Concussion Vs. TBI Treatment – Compared

Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (also called TBIs) are common head injuries that people suffer from after a car accident. Although they sound different, a concussion is a TBI.

Confused? Don’t be! Our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center discusses concussions and TBIs, and how we treat these conditions.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when something pierces the skull and damages brain tissue, or when the head hits something very hard. Ultimately, a TBI is characterized by any injury that causes damage to the brain.

Symptoms of mild traumatic brain injuries include:

Headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Speech problems
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Ringing in ears
Sensitivity to light or sound
Memory or concentration issues
Mood changes
Depression or anxiousness
Sleep problems

Symptoms of moderate or severe TBIs include:

Loss of consciousness
Persistent headache
Excessive vomiting or nausea
Seizures
Pupil dilation
Weakness or numbness in extremities
Loss of coordination
Slurred speech
Coma

Treatment for TBIs

The modalities that are used in treating a TBI depend on the severity of the injury, but it’s important to note that a traumatic brain injury of any kind is an emergency.

Generally, if you have a mild TBI, treatment consists mainly of rest, which will allow the brain to heal.

If you have a moderate or severe injury, the first step is to stabilize the injury this can involve:

Getting more oxygen to your brain
Maintain proper blood flow
Managing blood pressure

These will help prevent further brain damage. You may need surgery depending on the severity of the injury.

Many people who have suffered a moderate or severe TBI will need rehabilitation and physical therapy. The type of rehab needed depends on several factors such as the severity of the injury, and the part of the brain that was injured.

You may need speech therapy if the injury damages the part of the brain that controls speech. Or you may need physical therapy if you are having trouble walking or using your arms due to damage to the area of the brain that controls movement.

Ultimately, the treatment that is needed for a more severe TBI will be undertaken by many medical professionals, all working together to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion, as stated above, is a type of TBI and is common in accidents and contact sports. It often occurs due to a rapid back-and-forth movement that stretches or damages brain tissue. Although they are usually not life-threatening, they can interfere with normal brain function.

Symptoms of a concussion include:

Headache
Neck pain
Nausea
Ringing in the ears
Dizziness
Fatigue

Treatment for Concussions

Our physical therapists at Impact Medical Sun City Center can treat many of the symptoms that are related to concussions. First, our team will examine your neurological system to ascertain what treatment would work best for you.

Treatment may include:

#1. Rest

You will need to limit any kind of activity including work, exercise, recreation, etc. when you are recovering from a concussion. This rest will boost your body’s healing mechanisms and help clear up concussion symptoms as quickly as possible.

#2. Therapeutic Exercise

While rest is crucial for recovering from a concussion, this can also result in muscle weakness and decreased endurance. We will work with you to design a therapeutic exercise program that will help strengthen your muscles and improve balance.

#3. Headache Reduction

Treatment for headaches due to concussions may include stretching, eye exercises, hands-on manual therapy, electrical stimulation, and chiropractic care.

We often like to recommend chiropractic care because when the spine is out of alignment, it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves and cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. The same kind of symptoms that are caused by concussion.

Manipulating the spine back into alignment can help relieve the symptoms of concussion.

Visit Impact Medical Sun City Center

If you are a loved one who has a concussion or TBI following an accident, don’t hesitate to contact our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center.

With a state-of-the-art facility, we are equipped to treat accident injuries and help those with brain injuries or concussions move forward after an accident with compassionate physical therapy, pain management, and chiropractic care.

Schedule an appointment at (813) 938-5195 today.