.
716-235-3013 [email protected]
Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation TBI

Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation TBI

Conditions We Treat, Neurological Rehabilitation, Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Rehabilitation and Support Services

TBI and Concussion in Teens

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Buffalo NY - Blue Fill

TBI and Concussion in Adults

Traumatic Brain Injury and Brain Health
Concerned about your brain health? Contact Us.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur after a fall,  sport injury, motor vehicle accident, blunt force trauma, accident at work, or any other occurrence causing the brain to be jolted or damaged in some way. The severity of the injury can range from mild to severe, and you may experience symptoms lasting days, weeks, months, or even years. 

Most people will begin the recovery process of a TBI in an inpatient hospitalization setting where you will regain physical, sensory, behavioral, and cognitive function. If you experienced a TBI resulting in concussion, but is not so severe that you require inpatient hospitalization, you should be immediately beginning community-based outpatient occupational therapy. In a more severe case, outpatient occupational therapy will be part of the continuum of care. Making sure you see a therapy team familiar with the symptoms and recovery process of a traumatic brain injury is crucial to maximizing your outcomes. 

Symptoms of

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Physical Symptoms

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Impaired balance and dizziness
  • Neck and lower back pain
  • Upper body and lower body muscle weakness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Difficulty sleeping and staying asleep

Emotional Symptoms

  • Mood changes
  • Personality changes
  • Increase volatility and short-tempered 
  • Unable to balance emotions 
  • Increased desire to be alone

Cognitive Symptoms

  • Confusion
  • Decreased executive functioning 
  • Short attention span
  • Short term memory deficits
  • Impaired information processing speed
  • Impaired multi-tasking ability
  • Impaired working memory skills
  • Word finding difficulties

Sensory Symptoms

  • Tremors in hands, legs, or feet
  • Neuropathy, paresthesia, numbness, or tingling in hands and feet
  • Depth perception difficulties
  • Visual perceptual deficits 
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus) 
  • Taste changes or lack of appetite

For more information, check out the Brain Injury Association

Meaningful Activities (Occupations) affected by a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 

ADLs 

  • Bed mobility 
  • Cleanliness and thoroughness while toileting
  • Showering and maintaining safety 
  • Dressing 
  • Mobility (standing tolerance, walking, getting up and down without dizziness)

IADLs

Other Occupations (meaningful activities)

  • Maintaining volunteer roles 
  • Participating in hobbies or extra-curricular activities
  • Going to church 
  • Exercising 

Why is outpatient occupational therapy imperative for Traumatic Brain Injury 

What are some problems an occupational therapy can help solve? 
References

Altman, I. M., Swick, S., Parrot, D., & Malec, J. F. (2010). Effectiveness of community-based rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury for 489 program completers compared with those precipitously discharged. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 91, 1697–1704.

Kim, H., & Colantonio, A. (2010). Effectiveness of rehabilitation in enhancing community integration after acute traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64, 709–719. https://dx.doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2010.09188

Traumatic brain injury. (2019, March 29). Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

Traumatic brain injury. (2019, March 29). Retrieved March 13, 2020, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

Buffalo Rehab

Buffalo Rehab

Conditions We Treat, Dementias, Neurological Rehabilitation, Pain, Progressive Neurological Diseases, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Walking Conditions

Buffalo Rehab in West Seneca, NY

Authored by Michelle Eliason, MS, OTR/L, CKTS, C.D.S.

Buffalo Rehab Option :

Buffalo Occupational Therapy

Buffalo Occupational Therapy is a specialized buffalo rehab option and was founded in October of 2018 through the Aging with Purpose organization. Buffalo Occupational Therapy has multiple practitioners with specific specialties and professional interests. The practitioners use a neurological-centered approach to rehabilitation which is more commonly known as Neurocentric Rehabilitation. Their hybrid approach to occupational therapy sets them apart in outpatient rehabilitation. 

