What Should I Expect During Rehab for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Many of our clients and our client’s families wonder what kinds of treatment are available for Traumatic Brain Injuries. The road to recovery can be a long one. For our clients, we want our clients to receive the best care and treatment possible. The good news is that Chicago is home to some of the best Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centers on the planet.

The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in Chicago is the #1 ranked physical medicine and rehabilitation center in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. For those who live in the suburbs, Northwestern Medicine’s Marianjoy Hospital has a fantastic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program in Wheaton, Illinois. (The above list is provided for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement).

What happens at Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation?

TBIs can affect our physical conditions, including our balance, gait, and motor coordination and also our cognitive skills, such as memory, communication, and mood. Depending on the injury, a patient may be required to undergo a regimen of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for up to four hours per day, five days per week.

Physical Therapy

A brain injury can have devastating effects on our overall strength and use of our extremities. Physical therapy aims to address those deficits with exercises to help with transfers, such as from the seated position to the standing position, ambulation, and stair climbing. The hope is that the patient will increase his or her strength, endurance, mobility and flexibility as the program continues and slowly eliminate the need for any assistance from the therapists during those tasks.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy addresses specific tasks like grooming, feeding, dressing, and toileting. These tasks are sometimes referred to as activities of daily living. Sometimes, depending on the patient’s job, therapies can include work-related tasks. The goal of occupational therapy is to have the patient regain as much of their independence as they can so that they can return home with the skills necessary to take care of themselves.

Speech Therapy

Brain injuries can have an impact on our abilities to comprehend and communicate as well as our cognitive skills. In speech therapy programs, the focus is on improving a patient’s comprehension, expression, social interaction, problem-solving, memory, speech, and sometimes, chewing and swallowing if necessary.

All of the above therapies make up a brain injury rehabilitation program. The goal is to prepare the patient to return home with an increased ability for self-care in the “real world.” While a brain injury can leave a patient with permanent physical and cognitive deficits, his or her best chance at recovery is full participation in a comprehensive brain injury rehabilitation progress.

Contact Us for a Free Traumatic Brain Injury Case Review

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of others, it is important to consult with an experienced attorney who understands the symptoms associated with TBIs and their effects on the injured party and their family. Contact us today for a free case review (312) 578-9501 or fill out our contact form here.