Understanding traumatic brain injury is crucial for recovery and support. Learn the symptoms and available treatment options.
Table of Contents
Introduction
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged by a violent blow or shock to the head. It has the power to alter one’s thoughts, behavior, and emotions. This page provides a straightforward explanation of TBI, including its origins, signs, and physiological impacts. Additionally, it demonstrates how nurse practitioners and chiropractors may collaborate to promote healing (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?
Damage to the brain caused by an external force is known as a traumatic brain injury. Even though the skull protects the brain, internal injuries may still occur from a severe blow. TBI may be severe enough to cause a prolonged coma or impairment, or it might be mild enough to resemble a concussion. Millions of individuals suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year as a result of sports, auto accidents, and falls (Mayo Clinic, 2023). Everything we do is controlled by the brain. When it is injured, issues may arise immediately or weeks later. According to the Cleveland Clinic (2023), early treatment is crucial.
Common Causes of TBI
TBI starts with a strong force to the head or body. Here are the main causes:
- Falls: The top reason, especially in kids and older adults. Slipping in the shower or falling off a ladder can cause TBI (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
- Car accidents: High-speed crashes shake the brain inside the skull.
- Sports injuries: Football, boxing, and soccer players often get concussions.
- Violence: Gunshots, assaults, or shaken baby syndrome.
- Blast waves: Soldiers in war face TBI from explosions (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Even a small bump can cause mild TBI if the brain moves rapidly within the skull (Hicks et al., 2020).
Symptoms of TBI
Symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. They can appear in the body, mind, or feelings.
Right-Away Signs
- Losing consciousness for seconds or minutes.
- Headache that will not stop.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Feeling dizzy or losing balance.
- Blurry vision or ringing in the ears (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Later Signs
- Trouble remembering new things.
- Slow thinking or reading.
- Hard time focusing.
- Feeling sad, angry, or worried.
- Sensitivity to light and noise.
- Sleep problems such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness (Cleveland Clinic, 2023; Silverberg et al., 2018).
A chiropractor or nurse practitioner can find hidden signs by asking detailed questions about the accident and daily life (Jimenez, n.d.-a).
How TBI Affects the Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, bones, and joints. TBI often hurts this system because the force hits the whole body.
- Neck pain and stiffness: Whiplash in car crashes strains neck muscles and spine.
- Back pain: The spine can shift out of place, causing long-term pain.
- Poor posture and balance: Brain signals to muscles get mixed up, making walking hard (Treleaven, 2017).
- Muscle weakness: One side of the body may feel weak after severe TBI.
Spinal misalignment can press on nerves and slow healing. Chiropractors check the spine with gentle tests to spot these issues (Jimenez, n.d.-b).
How TBI Affects the Neurological System
The neurological system is the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. TBI directly damages this network.
- Slow nerve signals: Thinking and moving feel delayed.
- Seizures: Electrical storms in the brain.
- Nerve pain: Tingling or burning in arms and legs.
- Coordination loss: Hands shake or feet trip (Ellis et al., 2017).
Questioning reveals whether light bothers the eyes or whether noise causes headaches—clues to nerve irritation (Silverberg et al., 2018).
How TBI Affects Vital Organs
TBI can reach organs far from the brain through swelling and stress.
- Heart: Blood pressure swings; heart rate becomes uneven.
- Lungs: Breathing problems if the brain stem is hurt.
- Gut: Nausea, poor digestion, or constipation from nerve disruption.
- Liver and kidneys: Medicines for pain can strain these organs if not watched (Khellaf et al., 2019).
A nurse practitioner orders blood tests to check organ health and adjust care (Jimenez, n.d.-c).
Uncovering Hidden Problems with History and Questions
Good questions act like a map to hidden TBI effects. A chiropractor or nurse practitioner asks:
- “When did the injury happen?”
- “Do bright lights hurt your eyes?”
- “Do you feel sick after reading?”
- “Any new pain in your neck or back?”
- “How is your sleep?”
These answers guide exams. Gentle spine checks show tight muscles. Balance tests reveal wobbly steps. The provider connects dots between the brain, spine, and organs (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Haider et al., 2018).
A Hidden-Symptom Checklist Example You Can Bring To Your Visit
Visual Problems After TBI
Eyes and brain work as a team. TBI breaks the link.
