover without sustaining further damage that could make the injury worse.

For more severe injuries, emergency care and surgery may be required. These will typically be undertaken to ensure the sufferer has sufficient oxygen and blood supply and to prevent further injury or damage to the brain.

Regardless of severity, due to the sensitivity of the brain, immediate care followed by adequate rest and recovery is crucial. 

Therapies

Depending on the type of brain injury that occurred, different kinds of therapies can be beneficial to help with the recovery process.

This could be physical therapy, neuropsychological therapy, or speech therapy. This can help to mitigate some of the symptoms of brain injury, such as difficulties walking or speech.

Where these therapies are undertaken can also vary, from inpatient, outpatient, or community rehabilitation.

A healthcare professional is the best person to contact to advise you on the most appropriate facility for your particular injury and rehabilitation requirements.