Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussions, cause damage to the brain and can have serious effects on an individual. Recovery time varies depending upon the severity of the injury. For some, it can take months or longer to recover fully. Unfortunately, some people never return to their previous level of functioning after a TBI.

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Causes of Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Any blow to the head or severe shaking of the head can cause a concussion or TBI

Sports injuries

Some sports are well known to cause concussions, usually contact sports like football, soccer, or wrestling.

Falling

The higher the height, the more serious the brain injury can be. However, even falls from a lower level, like rolling off a bed, can result in a TBI.

Automobile and bicycle accidents

Brain injuries can be caused by impact to the head or the sudden jolt of a collision.

Violence and combat

Being near an explosion can cause a TBI, as can penetrating wounds from shrapnel or bullets. Also, domestic violence, including shaken baby syndrome, are common causes.

Many People Who Have Had A Concussion Or Traumatic Brain Injury Will Experience Changes In Their Cognitive Functioning, Executive Functioning, And Communication. It may be more difficult to focus and take longer to process thoughts. These problems can cause frustration, conflict and misunderstanding for people with a concussion or traumatic brain injury, as well as family members. It is also common to see changes in behavior, emotions, and senses.

Cognitive problems

Memory, learning, reasoning, judgement, and attention or concentration.

Executive functioning problems

Problem solving, multi-tasking, organization, planning, decision making, and beginning or completing tasks.

Communication problems

Difficulty understanding speech or writing, difficulty speaking or writing, inability to organize thoughts and ideas, and trouble following conversations.

Behavioral changes

Difficulty with self-control, lack of awareness of abilities, risky behavior, difficulty in social situations, and verbal or physical outbursts.

Emotional changes

Depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, lack of empathy for others, anger, and insomnia.

Sensory changes

Ringing in the ears, difficulty recognizing objects, impaired eye-hand coordination, blind spots or double vision, trouble with balance or dizziness, and skin tingling, pain, or itching.

NEUROFEEDBACK FOR CONCUSSIONS AND TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

Emerald Coast Neurofeedback provides a comprehensive evaluation that helps determine the best protocol to retrain your brain after injury. During neurofeedback sessions your brain will be provided thousands of opportunities to learn. This repetition helps create changes in your brain’s behavior. Neurofeedback gives the brain the opportunity to learn to return its brainwaves back to normal, relieving the brain of unpleasant symptoms following a concussion, such as headaches and memory loss.

An example of neurofeedback retraining the brain after a traumatic brain injury happened with a man who had suffered a severe head injury 6 years prior to him starting neurofeedback on the same system used at Emerald Coast Neurofeedback. He couldn’t swallow, was tube fed, and couldn’t walk or talk. After completing 3 neurofeedback sessions, his ability to swallow came back and the tube was removed from his stomach. After 12 sessions, he began walking unassisted and could talk again.

A concern with repeated concussions or brain injuries is what can occur in the future. Research is being done on the relationship between degenerative brain diseases and traumatic brain injuries. Some research suggests there could be a link to an increase in the risk of degenerative brain diseases, as in the case with boxers and dementia pugilistica.

Degenerative Brain Diseases

Alzheimer’s disease

Causes the progressive loss of memory and other thinking skills.

Parkinson’s disease

A progressive condition that causes movement problems, tremors, rigidity, and slow movements.

Dementia pugilistica

Most often associated with repetitive blows to the head in career boxing and causes symptoms of dementia and movement problems.

Additional resources for concussions and brain injuries

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

For more information on how Neurofeedback can help Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

CLICK HERE

Shannon Aplin

2022-11-05

I can't stress enough how much working with Margaret and Pamela has changed my life. I had been struggling with my mental health for years before coming across Emerald Coast Neurofeedback. I initially was simply looking for someone to help with my unmanaged OCD, depression, and relentless anxiety. My partner found Pamela on a whim, hoping to schedule therapy appointments. Even before being sure if she could fit me in soon, she talked through my history extensively on the phone with me and gave me information and resources on types of treatments as well as other practitioners that she recommended in case I decided to take another route. What changed everything was the recommendation that Neurofeedback may help what I was going through. I was nervous, did a lot of research, and ultimately decided that I should give it a try. Pamela was extremely kind and empathetic as we went through my initial intake assessment, even when I felt embarrassed answering questions and dealing with the emotional aspect of reliving certain traumas. I can't stress enough that I've had a few therapists over the years, and the process of finding someone empathetic while still professional is daunting. Pamela met every expectation and beyond. I've never worked with a kinder and more effective set of mental health professionals than Pamela and Margaret. Margaret set everything up, monitored my sessions twice a week and did everything and more to make sure I was comfortable and felt safe and heard. She is a wonderful person that truly believes in what she is doing, and it shows. I went through roughly 20 sessions of Neurofeedback. At the start, I was struggling with nightmares, health anxiety, and even leaving my home. Three months later, I had gained the confidence in myself and my mental heath to accept a job in another country and uproot my life to follow my ambitions. The transition throughout my sessions was so immense and yet so gradual and subtle. After just a handful of sessions, I started to realize that my dreams were less intense and stressful. About halfway through, I noticed that one of my biggest issues involving my health anxiety simply didn't bother me anymore. I am a worrier by nature -- sensitive to medications and anything involving my mind or body. I went into this terrified that it might affect me in ways that I wouldn't be ready for. But instead, I simply went in twice a week, and trusted the process to help maneuver the way my mind was reacting to certain stimuli. And to put it as simply as possible, it worked. I could not be more grateful to have found such a wonderful team, so dedicated to helping others. I specifically want to say that Neurofeedback as a whole is wildly underutilized and should be considered as a form of treatment for a range of issues If you take anything from this massively long review, it should be that this is worth a shot and that you will be in such good hands with this team. Thank you both so much for everything!