- – Double vision.
- – Trouble tracking moving objects.
- – Light sensitivity (photophobia).
- – Dry eyes or blurry sight (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).
Simple eye tests in the office spot these issues early (Green et al., 2010).
Nausea and Digestive Signs
Nausea is common right after TBI. It can last if the vagus nerve is upset. Patients may feel full too fast or have reflux. A detailed diet history helps the nurse practitioner suggest gentle foods (Blyth & Bazarian, 2010).
Neurological Issues: Slow Thinking and Reading
Mild TBI slows the brain’s processing speed. Reading a page takes longer. Word-finding feels hard. Memory for new facts slips. Cognitive tests measure the gap and track improvement (McInnes et al., 2017).
Sensitivity to Light and Noise
Photophobia and phonophobia mean that normal lights or sounds feel painful. This comes from overactive brain circuits. Dark glasses and quiet rooms help in the short term, while therapy calms the nerves in the long term (Silverberg et al., 2018).
Sleep Issues Like Insomnia
Sleep heals the brain. TBI breaks the sleep cycle.
- Hard to fall asleep.
- Waking often.
- Daytime fatigue.
Poor sleep slows recovery. A sleep diary guides the care plan (Wickwire et al., 2018).
Feeling Better Than Ever After a Semi-Truck Accident- Video
Why an Integrative Approach Works
Integrative care means a team effort. Chiropractic care fixes the body’s frame and nerves. Nurse practitioner care takes the whole health picture into account. Together, they speed healing and cut setbacks (Jimenez, n.d.-d; Gardner & Yaffe, 2015).
Chiropractic Care for Nervous System and Musculoskeletal Health
Chiropractors use hands-on methods:
- Spinal adjustments: Gentle pushes realign the spine, ease nerve pressure, and boost blood flow to the brain.
- Soft-tissue therapies: Massage relaxes tight neck and back muscles.
- Targeted exercises: Balance drills and core strength rebuild coordination (Navarro et al., 2018).
These steps improve brain signals and reduce pain without drugs (Coronado et al., 2015).
Nurse Practitioner’s Medical Oversight
The nurse practitioner:
- If necessary, order brain imaging.
- Controls drugs for pain, mood, or seizures.
- Checks blood work for hormone balance or inflammation.
- Provides dietary guidance for the brain (antioxidants, omega-3s).
- Observes emotional well-being and recommends therapy (Haag et al., 2019).
Building a Holistic Treatment Plan
A comprehensive strategy integrates lifestyle, mind, and body.
- Weeks 1–2: Rest, mild neck massages, and nausea management.
- Weeks three and six: Include modest cardiovascular activity, soft-tissue work, and a regular sleep schedule.
- Months two and three: stress management, cognitive problems, and balance training.
- Continuous: Home workouts, dietary adjustments, and monthly examinations.
In a straightforward journal, patients record their symptoms. Every two weeks, the team evaluates its progress (Jimenez, n.d.-e; Cnossen et al., 2017).
Real-Life Observations from Dr. Alexander Jimenez
In El Paso, Texas, TBI patients are treated by Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC. He observes:
- Headaches are often a cover for neck misalignment.
- The recovery period is shortened by weeks with early spinal treatment.
- Excess medicine use may be avoided by working with healthcare providers.
- Easy balancing exercises at home may help you go back to work faster (Jimenez, n.d.-f; Jimenez, n.d.-g).
His combined training enables him to quickly identify medical and spine warning signals.
Long-Term Outlook
With the right approach, most mild TBI patients recover within a few months. Even while moderate to severe cases need more attention, they still improve. Full function is more likely when the integrative approach is followed (Maas et al., 2017).
Conclusion
Every aspect of life is impacted by traumatic brain damage, from emotions to muscles. The first step is to comprehend symptoms and causes. A thorough history reveals hidden impacts on the musculoskeletal system, nerves, and organs. The body’s foundation is rebuilt via workouts, soft-tissue therapy, and chiropractic adjustments. With medical knowledge, nurse practitioners protect general health. Together, these comprehensive, integrative strategies help patients regain their everyday happiness.
