What Is TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of health loss and disability world wide and many individuals and their families live with short term and long term challenges. TBI is defined as “an alteration in brain function or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force.” (Defined by International Interagency Initiative) The focus of this definition is the “brain” verses the “head.” Potential acute and long term conditions include; migraine, vertigo, tinnitus, PTSD, sleep disorders, memory loss, confusion, cognitive changes, major depressive order, psychiatric conditions, change in personality and suicide. Some symptoms maybe present at the time of injury, but may also come on over time, even years.
What Is The Occurrence Of Brain Injury?
It is reported by the CDC that 1.5 million Americans sustain a brain injury every year. According to the NIH, adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 and those over 65 are most likely to sustain a brain injury. Adolescent injuries occur mainly from auto accidents or sports related injury and older adults from falls. For adults TBI results from work injuries, particularly in construction, domestic abuse and sports injuries. Children are most often diagnosed from sports injuries from soccer and football. My injury occurred from a road cycling accident – with a helmet. Significant head injuries are possible even with a helmet because our faces are unprotected and that is what hit the road – my face. I had significant tissue trauma and a broken jaw – amongst other injuries to my body.
During my recovery I was told by a nurse that Tai Chi may help with my loss of balance and memory. I started learning Chen Style Tai Chi and took private lessons because I couldn’t keep up with the class. It was so hard I almost gave up multiple times. What stopped me was I noticed change happening. Fast forward one year and many things had improved – so much so that my doctor noticed. I fell in love with Tai Chi so much I became an instructor and it’s been a part of my life ever since.
Everyone’s injuries and journey are different but I encourage you to try Tai Chi. While it looks easy, it is challenging to both brain and body while being low impact. Interested in learning more? Contact me for a no- obligation intro to this ancient art form.
