Mar
20

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

By: admin Published: March 20, 2012

Katie Pierce, PT, DPT

 

How “Aware” are You about Brain Injury?

Perhaps you have been following recent national news on the impact of concussions on athletes.  Perhaps you too are troubled by the staggering number of service members and veterans affected by blast injury.   Maybe you have a loved one affected by Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Aneurism, or Stroke.  Perhaps you are one of the 3.5 million Americans living with a disability from acquired brain injury.

 

March is the month: Help Raise Awareness of Brain Injury.

Awareness and education lead to injury prevention, as well as improved outcomes for those living with the effects of brain injury.

 

Some Brain Injury Facts*:

  • Every 23 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a brain injury.
  • More than 45,000 people in Arizona are currently living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
  • Falls are the most common cause of TBI. Motor vehicle accidents are second.
  • Higher-risk groups: children birth to four, seniors, youth ages 15-19, military personnel, and Native Americans.
  • The Invisible Injury:  Disabilities from brain injury are often not noticeable to the eye. Additionally, mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI, concussion) does not show up on medical imaging, such as MRI scans.  Because of this, individuals may have their lives changed by brain injury, yet go undiagnosed for years.

 

*Source:  Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona: www.biaaz.org

 Recovery After Brain Injury: Physical Therapy is Key!

Physical symptoms after brain injury may include:

  • Balance and walking challenges
  • Loss of strength and mobility; partial paralysis
  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Difficulty with fine motor tasks and coordination, especially when tired, stressed, or trying to multi-task

 

A physical therapist skilled in neurological and vestibular rehabilitation can develop a plan of care to address these symptoms and help the person regain maximal functioning and quality of life.

 

If you or a loved one struggle with symptoms after Brain Injury, call the expert physical therapists at CoreBalance Therapy for an evaluation:

(928) 556-9935; or email [email protected].

Post updated 03/01/2020

Posted in Brain Injury | Tagged Tags: , , , , , , , | No Comments

Jan
11

Recognizing Signs of a Stroke

By: admin Published: January 11, 2012

by Katie Pierce, PT, DPT

Stroke occurs when a blood vessel breaks in the brain or a blood clot blocks an artery, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain.  When this happens, brain cells begin to die and brain damage occurs.

Stroke is a medical emergency, in which every second counts.  The sooner a person can get medical care, the sooner life-saving medications or other measures can be administered.  Each year in the United States, about 750,000 people sustain a stroke.  Would you know how to recognize the warning signs of stroke in yourself or a loved one if it occurred?

Warning Signs: Think “S.T.R.O.K.E.”

S = Speech, or any problems with language.

T = Tingling or numbness.  Tongue is off-center when stuck out

R = Remember: any problems with memory

O = Off balance, problems with coordination

K = Killer headache

E = Eyes, or any problem with vision.

Stroke is an emergency. Call 9-1-1

After Stroke: How can Physical Therapy Help?

A Physical Therapist can help treat a variety of impairments that may have arisen from a stroke:

  • Decreased strength and endurance
  • Increased muscle tone, or spasticity
  • Balance and coordination challenges
  • Dizziness
  • Walking and mobility difficulties

Your Physical Therapist will perform a thorough evaluation and, with your input, design an appropriate plan of care to help you regain maximal function and quality of life. If you or someone you know has suffered a stroke, call the Physical Therapists at CoreBalance Therapy, LLC.: (928) 556-9935.

Posted in Stroke | Tagged Tags: , , | No Comments

Return to Top of Page

MENU