How Chiropractic and Rehab Can Help After a Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can affect far more than just the brain. Many people continue to experience headaches, neck pain, dizziness, balance issues, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating long after the initial injury. While emergency medical care is essential immediately following a TBI, long-term recovery often requires a comprehensive, rehabilitative approach.

At Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center, chiropractic care and targeted rehabilitation are used together to support the body’s healing process and help patients regain function after a traumatic brain injury.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury occurs when a sudden impact, fall, or force disrupts normal brain function. TBIs commonly result from car accidents, sports injuries, workplace incidents, or falls. In many cases, the injury also affects the neck, spine, muscles, and nervous system.

Whiplash-type forces are frequently involved, especially in auto accidents. These forces can lead to restricted movement in the cervical spine, muscle imbalances, and nervous system irritation, all of which may contribute to lingering symptoms if left unaddressed.

How Chiropractic Care Supports Recovery

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. After a traumatic brain injury, gentle chiropractic techniques may help improve spinal function and reduce physical stress on the nervous system.

By restoring proper movement in the cervical spine, chiropractic adjustments can help improve joint mobility, reduce tension, and support healthy nerve communication. This can be especially beneficial for patients dealing with neck pain, stiffness, and post-traumatic headaches.

Chiropractic care also helps support nervous system regulation, which plays an important role in balance, coordination, and sensory processing following a brain injury.

The Importance of Rehabilitation Therapy After a TBI

Rehabilitation is a critical component of recovery after a traumatic brain injury. Rehab therapies focus on retraining the body and brain to work together more effectively.

Balance and coordination exercises help address instability and dizziness, while vestibular rehabilitation targets issues related to vertigo, motion sensitivity, and visual disturbances. Strength and mobility exercises are used to correct muscle imbalances, improve posture, and restore functional movement.

Activities that help the healing portion of the brain function better cause a “reset” of the brain so it can spend more time healing and not just coping.

Neuromuscular re-education helps retrain proper movement patterns, improving balance and coordination, and reducing strain on injured tissues. Together, these therapies help patients regain confidence and function in daily activities.

A Personalized, Whole-Body Approach

No two traumatic brain injuries are the same. Recovery plans should always be customized based on each patient’s symptoms, history, and goals. At Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center, care is patient-centered and focused on addressing both the physical and neurological effects of injury.

By combining chiropractic care with structured rehabilitation, patients receive comprehensive support aimed at improving mobility, reducing symptoms, and enhancing overall quality of life.

Take the Next Step in Your Recovery

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury often requires more than rest alone. Chiropractic care and rehabilitation can play an important role in addressing neck injuries, nervous system dysfunction, balance issues, and ongoing pain associated with TBIs. With the right care plan, many patients are able to experience meaningful improvements and move forward with greater comfort and confidence.

If you or a loved one is experiencing lingering symptoms after a traumatic brain injury, professional care can make a difference. Thorburn Chiropractic & Wellness Center offers comprehensive chiropractic and rehabilitation services designed to support recovery after injury. Contact our office in Burbank, California, by calling (818) 600-9020 today.