Action for Brain Injury Week, run by brain injury charity Headway, takes place every May to raise awareness of the impact of brain injury and the importance of rehabilitation and support for those affected.
Around 1.3 million people in the UK are living with a long-term disability as a result of brain injury, and over one million people attend A&E each year following a head injury. A brain injury can happen to anyone, at any age — and the effects can be wide-ranging, affecting movement, balance, strength, fatigue, cognition and emotional wellbeing.
Acquired brain injury includes a number of different causes:
- Traumatic brain injury — caused by a blow or trauma to the head
- Stroke — where a bleed or blockage disrupts blood supply to the brain
- Brain tumours — and the effects of surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- Hypoxic brain injury — caused by oxygen deprivation to the brain
- Encephalitis or meningitis — infections that cause inflammation of the brain
No two brain injuries are alike, and recovery looks different for every person. Neurological physiotherapy plays a central role in rehabilitation — working with the brain's natural ability to adapt and form new connections, a process known as neuroplasticity.
At River Vista Health, we support people at all stages of recovery after acquired brain injury, whether someone is newly discharged from hospital or managing the longer-term effects of injury. Physiotherapy can help to improve mobility, balance, strength, coordination and independence, with every treatment programme tailored to the individual's goals and circumstances.
For more information about brain injury and the support available, visit Headway.