Traumatic brain injury
When you see the words “Traumatic Brain Injury” (TBI) – what do they mean to you?
“Causes” can range from concussions to anything from sports injuries to battlefield trauma. They can have lasting or even fatal effects too.
The results of a severe concussion— for example, problems with thinking, memory, movement, emotions—are clear. The causes, or underlying pathological mechanisms, are less so.
A new study questions the ongoing hypothesis that the blunt force behind a traumatic brain injury causes nerve damage, or axonal injury. A team of researchers, including Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory professor Partha Mitra, found greater signs of blood vessel damage than nerve damage after performing post mortem scans on an injured brain. The findings could influence the treatment of and development of new drugs for TBI.
Clearly if the blood supply damage can be stemmed or treated appropriately and promptly it will reduce the damage to the brain tissues and severity. This will also reduce the ongoing symptoms that may be experienced.
Interestingly, the founder and early Osteopaths put a lot of importance on the nerve and blood supplies to be improved for any type of healing to take place. They were clearly ahead of their time and science is now catching up – over a Century later!
In my own Osteopathic practice, treating the effects of TBI is rewarding and an effective way to increase local healing, reduce ongoing issues and help the individual back to health.
My own mother had a stroke at 50 years old, and although not traumatic, I was able to treat her daily with remarkable results – especially for the nursing staff! – “How come her blood pressure has come down so much (and set off the alarms!) when you have visited her for only 20 minutes?! Have you given her any medication?”
Well that’s how Osteopathy works!
It normalises the systems.
It aims towards the Health of the individual and the local tissues too.
It improves the blood supply
It brings the nervous system and nerves back to balance
Each treatment is unique and individualized to the patient each time
It requires no medication – only hands!
It encourages the inherent healing mechanisms inside all of us to up their game
Amazingly it has been found that the nerves and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can re-wire themselves to some extent (for example after a traumatic limb amputation it reorganizes its neural map and reroutes the function to the remaining limb.)
This shows that our bodies are remarkably adaptable and “plastic” to changes in order to maintain or gain function – even if that is not at the same level as it was. This shows that it is important to never give up hope that something can be done. You just never know. In fact – it simply shows that finding the right therapy for the individual may be the answer, not that health cannot be attained.
If you, or a friend, have had a traumatic brain injury, it may be worthwhile seeking the advice of your local cranial Osteopath. This is especially helpful soon after an incident – when the most effects and benefits to healing take place, but even after some duration afterwards. Also age is not an issue – TBI’s can happen after a difficult birth, during the working life, after accidents etc.
Gayle Palmer D.O. has 30 years of training and experience as an Osteopath and cranial Osteopath – where she uses especially gentle techniques to cause the bodies mechanisms to heal towards health. If you are interested in making an appointment please use the booking link below… even if that is only to arrange a short chat to see if a longer consultation would be useful.
The body is capable of making miraculous recoveries and has all that it needs to do so within itself – Well beyond our understanding. By using Osteopathy the therapist can help to engage the healing mechanisms that are necessary to make a difference. Life comes with no guarantees but by using basic principles and a thorough understanding of the body Osteopathy can help towards better health.
Your Heath IS My Priority. Place your healing in my hands,
Gayle Palmer D.O.
