Brain injuries can have a number of profound and long-lasting effects on an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. As the Burien brain injury lawyers at Brumley Law Firm describe, the road to recovery often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining a range of different therapies in order to combat the adverse effects that a brain injury can have on an individual’s life. In this article, we will explore five essential types of therapy that are commonly used to rehabilitate individuals who have suffered a brain injury.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is one of the most common types of therapies used by brain injury survivors, as the part of their brain that controls motor coordination and function is often damaged. The primary goal of physical therapy is to help individuals regain their physical mobility and coordination through a combination of exercises that enhance muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. Going to physical therapy can help individuals who have suffered a brain injury establish the mind-body connections that are pivotal to our everyday movements.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is another type of rehabilitative therapy used by individuals who have suffered brain injuries, particularly for those who have suffered more severe types of brain injuries. Unlike physical therapy which focuses on an individual’s overall physical function, occupational therapy is more concerned with honing the skills that are necessary to carry out one’s day-to-day life. Important skills that are taught in occupational therapy often include getting dressed, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. Patients will be taught adaptive techniques and provided with important tools that assist them in their ability to perform daily activities.
Speech Therapy
Sometimes, brain injuries can cause individuals to have difficulty speaking and communicating.
Speech therapists, known as speech-language pathologists, can equip brain injury victims with the necessary tools and exercises to help them improve their ability to communicate. Individuals may learn to use various augmentative and alternative communication (ACC) methods such as speech-generative devices, facial features, gestures, drawing, and pointing. Additionally, speech-language pathologists may work on improving articulation, pronunciation, memory, and cognitive communication skills.
Vision Therapy
Another type of rehabilitation that brain injury victims may seek is vision therapy. This type of therapy is designed to address any visual impairments that may have resulted from the brain injury. Patients will be challenged to practice a variety of exercises that seek to improve their eye coordination, depth perception, visual processing skills, focus, accommodation, and peripheral vision. Partaking in vision therapy can also help reduce symptoms such as double vision, eye strain, and headaches, which can greatly inhibit one’s ability to live.
Psychotherapy
A final type of therapy that may be used by those who have suffered brain injuries is psychotherapy. This type of therapy addresses the emotional and psychological challenges that are often associated with a brain injury, such as anxiety and depression. Many different types of psychotherapy may be implemented, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps to identify and change thought and behavior patterns. Psychotherapists will equip brain injury victims with effective coping strategies and may also prescribe medication, if necessary, to manage symptoms.
