Hello everyone! After a discussion with one of my patients, I decided to write this. Has been said before and never enough, one I call: How Exercise Is Changing Brain Injury Healing". I know it sounds intense, but trust me, it's a journey worth taking.
Understandably, exercising after a brain injury may feel daunting. It's like trying to take a leap of faith, not knowing if you'll land safely. But if we approach it steadily, safely, and attentively, this revolution can propel us toward enhanced brain health. It's no wonder our health sages often endorse physical activity as part of the recovery manifesto [1,2,3].
Quick side note from me: You should always run your exercise plan past your doctor or healthcare provider. Their insights will help determine the safe and effective activities tailored for you.
Now, let's delve into how this fitness revolution is revamping the brain injury recovery landscape:
Mood Boosters Galore
The revolution starts with happiness. Regular exercise pumps up serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins – our body's very own happy hormones [1,2]. That means each step, stretch, or cycle is a step towards a brighter mood. Let's keep it simple
Accelerating Brain Healing & Function
Here's where things get really exciting. Research suggests that brain injury survivors who jump onto the exercise bandwagon experience fewer cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms [3]. Plus, cognitive faculties like thought processing and memory get a much-needed boost [4,5]. It's like adding a turbocharger to your brain's healing engine!
Total Health & Well-being
Revolutionizing recovery isn't just about the brain, it's about the whole body. Regular exercise fortifies the heart, lungs, and muscles. And the best part? You don't need to spend endless hours in a gym. Consistent and manageable activities like walking or stretching can be a game-changer. It's all about recognizing and respecting what your body can do and needs.
While this revolution has immense potential, it doesn't come without its challenges:
- Altered physical capabilities
- Waning motivation or energy levels
- Symptoms like fatigue and headaches
- Limited access to suitable rehabilitation facilities or equipment
- Lack of adequate support
Overcoming these roadblocks might be tough, but certainly not impossible. They simply add a sprinkle of creativity to our recovery revolution.
Physiotherapy: The Recovery Ally
When mobility, strength, balance, or cardiovascular fitness issues emerge, physiotherapy turns out to be a trusty ally. With tailor-made treatment plans, a physiotherapist can offer you a roadmap to navigate your recovery journey. And the good news?
And now, onto the main soldiers of the revolution – the different types of exercises:
Aerobic Exercise
The heart of our revolution. Aerobic exercises like walking, running, cycling, or swimming can enhance cardiovascular health and significantly improve depressive symptoms in traumatic brain injury survivors [8].
Strength & Conditioning Exercise
Patience is key in this revolution, especially when dealing with muscle weakness. Workouts focusing on strength and conditioning can be beneficial, but remember not to push too hard or too quickly.
Range of Motion Exercise
These exercises aim to enhance muscle flexibility and joint mobility, making movements like lifting your arms or bending your legs more manageable.
Balance Exercise
Balancing can be a tightrope walk post-brain injury, but the right exercises can steady your stride.
Let's not forget, that rehab is a marathon, not a sprint. It's perfectly normal to have good and not-so-good days. The secret? Go slow, remain patient, and stay positive. Every step forward is a victory in this revolution. Let's keep moving.
If you need support do not hesitate to contact us
References
[1] Babyak M, Blumenthal JA, Herman S, et al. (2000). Exercise treatment for major depression: maintenance of therapeutic benefit at 10 months. Psychosomatic Medicine, 62(5), 633–638.
[2] Craft LL, Perna FM. (2004). The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed. Primary Care Companion to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 6(3), 104–111.
[3] Grealy, M.A., Johnson, D.A. & Rushton, S.K. (1999). Improving cognitive function after brain injury: The use of exercise and virtual reality. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 80(6), 661-667.
[4] Smith PJ, Blumenthal JA, Hoffman BM, et al. (2010). Aerobic exercise and neurocognitive performance: a meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Psychosomatic Medicine, 72(3), 239–252.
[5] Roig, M., Nordbrandt, S., Geertsen, S.S., & Nielsen, J.B. (2013). The effects of cardiovascular exercise on human memory: a review with meta-analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 37(8), 1645–1666.
[6] Hillman, C.H., Erickson, K.I., & Kramer, A.F. (2008). Be smart, exercise your heart: exercise effects on brain and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 58-65.
[7] Garber, C.E., Blissmer, B., Deschenes, M.R., et al. (2011). Quantity and Quality of Exercise for Developing and Maintaining Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, and Neuromotor Fitness in Apparently Healthy Adults: Guidance for Prescribing Exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43(7), 1334–1359.
[8] Wise, E.K., Hoffman, J.M., Powell, J.M., Bombardier, C.H., & Bell, K.R. (2012). Benefits of Exercise Maintenance After Traumatic Brain Injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93(8), 1319–1323.
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