How can outpatient occupational therapy help you?

Outpatient occupational therapy is a great option within the Buffalo rehab group. We can help you immediately following a medical event or surgery, but also provide long-term oversight and maintenance if you have a progressive diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or Multiple Sclerosis. When you choose an outpatient occupational therapy practice, you are creating a long term relationship with a rehab specialist who knows you, your condition, and what you should expect throughout each stage of recovery and/or maintenance.

What are some problems occupational therapy can help solve? 

Check out other problems we help resolve!

Other Specialized

Areas of Practice

Upper Body and Lower Body Rehabilitation

In order to be functional experts, occupational therapists are fully trained in human anatomy- both upper body and lower body rehabilitation strategies and techniques. This allows us to address upper body and lower body diagnoses, posture, balance deficits, and more. We use various treatment methods such as exercises, stretching, training in body mechanics, massage and manipulation, endurance and stamina activities, stair climbing, walking training, and modalities such as e-stim, vibration, cold, and heat. 

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation helps you get back to doing what you love and find meaningful. If you have recently experienced a traumatic medical event, been given a diagnoses affecting your livelihood, or have a loved one needing support and training to enter the work-field for the first time, Buffalo Occupational Therapy can provide vocational rehabilitation for a reasonable cost. 

Geriatric Rehabilitation

Current research has revealed the human body goes through enough changes over the age 65 to demand a unique approach to medicine and rehabilitation. Buffalo Occupational Therapy uses a Neuro Therapeutic approach partnered with their knowledge of human development to treat older adults through Geriatric Rehabilitation. 

Neurological Rehabilitation

Neurological Rehabilitation uses a variety of techniques and methods to promote neuroplasticity, neuronal re-patterning, and return of function to enhance daily living. It is used to help those who have  been diagnosed with Neuro-related illness, like Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, or Multiple Sclerosis,  suffered a stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury.

Kinesiology Taping

Buffalo Occupational Therapy is specialized in applying kinesiology taping techniques to the skin in order to enhance neural plasticity, support recovery, offer joint support, reduce chronic pain, decrease nerve pain,  and help correct muscle imbalances.

Adaptive and Durable Medical Equipment

Buffalo Occupational Therapy offers specialized advice on appropriate adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment for aging  in place as well as maximizing independence when living with a progressive disease or chronic illness. Offering low-cost options to address your concerns is something we pride ourselves on, and if we can't offer you a solution, we will find someone who can! 

Functional Rehabilitation

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Environment and Home Assessments

Ensuring your personal physical environment and home environment is accessible and safe is just one area of occupational therapy practice. Buffalo Occupational Therapy is specialized in assessing your physical symptoms and needs and applying this information to creating a livable environment both now and throughout the course of your diagnosis. Occupational therapists seek to maximize independence to keep you living in the place of your choice.

Cognitive Therapy and Dual Tasking

Buffalo Occupational Therapy has a special focus in neuroanatomy and what each area of the brain controls in terms of information processing, functional performance, and executing gross mobility. Where many other practices only work on mobility or only work on cognition, Buffalo OT is the only practice in Western New York, addressing both needs in one plan of care. Dual tasking and cognitive therapy is an area BOT feels very confident in addressing as we have seen amazing therapy outcomes. 

Helpful Page Definititions

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are essential for independence in life roles and required for aging in place. There are 8 activities core activities for independence including cooking, cleaning, communication, taking and managing medication, handling your personal finances, transportation and community mobility, shopping

Cooking - The ability to follow a recipe and having the stamina to prepare a meal for yourself and/or your family

Cleaning -   The ability to perform light housekeeping including making your bed, doing your laundry, washing the dishes, taking out the trash, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning your bathroom, etc. 

Communication - The ability to use the telephone, the computer, have conversations with people (familiar and strangers), communicate your needs clearly.

Taking medication - The ability to sort and organize your medication or determine a compensatory method to do so as well as taking the appropriate dosage at the appropriate time. 

