December 5, 2024 by Steve Kerschke, PT
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when external trauma, such as accidents, falls, or sports injuries, damages the brain. TBI can range from mild (like a concussion) to severe, often leading to long-term disabilities that affect physical, cognitive, and emotional functions. However, online therapy offers a lifeline, providing TBI patients with expert care from the comfort of home and ensuring consistent treatment, even when in-person visits aren’t possible. With the right therapy and support, individuals can make significant progress, often regaining crucial cognitive and physical abilities.
While COVID-19 boosted online therapy’s acceptance, its popularity now stems from flexibility, accessibility, and convenience. Virtual sessions allow healthcare providers to deliver training within patients’ actual environments, making therapy more adaptable and practical for daily life. This approach benefits not only those with mobility or transportation challenges but also anyone seeking a convenient, personalized approach to rehabilitation.
Some of the services a TBI patient may receive from online therapy are listed below:
Our guide to online therapy for TBI patients will show you some of the best resources to help you during your recovery. Some patients may not always have friends or family to assist in their recovery. While you are recovering from TBI, online therapy can assist you in finding other resources in your area.
When someone experiences a TBI, they may need to relearn many aspects of daily life, which can be an overwhelming challenge. Online therapy provides a path for TBI survivors to heal, regain skills, and cope with everyday life during their recovery process.
At Kintinu Telerehab, we understand that physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and psychology are vital components of TBI recovery. These treatments help individuals recover physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities, which is why we emphasize them in our online sessions for TBI survivors.
Recovery from a TBI can be a lengthy process, requiring patience and resilience. The road to recovery can span several years.
Many TBI patients find online therapy helpful during this time. Below are some of the key skills that can be recovered by attending online therapy with a specialist.
A TBI may lead to speech and language difficulties, including challenges in finding the right words or forming coherent sentences. Aphasia, a condition affecting the ability to communicate, may result from damage to the brain’s speech centers. Additionally, the muscles that control speech could be impacted, leading to speech difficulties.
Speech and language therapists can work with TBI patients to regain their ability to communicate effectively. Depending on the severity of the injury, therapists may also teach alternative communication methods.
After a TBI, thinking, reasoning, and judgment skills can become impaired, and memory loss is common. Cognitive difficulties may also affect behavior and personality.
For instance, you may have been more social and outgoing before the injury but now feel withdrawn. Alternatively, some individuals with TBI act impulsively due to decreased awareness of the consequences of their actions, which can put safety at risk.
Occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists can help TBI survivors recover cognitive skills and teach strategies to stay safe and function effectively at home and in other environments.
TBIs often lead to muscle weakness, which can make movements such as walking and performing daily activities difficult. Loss of coordination, muscle spasms, and sensory changes—such as difficulty feeling temperature or pressure—can also occur.
Physical therapists can help TBI patients regain strength, balance, and coordination. They provide strategies to manage muscle spasms and adapt to changes in sensory perception, while also teaching techniques to improve mobility and motor function.
Behavioral and emotional changes are common after a TBI. The brain injury may affect mood and behavior, leading to irritability, mood swings, forgetfulness, and confusion. Survivors may also experience anxiety or depression because of both the injury and the changes in their lives.
Although these changes may seem alarming to loved ones, many of these emotional and behavioral difficulties improve with time and therapeutic intervention. Working with therapists and joining online support groups can help TBI survivors regain control over their emotions, cope with moments of anxiety and depression, and navigate their recovery process.
As you recover from TBI, your doctors, nurses, and other specialists will provide you with resources to assist you. In addition, some people may want to learn more about TBI and what to expect on their own.
Below are some great online resources for you to look over during your free time:
In addition to therapy, reading can offer valuable insights into brain injury recovery. Here are some highly recommended books for TBI patients and their families:
Our guide to online therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury patients is just the beginning of how Kintinu Telerehab can support your recovery. Every TBI journey is unique, and we tailor our care to meet each patient’s specific needs.
At Kintinu Telerehab, we offer physical, occupational, and speech therapy for TBI patients, along with emotional support and counseling. If you’d like to learn more about our services, please contact us today!
January 20, 2025 by Steve Kerschke, PT
Concussions, a common form of mild traumatic brain injury, often result from falls, sports, or car accidents. Despite being considered “mild,” they can cause lasting cognitive, physical, and emotional issues, […]
December 20, 2024 by Steve Kerschke, PT
In mental health and brain injury rehabilitation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers hope and transformation, particularly when recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Rooted in the understanding that our […]
September 17, 2024 by Steve Kerschke, PT
Parenting Fail Just the other night, my boys were glued to the TV watching the NBA playoffs. Their team, the Memphis Grizzlies, was facing off against Lebron James and the […]
