Traumatic Brain Injury: Choosing Drugs Vs. Activity-Based Therapy Centers for Recovery

When a traumatic brain injury occurs, the length of time recovery takes will depend on the extent of the injury and damage. Another factor will include the recovery methods you choose to employ. Today, we will compare two ways to recover from a traumatic brain injury. First, we will discuss the types of medications that a doctor may prescribe in the aftermath of such an traumatic brain injury. Then we will take a look at what activity-based therapy centers can do for patients. 

Medication-Based Therapy Following a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Here are six categories of drugs that commonly get prescribed to help a person who is recovering from a TBI. While this is not a definitive list of medication for TBI recovery, it provides a general idea of the goal of drug-based therapies. 

• Anti-anxiety – A person may experience fear or nervousness following a traumatic brain injury. This may be due to PTSD or due to the part of the brain that sustained damage in the injury.
• Anticoagulants – If the injury has affected blood flow to the brain, you need to ensure there are no clots. An anticoagulant helps to prevent stroke.
• Anticonvulsants – Following a head injury, a person may begin to experience seizures. Anticonvulsants preemptively act to prevent seizures from occurring. 
• Antidepressants – A person may become depressed in the wake of a TBI. This can occur because of damage to the brain, but it is often due to new limitations a person faces as a result of the traumatic brain injury.
• Muscle relaxants – Depending on the location and extent of the damage, you may experience muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants help to reduce the frequency and severity of these spasms. 
• Stimulants – Brain injuries can also affect how alert a person is or your ability to remain focused. Stimulants improve attention and alertness 

As you can see, the purpose of medication is to combat symptoms that result from the TBI or to prevent further damage. While these are important goals, you also want to try and undo as much of the damage as possible. This is especially the case if the brain injury has led to some degree of paralysis or paresis, and you want to try to maximize the amount of independence you will regain. That is why you want to add another form of care by going to an activity-based therapy center.  

What Happens at an Activity-Based Therapy Center?

There are many types of therapy that can be beneficial after a TBI, depending on the extent of the damage. For example, you may need the assistance of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and so on. At an activity-based therapy center, you can receive the support you need in order to maximize the restoration of your physical abilities. You can also get the exercise that you need to maintain healthy heart and lung function. 

Activity-based therapy involves moderate to intense activity, several times per week. What are the goals of this type of therapy?

• Stimulate the nervous system – This activity may help provide restoration of nerve function for some patients. Assistive exercise allows you to work the surrounding muscles. Functional electronic stimulation can also be of assistance. 
• Joint stabilization – Without proper movement, the joints grow stiff. Activity-based therapy helps keep the joints limber and allows the surrounding soft tissue to strengthen and stabilize. 
• Strength training – Building strength is crucial so that you can regain balance and get maximum function from muscles that you can still activate. 
• Balance and coordination – From sitting to standing, you need coordinated movements in order to restore proper balance and even hand-eye coordination.
• Gait training – Gait training can help you to restore a natural walking pattern. This may help you to regain independence and reduce fall risk. A gait training therapy like the Lokomat can help patients move in a natural walking pattern with the assistance of an exoskeleton and treadmill. 

These are just some of the benefits that researchers link to activity-based therapy. While most of this research focuses on spinal cord injuries, the same principles apply when a traumatic brain injury limits movement. 

TBI recovery can be a long journey. What can help you to stay motivated and up for the challenge? 

Challenging Yourself to Recover After a Traumatic Brain Injury 

The first hurdle you must overcome after a traumatic brain injury is accepting the new challenges that you will face in your day to day life. The sooner you accept your new normal and start taking control, the better your odds of maintaining maximum independence. 

One crucial aspect of your journey will be vetting nearby activity-based therapy centers to find the right match for you. In southern Florida, iAM ABLE wants to be your partner in helping you to reach your goals by means of both traditional and technological therapies. However, whether you live nearby or out of the area, one thing we provide for everyone combating a traumatic brain injury or other significant life change is our book: 7 Crucial Steeps Needed to Thrive after Paralysis. 

Whether your paralysis is temporary or permanent, this book will help you prepare for the challenges ahead. You need the right internal motivation to meet the challenges of a long journey of recovery. This book can help you to find that motivation within yourself. Let iAM ABLE help you to take control of your circumstances rather than allowing them to control you.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.