Brain Injury and Concussion Therapy at Home
In-Home Brain Injury and Concussion Therapy in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan
Rebuild balance, thinking, communication, and daily routines after a head injury.
ELEVATE provides in-home rehabilitation for adults recovering from traumatic brain injury and concussion in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan. Licensed physical, occupational, and speech-language therapists work on balance, dizziness, thinking, communication, and daily tasks in your own home, alongside your physician. Visits are private-pay and one-on-one.
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a brain injury caused by an outside force, such as a bump, blow or jolt to the head or body. Most TBIs are mild, also called concussions, but even mild TBIs are serious and need medical attention.
- Effects can touch how a person thinks, moves, communicates, feels and sleeps. Many people with a mild TBI feel better within a couple of weeks, while others have longer-lasting problems.
- Danger signs need emergency care: a headache that gets worse, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, confusion, or one pupil larger than the other.
- Physical therapy works on balance, dizziness, strength and walking. Occupational therapy works on thinking and daily tasks. Speech-language pathology works on thinking, communication and swallowing.
- ELEVATE Therapy Services brings therapy to your home in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan. Visits are private-pay and one-on-one.
What a brain injury is
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines a traumatic brain injury as a brain injury caused by an outside force. A forceful bump, blow or jolt to the head or body can cause it, although not every blow results in a TBI. An object entering the brain can also cause one.
NINDS also describes primary injury, which is the immediate damage, and secondary injury, which can develop gradually over hours, days or weeks after the initial trauma. Doctors may describe an injury as mild because it is usually not life-threatening, but the effects of a mild TBI can still be serious.
Causes and risk factors
Brain injuries happen to people of all ages. Common causes include:
- Falls, which are the most common cause of TBI in older adults
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Sports and recreation injuries
- Being struck by or against an object, and blast injuries
- Other accidents and assaults
A person with a history of multiple or repeated mild TBIs may have a longer recovery or more severe symptoms, according to the CDC, and may have long-term problems with concentration, memory, headaches and balance. Preventing falls and head injuries is an important part of protecting the brain.
Symptoms
Symptoms differ for each person and can change during recovery. Some appear right away, while others may not appear for hours or days. The CDC groups mild TBI symptoms like this:
More serious TBIs can cause long-term or permanent problems with thinking, movement, communication, behavior and consciousness. A person may not recognize or admit that they are having problems, and family members may notice changes first.
When to get help
- Every suspected concussion needs a healthcare provider. Contact one as soon as you can. Getting care can help speed recovery.
- Ask your provider for instructions on safely returning to activities, and follow them carefully. Do not return to sports or demanding activity before you are cleared.
- Tell your provider about symptoms that persist, change, or interfere with work, school, sleep or relationships.
- Children who have a head injury and will not stop crying, will not eat or nurse, or show any of the danger signs need emergency care.
How a brain injury affects daily life
| What a person may notice | Why it happens | Who helps |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness, unsteady walking, poor balance | Injury can affect the brain areas and inner-ear pathways that coordinate balance, vision and movement. | Physical therapy (see the dizziness and vestibular guide) |
| Headaches, fatigue, sensitivity to light and noise | The injured brain works harder and tires quickly, and sensory systems are more sensitive for a time. | Your physician, with occupational therapy and physical therapy for pacing |
| Trouble concentrating, remembering or planning | Brain injury can slow processing and affect the networks for attention and memory. | Occupational therapy, speech-language pathology |
| Trouble finding words, following conversations or slurred speech | Damage to areas for language and the muscles for speech can affect communication. | Speech-language pathology |
| Weakness, clumsiness or stiffness | Damaged movement pathways reduce strength, coordination and control. | Physical therapy, occupational therapy |
| Changes in mood, sleep or behavior | Injury, pain and the stress of recovery affect emotion, sleep and self-control. | Your physician, with the whole team |
| Coughing or choking when eating or drinking | Injury can weaken the muscles and timing used for swallowing. | Speech-language pathology (see the swallowing guide) |
How recovery and care work
Most people with a mild TBI or concussion feel better within a couple of weeks, but recovery varies, and some people have symptoms that last longer. Moderate and severe injuries often require hospital care and a longer rehabilitation. Treatment is guided by your physician, and rehabilitation helps people regain function, adapt to changes and return to the activities that matter.
The Brain Injury Association of America describes rehabilitation, community-based treatment and support services as part of the path after brain injury. Because every injury is different, the plan is built around your symptoms, abilities and goals, and adjusted as you recover.
What physical, occupational and speech therapy each do
Physical therapy: balance, movement and graded activity
- Assessment of balance, dizziness, strength, coordination and walking
- Balance and gaze exercises, and vestibular therapy when dizziness is a problem
- Strengthening and graded aerobic activity, progressed as symptoms allow
- Strategies to manage fatigue and avoid symptom flare-ups
- Fall prevention, and a stepwise plan to return to activity under your physician’s direction
Occupational therapy: thinking and function in everyday life
- Strategies for attention, memory, planning and organization in daily tasks
- Strategies for vision changes and sensitivity to light and noise
- Rebuilding routines: self-care, meals, household tasks, medicines and money management
- Energy conservation and pacing
- Support with returning to work, school and community, including guidance on whether a driving evaluation is advisable
Speech-language pathology: communication, thinking and swallowing
- Cognitive-communication therapy for attention, memory, problem solving and conversation
- Speech and voice exercises when speech is affected
- Swallowing evaluation and therapy when needed
- Strategies and coaching for family, coworkers and caregivers
Supporting services
What an ELEVATE home visit looks like
- Review: the injury, symptoms, medicines and your doctors’ recommendations.
- Assessment: balance, strength, walking, thinking in daily tasks, speech and swallowing screening when needed.
- Home setup: stairs, bathroom, kitchen, lighting and routines.
- Plan: goals that matter to you, a written home program, and training for family and caregivers.
- Communication: progress shared with your physician as appropriate.
ELEVATE serves adults in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan, with licensed physical, occupational and speech-language therapists. See Payments & Insurance for details.
Questions families ask
What is the difference between a concussion and a TBI?
How long does concussion recovery take?
Do I need a brain scan to confirm a concussion?
When can I go back to sports, work or driving?
Can therapy help if my symptoms last longer?
Do I need a referral or does insurance cover this?
Does ELEVATE replace my doctor or neurologist?
Trusted resources for brain injury and concussion
These organizations are the leading sources of education and support for this condition. We are not affiliated with them.
Related guides
Browse every condition we treat on our Conditions We Treat page.
Sources and medical note
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Mild TBI and Concussion and Symptoms of Mild TBI and Concussion.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
- Brain Injury Association of America: About Brain Injury.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not replace your physician’s care. Always follow your physician’s instructions. After a head injury, if there is a worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, confusion, one pupil larger than the other, or loss of consciousness, call 911 immediately.
Contact Elevate Therapy Services
Need to reach us? Use our web form to send a message now, or contact us using one of the methods below.
We will be in contact within one to two business days.
Phone: (248) 266-5721
Fax: (586) 788-1704