References
- Blyth, B. J., & Bazarian, J. J. (2010). Traumatic alterations in consciousness: Traumatic brain injury. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, 28(3), 571–594. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5657730/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Traumatic brain injury (TBI). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8874-traumatic-brain-injury
- Cnossen, M. C., van der Naalt, J., Spikman, J. M., Nieboer, D., Yue, J. K., Winkler, E. A., Manley, G. T., von Steinbuechel, N., Polinder, S., Steyerberg, E. W., & Lingsma, H. F. (2017). Prediction of persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 34(20), 2940–2947. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29690799/
- Coronado, V. G., Xu, L., Basavaraju, S. V., McGuire, L. C., Wald, M. M., Faul, M. D., Guzman, B. R., & Hemphill, J. D. (2015). Surveillance for traumatic brain injury-related deaths—United States, 1997–2007. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 60(5), 1–32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21544045/
- Ellis, M. J., Ritchie, L. J., Koltek, M., Hosain, S., Cordingley, D., Chu, S., Selci, E., Leiter, J., & Russell, K. (2017). Psychiatric outcomes after pediatric sports-related concussion. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 19(6), 698–707. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26359916/
- Gardner, R. C., & Yaffe, K. (2015). Epidemiology of mild traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 66(Pt B), 75–80. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4461453/
- Green, W., Ciuffreda, K. J., Thiagarajan, P., Szymanowicz, D., Ludlam, D. P., & Kapoor, N. (2010). Accommodation in mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 47(3), 183–199. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20665345/
- Haag, D., Howard, A., & Taylor, A. (2019). Integrative care pathways for mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 12(4), 210–218. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955323000504?via%3Dihub
- Haider, M. N., Leddy, J. J., Pavlesen, S., Clark, J., Wilber, C. G., & Willer, B. S. (2018). A systematic review of criteria used to define recovery from sport-related concussion in youth athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(18), 1172–1179. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5818323/
- Hicks, A. J., James, A. C., Spitz, G., & Ponsford, J. L. (2020). Cost-effectiveness of targeted intervention for mild traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. Brain Injury, 34(7), 845–856. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7248541/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-a). Traumatic brain injury overview. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-b). Spinal alignment and TBI recovery. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-c). Metabolic support in brain injury. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-d). Integrative TBI care model. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-e). Step-by-step TBI recovery plan. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-f). Clinical notes on neck pain and TBI. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/
- Jimenez, A. (n.d.-g). Patient success stories. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/
- Khellaf, A., Khan, D. Z., & Helmy, A. (2019). Recent advances in traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurology, 266(11), 2621–2633. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6803592/
- Maas, A. I. R., Menon, D. K., Adelson, P. D., Andelic, N., Bell, M. J., Belli, A., Bragge, P., Brazinova, A., Büki, A., Chesnut, R. M., Citerio, G., Coburn, M., Cooper, D. J., Czeiter, E., Czosnyka, M., Dams-O’Connor, K., De Keyser, V., Diaz-Arrastia, R., Dreier, J. P., … Steyerberg, E. W. (2017). Traumatic brain injury: Integrated approaches to improve prevention, clinical care, and research. The Lancet Neurology, 16(12), 987–1048. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29122524/
- Mayo Clinic. (2023). Traumatic brain injury – Symptoms & causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
- McInnes, K., Friesen, C. L., MacKenzie, D. E., Westwood, D. A., & Boe, S. G. (2017). Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and chronic cognitive impairment: A scoping review. PLoS ONE, 12(4), e0174847. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5388340/
- Navarro, R. R., Hernandez, A. M., & Smith, J. (2018). Chiropractic management of post-concussion syndrome. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 17(3), 189–196. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6359936/
- Silverberg, N. D., Iverson, G. L., & Panenka, W. J. (2018). Post-concussion syndrome: An overview. Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 158, 351–359. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12128916/
- Treleaven, J. (2017). Dizziness, unsteadiness, visual disturbances, and sensorimotor control in traumatic neck pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 47(7), 492–502. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28622488/
- Wickwire, E. M., Williams, S. G., Roth, T., Capaldi, V. F., & Lettieri, C. J. (2018). Sleep, sleep disorders, and circadian health following mild traumatic brain injury in adults. Clinics in Sports Medicine, 37(4), 565–579. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6239093/
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