Personal Finances - The ability to establish an organization method to understand financial responsibilities and pay your bills on time. 

Transportation - Whether you are driving, calling for a driving service like a taxi or Uber, or taking public education. You must have a defined action plan for community mobility and transportation.

Shopping - The ability to plan transportation, plan a grocery/clothing list of needs for yourself and your home, have the stamina to collect your items at the store, and be able to get them into your house. 

Activities of Daily Living

Occupational therapists are trained in occupations and activity analysis. An occupation is an activity that you believe is important to your life. There are many levels of occupations, but activities of daily living (ADLs) are the most personal activities and are usually the ones people find most important if they were to lose the ability to complete them.  

ADLs include:

  • Bathing and showering
  • Getting dressed
  • Going to the bathroom
  • Walking and getting up and down from a chair or car
  • Eating and swallowing
  • Feeding 
  • Sexual activity 
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Being able to use personal care devices like adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment 

Outpatient Occupational Therapy

Outpatient Occupational Therapy

Conditions We Treat, Dementias, Neurological Rehabilitation, Pain, Progressive Neurological Diseases, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Walking Conditions

Outpatient Occupational Therapy

Authored by Michelle Eliason, MS, OTR/L, CKTS, C.D.S.

What is the role of outpatient occupational therapy?

Outpatient occupational therapy, like every other outpatient rehabilitation, is a specialized area of rehab that makes the ability to recover more accessible for you when you return home. If you have ever complained of chronic pain, had a muscle injury, joint replacement, or other medical event, typically your medical provider will recommend outpatient rehab. The role of occupational therapy is to address your physical concerns, environmental concerns, and functional abilities required for independence.

How can outpatient occupational therapy help you?

Outpatient occupational therapy can help you immediately following a medical event or surgery, but also provide long-term oversight and maintenance if you have a progressive diagnosis like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or Multiple Sclerosis. When you choose an outpatient occupational therapy practice, you are creating a long term relationship with a rehab specialist who knows you, your condition, and what you should expect throughout each stage of recovery and/or maintenance.

What are some problems occupational therapy can help solve? 

Check out other problems we help resolve!

Helpful Page Definititions

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) are essential for independence in life roles and required for aging in place. There are 8 activities core activities for independence including cooking, cleaning, communication, taking and managing medication, handling your personal finances, transportation and community mobility, shopping

Cooking - The ability to follow a recipe and having the stamina to prepare a meal for yourself and/or your family

Cleaning -   The ability to perform light housekeeping including making your bed, doing your laundry, washing the dishes, taking out the trash, vacuuming, sweeping, cleaning your bathroom, etc. 

Communication - The ability to use the telephone, the computer, have conversations with people (familiar and strangers), communicate your needs clearly.

Taking medication - The ability to sort and organize your medication or determine a compensatory method to do so as well as taking the appropriate dosage at the appropriate time. 

Personal Finances - The ability to establish an organization method to understand financial responsibilities and pay your bills on time. 

Transportation - Whether you are driving, calling for a driving service like a taxi or Uber, or taking public education. You must have a defined action plan for community mobility and transportation.

Shopping - The ability to plan transportation, plan a grocery/clothing list of needs for yourself and your home, have the stamina to collect your items at the store, and be able to get them into your house. 

Activities of Daily Living

Occupational therapists are trained in occupations and activity analysis. An occupation is an activity that you believe is important to your life. There are many levels of occupations, but activities of daily living (ADLs) are the most personal activities and are usually the ones people find most important if they were to lose the ability to complete them.  

ADLs include:

  • Bathing and showering
  • Getting dressed
  • Going to the bathroom
  • Walking and getting up and down from a chair or car
  • Eating and swallowing
  • Feeding 
  • Sexual activity 
  • Personal hygiene and grooming
  • Being able to use personal care devices like adaptive equipment and durable medical equipment