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Physical Therapy After Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted by:

Johannes Sauer

Updated at: March 13, 2025

Table of Contents

  1. What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

  2. Symptoms of TBI

    1. Physical Symptoms

    2. Cognitive Symptoms

    3. Emotional Symptoms

  3. Diagnosing TBI

  4. How Does a Physical Therapist Help?

  5. What Brain Injury Impairments are Treated Through PT

  6. What Happens After Rehab from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

If you take a blow to the head, you may experience an injury to your brain. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, and a long path for recovery. This post will explain the role of physical therapy in healing from a traumatic brain injury.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain that results from a blow to the head. The object that strikes the head may or may not penetrate the skull. A TBI can be mild, moderate or severe. Some TBIs resolve quickly and thoroughly. Others produce long-term symptoms.

Symptoms of TBI

The symptoms of a TBI can vary, as each injury is individual. But they may include physical, cognitive, and/or emotional symptoms. Below, we go over some common symptoms. Which of these symptoms you have will depend on the nature and severity of your TBI.


Physical Symptoms

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Vision problems
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of balance
  • Noise or light sensitivity
  • Weakness
  • Coordination problems
  • Sensory changes
  • Hearing issues
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Coma

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Confusion
  • Memory loss (short-term)
  • Concentration issues
  • Brain fog
  • A feeling of “slowness”

Emotional Symptoms

  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Sadness
  • Aggression
  • Anger
  • Impulsiveness
  • Challenges with behavioral management

Diagnosing TBI

Mar 13, 2025

To find out if you have a TBI, your doctor will perform a neurological evaluation. You  might also be asked to take blood tests, as well as imaging tests such as an MRI or a CT scan.

How Does a Physical Therapist Help?

A physical therapist can assign exercises that help a patient to retrain their body and brain to produce natural, ergonomic, safe movements.

Some examples could include stretching, low-impact activities like walking or swimming, simple exercises to increase strength, balance, coordination and flexibility, and training in using assistive devices.

What Brain Injury Impairments are Treated Through PT

Here are some examples of brain injury physical impairments that PT can help treat:

  • Dizziness
  • Lost balance
  • Muscle weakness
  • Spasticity
  • Gait 

What Happens After Rehab from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Some people might return to more normal activities after PT, while others may require more assistance. In some cases, the symptoms of a TBI may persist for a lifetime. So, some people may require assistance for many years.

If you are having a difficult time with your gait, you will discover that the process of learning how to walk after a brain injury is similar in some respects to learning to walk after a stroke or other neurological condition.

One thing that can help is to wear shoes that are designed to facilitate easier, safer walking, such as the Cadense Original Adaptive Shoes.

These shoes include patented variable friction technology that lets you walk across uneven surfaces with greater ease. Even if your TBI is making it difficult for you to completely lift your feet when you walk, you will be able to “glide” forward, with tripping and falling less likely.

Your physical therapist will give you recommendations for how frequently and long to walk, and what other measures you can take to ensure your safety. As you practice walking, you will be able to gradually recover a natural gait.

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FAQ

What you shouldn’t do with a TBI?

You need to give yourself some rest after experiencing a TBI. That means that you should avoid activities that are particularly demanding, physically and/or mentally.

What is the best therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury?

That depends. Rest and NSAIDs are often sufficient for mild TBI. For moderate to severe TBI, other medications or surgery may be required. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and/or psychological therapy, depending on the location of the injury and your symptoms.

What is the gait of someone with a TBI?

A person with TBI may walk more slowly than someone without a TBI. There could also be differences in stance time, cadence, step length, width of support base, and/or double support phase. The knee may flex more than it should when the foot makes contact.

What is posturing with a TBI?

This is a reflexive, unusual posture that a person may hold with a TBI. The two main varieties are decorticate posturing and decerebrate posturing.

Posted by: Johannes Sauer

Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. Johannes is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cadense and passionate about helping people with walking difficulties. He was immediately drawn to the mission of the company because his cousin lost his lower leg in a tragic motorcycle accident a few years ago and is experiencing walking difficulties ever since. Johannes brings over a decade of experience in working for consumer product companies to Cadense. He holds an MBA from the University of Graz in Austria. Johannes lives with his family in Santa Barbara, CA.

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