Recovering after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually frustrating and lasts a long time. As a result, it is very important that victims know how to speed up recovery. While there will be times when everything will feel overwhelming and there are differences from one case to the next, there are some steps you can take in order to make sure you recover as fast as possible.
According to traumatic brain injury lawyers who have access to countless data about such cases, recovery is possible, but you need to do your part. The tips below will help you to speed up the healing process after TBI.
Activate Brain Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity practically means the ability of the brain to actively rewire itself. You need to activate this because it allows the healthy brain cells to start controlling areas affected by the injury. TBI survivors get back their abilities because of this.
Several things can be done to activate neuroplasticity, like massed practice exercises, which means going through lots of repetitions. When you practice some exercises over and over, the brain creates new neural pathways. Actions get easier and easier.
Look For Knowledgeable Practitioners
While this is common sense, it is a shame to see how many make the mistake of just going to the first referred therapist or doctor. You need to look for specialists that know as much as possible about how to properly treat TBI. There are actually several professionals you should use, including:
- Physiatrists – These physicians specialize in the use of rehabilitative medicine. They will analyze the entire treatment and will direct the other specialists so proper care is always in place.
- Physical Therapists – They help restore normal muscle functions.
- Occupational Therapists – They will help regain functional independence. This is done by helping victims relearn activities.
- Neuropsychologists – They specialize in the brain injury’s emotional and cognitive effects.
- Speech Pathologists – They help victims deal with communication problems.
At Home Therapy
Every week you will need to visit the occupational and physical therapists. But, this is not enough to recover fast. You have to practice exercises and do this at home. The therapist will give you a list of home exercises and it is up to you to do them.
When your budget allows it, you can supplement your recovery with home therapy devices.
Use Relaxation Techniques
Anxiety and stress will make the brain function at a lower efficiency level. And stress also causes problems with your attention skills and memory.
Because of the fact that brain injuries will affect attention and memory, stress makes all impairments worse. As a result, it is always a very good idea to do all you can to reduce stress if you suffer from traumatic brain injury.
If you need to relax, mindfulness meditation is a great place to start. It actually helps the brain to get better faster.
Use External Motivation
Last but not least, especially when you start to recover, you might need some extra motivation. Impaired motivation is actually a part of the life of some people affected by traumatic brain injuries. You have to stay active or mobility and the condition can get worse.