
Six Ways Chiropractic Care Supports Healing After TBI

When people think of chiropractic care, they think of spinal alignment and fascia release. What they don't consider is traumatic brain injury care. However, chiropractic care is essential in TBI treatment for many reasons.
Dr. Jason Ablett offers TBI care for auto accidents or other injuries at Pinnacle Health Chiropractic in Kirkland, Washington. He provides treatments, including rehabilitative exercises and soft tissue therapy, to restore function and blood flow to the injured area.
What is a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is any head injury from an external force that changes cognition, physical abilities, or emotional responses. In most cases, TBIs come from a traumatic blow to the head or penetrating trauma.
People sustain TBIs from auto accidents, falls, and even sports injuries. What may seem like a small bump to the head could sometimes result in lasting effects.
During a TBI, the brain moves violently inside the skull, causing bruising or bleeding within it. The result is various symptoms depending on the severity, which include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Confusion
TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe and result in varying levels of body dysfunction. These injuries often impact brain functioning, particularly in areas such as memory, coordination, thinking, and emotional regulation.
Recovering from a TBI often includes a multidisciplinary approach by various health professionals, including chiropractors. Chiropractic care is one of the essential ways to manage a TBI.
Chiropractic care and TBI healing
As part of your treatment program, a specialist may suggest chiropractic care during TBI recovery. It's a complementary treatment that helps alleviate symptoms such as neck pain, dizziness, and chronic headaches.
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring nerve function and spinal alignment, which also aids in improving circulation and promoting recovery. Some of the other ways chiropractic care aids in TBI recovery include:
1. Restoring cerebrospinal flow
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protects and nourishes the brain, but its function changes after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Manual chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue therapy aid in restoring CSF flow throughout the brain. The result is improved CSF flow, which is essential for brain health and recovery.
2. Improving neck alignment
Most people who suffer a TBI also have chronic neck pain from whiplash or another injury. Spinal subluxations or misalignments may interfere with nerve signals to the brain, making recovery nearly impossible.
Chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation all play a role in TBI recovery. Proper spinal alignment takes the pressure off specific nerves that interfere with brain recovery.
3. Balancing the nervous system
The nervous system is essential to the healing process, but it can suffer damage after a TBI. Chiropractic care alleviates pressure on the nerves, allowing signals critical to the brain's healing process to reach.
4. Addressing musculoskeletal issues
Most people who suffer a TBI also have soft tissue or musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries require the same care and treatment as the TBI to heal completely. Dr. Ablett employs various techniques to address musculoskeletal injuries, aiming to improve overall function.
5. Holistic care
Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to TBI recovery. Dr. Ablett doesn't just address the physical problem – he also utilizes lifestyle factors like sleep, stress management, and nutrition to help you fully heal from a TBI.
Lifestyle factors play a significant role in brain health, although many specialists don't address these issues. Dr. Ablett offers information and tips to enhance sleep and reduce stress, creating an optimal healing environment.
6. Improving circulation
The brain requires adequate blood flow to heal properly. One significant benefit of chiropractic adjustments is improved blood flow throughout the body, including to the brain.
Improved circulation helps the brain heal appropriately after a TBI. It not only enhances tissue healing but also regulates cognition and mental clarity.
To learn more about our treatment options for a TBI, call our office in Kirkland, Washington, today or request a consultation with Dr. Ablett on our website.
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