What Is Traumatic Brain Injury
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. In Canada, roughly 2% of the population has suffered a TBI – about 165,000 cases per year. These injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma causing bruising, torn tissue or bleeding in the brain. Severe TBI often leads to lasting cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities that require extensive rehabilitation. For example, survivors may struggle with memory loss, mood disorders, impaired balance or other neurological challenges over time.
Causes and Symptoms of TBI
Falls, vehicle collisions and sports or recreational accidents are among the most common causes of TBI in Canada. Children and youth often incur head injuries during athletic activities (e.g. hockey, rugby), while older adults frequently sustain TBIs from falls. Concussions themselves account for 80–95% of all brain injuries. The symptoms of a head injury can vary widely depending on severity:
- Headaches, nausea or dizziness: These are common immediate symptoms after a blow to the head.
- Memory and concentration problems: Even a mild TBI can cause difficulty remembering information or staying focused.
- Mood changes and fatigue: Patients often experience anxiety, irritability, or depression, along with unusual tiredness.
- Sensory issues: Some individuals report blurred vision, ringing in the ears or sensitivity to light and sound.
Moderate-to-severe TBIs can produce more serious signs, such as prolonged loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, seizures, or unequal pupil dilation. Over the long term, survivors may face chronic headaches, speech difficulties, or coordination problems. Because these effects can develop hours or days after the injury, medical evaluation is recommended even if initial symptoms seem mild.
Conventional TBI Treatment and Rehabilitation
Initial TBI treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient and minimizing brain swelling or bleeding. Once stable, a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team helps the patient recover function. This often includes physical therapy (to regain strength and balance), occupational therapy (to relearn daily activities), and speech/cognitive therapy (to improve memory, attention, and communication). Psychological support is also important, as many patients experience anxiety or depression during recovery.
However, because TBI often involves diffuse brain injury, traditional rehab alone may not fully restore function. As a result, advanced therapies are being explored to complement standard care. For example, recent studies suggest that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may help alleviate various TBI symptoms. One review found rTMS to have “the potential to be an efficacious therapeutic intervention for multiple symptoms after TBI,” including depression, dizziness, and chronic pain. (TMS uses focused magnetic pulses to modulate neural activity.) Other emerging treatments include transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and cutting-edge cognitive rehabilitation technologies.
Key strategies for TBI recovery often include:
- Physical and cognitive rehabilitation: Tailored exercises and brain-training to rebuild strength and thinking skills.
- Occupational therapy: Support for relearning daily tasks and improving independence.
- Psychological support: Counseling or medication to manage mood, anxiety and sleep issues.
Targeted brain stimulation: Non-invasive methods like TMS/MeRT for patients seeking advanced, drug-free treatment options.
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (MeRT) for TBI
Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT®) is an advanced form of targeted brain stimulation available in Vancouver as a cutting-edge TBI recovery option. MeRT is based on repetitive TMS technology and delivers gentle magnetic pulses to specific brain regions. At Neuro Brain Treatment Center, each MeRT protocol is fully personalized: the clinic begins by recording a quantitative EEG (qEEG) and ECG to map the patient’s unique brainwave patterns. These data guide the selection of coil placement, frequency, and intensity of magnetic stimulation. According to the clinic, by “restoring synchrony in the patient’s brainwaves, MeRT can improve focus, lift mood, and enhance overall function.”
The use of magnetic stimulation for brain injury is supported by research. In fact, MeRT’s development was inspired by Department of Defense studies on veterans with TBI and PTSD. Today, as Vancouver’s first MeRT treatment center, the clinic offers this non-invasive, drug-free therapy to patients with concussion and other TBIs. Because the treatment is painless and can be repeated frequently, many patients report gradual improvements in concentration, sleep quality, and headache relief over the course of therapy.
Early Intervention and Next Steps
If you or a loved one has persistent TBI symptoms, scheduling a consultation is a good first step. The Neuro Brain Treatment Centre Vancouver provides a specialized evaluation to determine if MeRT or other therapies are appropriate. Early intervention combined with a personalized rehabilitation plan often leads to better outcomes after brain injury. By addressing TBI symptoms promptly and holistically, patients have a greater chance of improving function and quality of life.
Why Choose Neuro Brain Treatment Centre Vancouver
Neuro Brain Treatment Centre Vancouver (Surrey, BC) is among the first clinics in Western Canada to offer MeRT and other advanced neurotherapies for brain injury. Our approach is highly data-driven and individualized. We use state-of-the-art qEEG/ECG diagnostics to tailor every treatment to your brain’s unique patterns. All therapies are completely non-invasive and drug-free, minimizing side effects. As a dedicated brain health center, our mission is to restore neural balance and support real functional recovery. Whether you’re seeking therapy for concussion symptoms, cognitive impairment, or mood difficulties after an accident, our team aims to help you regain independence and improve quality of life.