Traumatic brain injuries affect millions of people each year, with a vast majority of them being young adults or children.

Such damage can completely change a life, potentially causing lifelong physical, cognitive and behavioral modifications.

The Brain Injury Association of America works to raise awareness during Brain Injury Awareness Month in March. This year, advocates are spreading information via the #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign.

TBI and concussion differences

Unlike concussions, traumatic brain injuries are severe and often debilitating, and can result in physical and behavioral consequences for the rest of a patient’s life, said Brooke Mihalek of Aquacare Physical Therapy, with locations in Delaware and Maryland.

Such injuries can be caused by a jolt or blow to the head that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. This can result in bruising, bleeding or tearing of brain tissue and a range of symptoms, such as headache, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness. TBIs can occur due to falls, sports injuries, car accidents, physical assaults and more.

On the other hand, she said, a concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that occurs due to a blow to the head but does not result in any visible damage on imaging scans. While concussions can cause symptoms similar to those of TBIs, they typically resolve within a few days or weeks with proper rest and management.

The main difference between the two injuries is in the severity and long-term effects. While a concussion may not result in any lasting damage, a traumatic brain injury can cause permanent changes in the brain’s structure and function.

A person with a TBI may experience a range of physical, cognitive and emotional symptoms, like difficulty with movement, memory loss, personality changes and depression, which can significantly impact his or her quality of life.

How can physical therapy help?

Traumatic brain injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s ability to work, maintain relationships and carry out day-to-day activities independently. For these reasons, it is essential to seek prompt medical attention and follow a comprehensive rehabilitation program, Ms. Mihalek said.

Physical therapy is a critical piece of the puzzle to healing, helping the brain and the muscle reconnect. Most of the time, you don’t have to think about moving your hand to grab a cup or lifting your foot to take a step because these come naturally. However, for people with TBIs, their brains may no longer remember how to do these things. They need to be relearned through physical therapy.

Physical therapists work on a variety of skills — from smiling to walking, giving someone a hug, picking up items or opening a door. They can work with patients at any stage of recovery, she added.

For information, visit aquacarephysicaltherapy.com.