Author: Suzanne Click

March marks Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about brain injuries, their impacts, and the crucial role recovery plays in improving the lives of those affected. Concussions, one of the most common types of brain injury, often have long-lasting effects, especially when it comes to balance and coordination.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the common balance concerns after a concussion and why understanding and addressing them is so important. Whether you’re recovering from a concussion yourself or supporting someone through the process, knowing what to expect and how to manage balance issues can help make recovery more manageable.

What is a Concussion and How Does it Affect Balance?

A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically caused by a blow to the head or body that shakes the brain inside the skull. Though often considered a “mild” injury, concussions can lead to significant disruptions in brain function and have a variety of physical, cognitive, and emotional effects.

One of the most challenging and common symptoms following a concussion is difficulty with balance. The brain’s ability to maintain physical stability involves a complex system that includes the inner ear (vestibular system), the visual system, and sensory inputs from muscles and joints. A concussion can disrupt this system, causing issues such as:

• Dizziness and Vertigo: These feelings can occur when the brain struggles to process signals from the inner ear and other balance-related systems.
• Impaired Coordination: Tasks requiring fine motor skills or maintaining physical equilibrium, such as walking or standing, may become more difficult.
• Sensitivity to Movement: Even slight head movements or changes in position can cause symptoms to worsen, leaving individuals feeling off-balance or disoriented.

Why Balance Concerns Matter

Balance issues after a concussion are not just an inconvenience – they can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Simple activities like walking, driving, or exercising become more dangerous when balance is compromised. These difficulties can also contribute to anxiety or a sense of vulnerability, leading to a cycle where individuals avoid physical activity, which, in turn, can delay recovery.

Furthermore, improper or inadequate treatment of balance concerns can lead to persistent symptoms, a condition known as post-concussion syndrome. It’s essential to recognize these symptoms early and seek appropriate care to avoid long-term difficulties.

How to Manage Balance Issues After a Concussion

While the effects of a concussion can be challenging, there are several strategies for managing balance issues during recovery:

1. Rest and Recovery: The brain needs time to heal, so it’s vital to avoid activities that strain the brain and exacerbate symptoms, such as sports or strenuous physical activity. Rest is key to allowing the brain to recover and regain its normal function.
2. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT): This specialized form of physical therapy helps individuals regain balance and coordination after a concussion. VRT includes exercises designed to retrain the brain and improve its ability to process signals from the balance systems. A trained therapist will tailor a program to meet individual needs, gradually increasing the intensity as symptoms improve.
3. Gradual Return to Activity: Once balance issues begin to improve, a step-by-step approach to reintroducing physical activity is critical. Engaging in low-impact activities like walking or light stretching, and slowly progressing to more intense exercises, can help rebuild physical strength and confidence.
4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Balance disturbances can lead to feelings of anxiety, which may make symptoms worse. Practicing mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation exercises can help manage stress and reduce the emotional impact of recovery.
5. Seek Support from Healthcare Professionals: If balance problems persist or worsen, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider. A concussion specialist, neurologist, or physical therapist can offer more personalized treatment options to address ongoing balance concerns.

Brain Injury Awareness Month: A Time for Advocacy

As we observe Brain Injury Awareness Month this March, it’s a perfect time to educate ourselves and others about the impact of concussions and other brain injuries on balance and overall health. Raising awareness about the importance of proper care and rehabilitation helps reduce stigma, encourages individuals to seek help when necessary, and ensures that recovery efforts are taken seriously.

For anyone recovering from a concussion, remember that balance issues are common and treatable. With the right guidance and support, it’s possible to regain balance, confidence, and a return to daily life.

Conclusion

Balance issues after a concussion are often one of the most challenging and misunderstood aspects of recovery. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with post-concussion balance problems, it’s important to recognize these symptoms and seek the necessary treatment and support. Brain Injury Awareness Month serves as a reminder that concussion recovery requires patience, care, and proper guidance from healthcare professionals. Through education and awareness, we can ensure that individuals living with brain injuries get the care they need to live fulfilling lives.

Remember, balance is key—both physically and mentally—in the recovery journey.

FMI about Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy contact our Adult Therapy Department at 325-223-6304 in San Angelo or 325-793-3400 in Abilene. 

Aquatic therapy is a form of physical therapy that takes place in a pool or other water environment. It is often used in conjunction with land-based therapies for the treatment, management, and recovery of various conditions. Water’s buoyant, soothing properties offer less resistance, making it ideal for patients with pain and difficulty performing certain exercises.

What Is Aquatic Therapy?

Aquatic therapy is more than swimming laps in the pool. It is a safe and effective form of physical therapy utilizing evidence-based techniques to help patients move and feel better.

As with any physical therapy plan, aquatic therapy takes place under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist and follows a custom treatment plan based on the patient’s physical abilities and goals.

Aquatic physical therapy is recommended instead of or in conjunction with traditional physical therapy for patients whose symptoms and abilities necessitate a gentle, supportive exercise environment.

Aquatic therapy:

Lowers Fall Risk
Some patients who have issues with balance and stability may not be good candidates for land-based physical therapy.

Helps With Balance and Coordination
Aquatic therapy helps patients improve coordination and balance to reduce their risk of falls outside of the pool. Water slows down movement and stops falls, giving patients time to regain their posture if they get off balance.

Reduces Stress on Joints and Bones
Water reduces nearly 90% of body weight, when the patient is immersed to the neck. That buoyancy reduces the load on weight-bearing muscles, bones, and joints. This is ideal for anyone with a musculoskeletal condition or injury that would make landing on a hard surface unsafe or painful.

Builds Muscle Strength and Endurance
Because water is denser than air, it takes more effort to perform the same exercise in water than on land. This allows patients to increase muscle strength as they push against the water in a low-impact environment that will not stress vulnerable bones and tissues.

Increases Aerobic Capacity
Exercise increases aerobic capacity and breathing which is good for overall health. Aerobic exercise can reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and help to maintain a healthy blood pressure. This is good for patients who need aerobic activity but have pain and mobility issues that make land-based exercise challenging.

Improves Joint Flexibility
Water is conducive for greater range of motion in otherwise stiff joints. Warm water relaxes muscles which offloads tension from joints, allowing them to move more comfortably. Movement is medicine for individuals with arthritis and other joint conditions, making aquatic therapy a viable option for safe and gentle exercise.

Reduces Swelling
Hydrostatic pressure is pressure exerted by any type of fluid in a confined space. During aquatic physical therapy, water exerts hydrostatic pressure on the body. That pressure increases circulation and reduces swelling which in turn reduces joint stiffness and increases mobility.