Helping Your Brain Heal and Rewire Itself after Trauma
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common occurrence in the United States, with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reporting as many as 3 million hospital visits every year by individuals who have experienced a bump or blow to the head. While the majority of those who suffer a mild traumatic brain injury fully recover within a couple weeks, others may experience long term consequences, including changes in cognitive function. In many instances, those changes don’t have to be permanent, but can be alleviated or remedied through a carefully managed program of cognitive rehabilitation.
How Does Cognitive Rehabilitation Help?
It’s important to look at your brain in the same way you look at the rest of your body—in general, the more active your brain is, the more it is stimulated, the more neurons fire, and the greater the chances that your brain will function as it is designed. Your brain has, to a significant extent, a natural ability to rewire itself—a process known as “neuroplasticity.” With cognitive rehabilitation, you engage in a carefully controlled set of cognitive, or brain-related, exercises that can create new neural pathways, which can help improve memory, recall, attention, concentration and problem solving.
What Are Some Examples of Cognitive Rehabilitation Exercises?
Cognitive rehab exercises can include activities that emphasize the use and development of fine motor skills—picking up small items, playing a musical instrument or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Other cognitive rehab exercises that help with attention and concentration include repeating numbers or letters, doing basic math functions, or performing routine tasks with your non-dominant hand. Exercises that help rebuild memory typically involve some type of recall—grocery list items, playing cards, pictures or simply the names of common items. Cognitive rehab can also include things like crossword puzzles, Sudoku and word games.
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of chronic pain. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
