Neurological injuries arise from a multitude of causes and can affect every part of your body. Though the term neurological injury is sometimes used to mean a brain injury, it also encompasses spinal cord injuries, skull or spine fractures, and peripheral nerve damage.
For most people with a neurological trauma, physical therapy is essential to their recovery. Our team at Prolete Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine specializes in creating customized treatment plans that help you overcome your injury and return to a thriving lifestyle.
Signs of a traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow to the head damages nerves and causes chemical changes in the brain. For a time, your brain doesn’t function the way it should. TBIs range from a mild concussion to a severe injury, and may include a fractured skull.
Few people lose consciousness after a concussion, or mild TBI. By comparison, you can be out for six hours or longer after a severe TBI.
In addition to loss of consciousness, the signs and symptoms of a TBI include:
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Headache
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Vision changes
- Hearing changes
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Slurred speech
After a TBI, it’s also common to experience changes in mood, as well as emotional and behavioral problems. This could include problems such as anxiety, depression, anger, and sadness.
A skull fracture may also result in bruising around your eyes or behind your ear, or cause fluid to drain from your nose or ears.
Signs of an acquired brain injury
Acquired brain injuries occur when your brain is injured due to a lack of oxygen (stroke) or a condition that develops in your brain (tumor or aneurysm).
Exposure to toxins from chemicals, pesticides, fires, and other environmental hazards can also cause an acquired brain injury. The signs of acquired brain injuries are the same as those for TBIs.
Muscle symptoms caused by neurological injuries
Whether you have a TBI or another type of neurological injury, the nerve pathways that control muscle movement, tone, and strength can be disrupted. As a result, you may experience symptoms like:
- Spasticity
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle loss
- Muscle spasms
- Awkward movement
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty breathing
In some cases, you may become paralyzed, a symptom that’s usually the result of a spine injury.
Chronic symptoms after a neurological injury
Though you expect to have a headache after a TBI, headaches can last for months and become a chronic problem. You may experience migraines, but ongoing tension headaches are more common.
Tension headaches often develop due to lingering neck injuries that occurred during your injury. Physical therapy can target the underlying neck injury, promote healing, and help eliminate tension headaches.
Rehabilitation following a neurological injury
Physical therapy is essential for rehabilitating from a neurological injury. You may need to strengthen muscles, regain function and balance, or retrain your brain to control your muscles.
Our team has extensive experience in techniques that help you with all the challenges of a neurological injury.
To learn more about how we can help you overcome the signs and symptoms of a neurological injury, call our office in Mildford, Connecticut, or book an appointment online today.