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Can a Brain Fully Recover From a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious injury, but there are many misconceptions that surround it. Many people who experience a TBI believe they’ll feel the effects of the injury for life. While this is true in some severe cases, most TBI patients can recover from their injury over time. Luckily, the chances of making a full recovery from a TBI are high. Here’s what you need to know about TBI rehabilitation, and how you can improve your chance for a full recovery after suffering this injury.

Is Full Recovery After a TBI Possible?

If you or a loved one are suffering from a TBI, you’re likely wondering if a full recovery is possible. Before explaining how you can maximize your chance of a full recovery, it’s important to dispel a common myth surrounding this injury.

In the past, rehab specialists claimed that recovery from a TBI peaked two years after the injury. Today’s research shows that recovery can continue long after the two-year mark, with improvements occurring even at the 10-year mark for some patients. 

A full recovery from TBI is almost always possible—but it often requires years of dedication, patience, and effort. By taking the right steps to heal from this injury, and being proactive in your rehab, your recovery will be much more successful. 

Recovering From TBI

There are concrete actions you can take to improve your chance of a full recovery from TBI. Take initiative and follow these steps:

  • Engage Neuroplasticity. The best way to speed recovery from a TBI is by activating neuroplasticity, the mechanism your brain uses to form new neural pathways and rewire nerve cells. A physical therapy program that emphasizes repetitive actions can activate neuroplasticity and help a TBI patient regain abilities. From rebuilding physical strength and coordination to improving flexibility, physical therapy is critical to your recovery.
  • Improve Cognitive Health. Aside from physical therapy, it’s important to seek cognitive therapy to improve the health of your brain after a TBI. Psychological care and cognitive training exercises can improve your mental health and your memory skills. 
  • Avoid Maladaptive Plasticity. Maladaptive plasticity refers to the practice of consistently repeating an action the wrong way. For example, if you can’t use your right hand to pick up a pen, you’ll use your left instead. After a TBI, your brain can “forget” how to use your right hand, leading to a condition called learned non-use. Your rehab therapists will help you follow restorative techniques, teaching you how to regain lost function, rather than merely adapting.

You Can Fully Recover From TBI

With the consistent engagement of neuroplasticity, a patient can fully recover from a TBI over time. If you or a loved one have experienced a TBI, following a comprehensive treatment plan gives you the best chance of recovery. The TBI experts at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg standing by to help. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free evaluation and begin your journey to a full recovery.