March is Traumatic Brain Injury Month

Did you know that according to The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), falls are a leading cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)?¹  Falls also account for the largest number of Traumatic Brain Injury related visits to the emergency room and increased hospitalizations.²  Physical therapists can help in limiting the impact of injuries dues to falls.

Another Traumatic Brain Injury is a concussion which can damage brain tissue along with producing an chemical imbalance of the brain.³ The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that over 2 million concussions occurred in the United States in 2010 (latest year for CDC statistics).¹

A Concussion is a TBI that can occur from a variety of causes at any age:³

• Whiplash from a car accident
• An accident at the workplace; falling or experiencing any type of head trauma
• Being on the receiving end of a blow to the head
• Falling off a swing on a playground
• Sports related injury
• Physical abuse

A TBI can have a range of short/long-term issues that affect:¹

• Cognitive Function (memory/attention)
• Motor function (impaired coordination/balance)
• Emotion (anxiety, impulse control, aggression)
• Sensation (vision, hearing, impaired perception)

With regards to falls and concussions, it is very important to seek out medical help!

Physical Therapists can evaluate symptoms and most often diagnose if a concussion is present. Physical Therapists can determine the best safe recovery program; regain strength and endurance; reduce or stop dizziness and balance problems; reduce or eliminate headaches; and help individuals return back to their regular activities and sports.

At Live Your Life^TM we encourage you to Live your Life CONCUSSION FREE and we are here to help you with effective interventions to prevent injuries.

Dr. Eva Norman
President & Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Life^TM

¹Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion http://www.cdc.gov/TraumaticBrainInjury/severe.html Accessed to March 3, 2016

²Get the Stats on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/BlueBook_factsheet-a.pdf Accessed to March 3, 2016

³Physical Therapist’s Guide to Concussion http://www.moveforwardpt.com/symptomsconditionsdetail.aspx?cid=4f2ebb00-f1c0-4691-b2ab-742df8dffb99 Accessed on March 3, 2016