Traumatic Brain Injuries Posture and Balance Recovery

How Traumatic Brain Injuries Affect Posture and Balance: Causes, Effects, and Chiropractic Solutions

Traumatic brain injuries, often called TBIs, happen when a sudden blow or jolt to the head damages the brain. These injuries can range from mild, like a concussion, to severe, where the brain suffers major harm. One key way TBIs impact the body is by changing posture and balance. Posture is how we hold our bodies upright, and balance helps us stay steady without falling. When the brain is injured, it can disrupt the signals that control these functions, leading to problems that can last for weeks, months, or even years.

In this article, we’ll look at how TBIs cause balance issues that stick around, sometimes leading to stiff and unusual body positions known as abnormal posturing. We’ll also discuss how these injuries can cause the spine to become misaligned, exacerbating headaches and dizziness. Finally, we’ll explore how chiropractic care, which focuses on correcting the spine and nervous system, can aid in recovery. This includes adjustments to the spine and therapies that enhance the coordination between the brain and body. Understanding these changes can help individuals receive the appropriate treatment and enhance their daily lives.

Understanding Balance Issues from Traumatic Brain Injuries

Balance is the ability to maintain your body’s stability while standing, sitting, or moving. It depends on the brain working with your eyes, inner ears, and senses in your muscles and joints. When a TBI occurs, it can damage parts of the brain that process these inputs, making it difficult to maintain balance (Brain Injury Canada, n.d.). For example, the vestibular system in the inner ear, which informs the brain about head position and motion, is often affected. This can lead to dizziness, a spinning sensation, or difficulty walking straight.

Mild TBIs, like concussions, might seem to heal quickly, but they can cause long-term changes in how you control your posture. Studies show that even years after a mild injury, individuals may experience subtle balance issues that aren’t apparent in simple tests. These changes result from the brain’s struggle to integrate signals from sight, touch, and the inner ear (Sosnoff et al., 2011). In one study, people with past mild TBIs showed different patterns in how their bodies swayed when standing, especially when tasks got harder, like closing their eyes or standing on an unstable surface. This means the brain isn’t adapting as well as it should, leading to a higher risk of falls.

Severe TBIs make balance problems even worse. Approximately 30% to 65% of individuals with brain injuries experience ongoing balance issues, which can impact walking, running, or even sitting without support (Brain Injury Canada, n.d.). Factors like age play a role—older people or those with more serious injuries tend to have poorer balance. Research on over 900 adults with TBIs found that only 16% had normal standing balance right after the injury, compared to 40% for sitting. Conditions such as brain swelling or infections during recovery can make it more challenging to regain steady posture (Brain Injury Association of America, n.d.).

These balance changes happen because TBIs damage sensory, visual, or vestibular processes. The brain can’t process information about the body’s position in space, so muscles don’t respond correctly. This might cause leaning to one side, weak muscles, or stiff limbs. Over time, without treatment, it can lead to more falls, anxiety about moving, or even depression from limited activity. Therapy often includes exercises to retrain the brain, like standing on one foot or using balance boards, to rebuild these connections.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a chiropractor and nurse practitioner with over 30 years of experience, has observed in his clinic that many TBI patients often miss hidden symptoms, such as subtle balance shifts. He emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis to prevent long-term posture problems, employing an integrative approach that combines chiropractic adjustments with other therapeutic modalities (Jimenez, n.d.). In his practice, he sees how untreated balance issues from TBIs can worsen daily life, but targeted care can help restore stability.

Abnormal Posturing in Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

In the worst cases of TBIs, the body can go into stiff, automatic positions called abnormal posturing. This isn’t something a person chooses—it’s a reflex from brain damage. There are two main types: decorticate and decerebrate posturing, both of which are signs of serious trouble that require immediate medical attention.

Decorticate posturing occurs when damage affects the upper parts of the brain, such as the cerebral cortex or thalamus. The arms bend in toward the chest, with clenched fists and wrists curled. The legs stay straight and rigid, with toes pointing down (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). This posture can affect one or both sides and often shows up when someone is unconscious. It’s less severe than the other type but still means the brain’s motor pathways are hurt, leading to stiff muscles and poor control over body position (Mount Sinai Health System, n.d.a).

Decerebrate posturing is even more severe, indicating damage to deeper brain areas, such as the midbrain or brainstem. Here, the arms and legs stretch out straight, toes point down, and the head and neck arch back. Muscles become very tight and rigid (UF Health, n.d.). This can happen on one side or both and might switch with decorticate posturing. It’s a red flag for life-threatening issues, like swelling that presses on the brainstem (Mount Sinai Health System, n.d.b).

Both types come from TBIs disrupting the brain’s control over reflexes. Normally, the brain keeps muscles balanced, but an injury allows lower reflexes to take over, causing these stiff poses (Flint Rehab, 2023). Survival rates are low—about 37% for decorticate and 10% for decerebrate—but quick treatment like breathing support or surgery can help. Therapists might position patients upright to ease stiffness and aid recovery.

Dr. Jimenez notes that abnormal posturing in TBIs often links to long-term mobility challenges. In his clinical work, he utilizes chiropractic care to address related spinal issues, helping to reduce stiffness and improve posture over time (Jimenez, n.d.).

Spinal Misalignments Caused by Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs don’t just hurt the brain—they can knock the spine out of line, especially in the neck (cervical) and upper back (thoracic) areas. This misalignment, called subluxation, occurs due to the force of an injury, such as a car crash or fall. It disrupts how the spine supports the body, leading to poor posture, headaches, and increased dizziness.

When the spine shifts, it puts pressure on nerves that run from the brain to the body. This can make balance worse because the nervous system can’t send clear signals for muscle control (Northwest Florida Physicians Group, n.d.a). Studies show TBIs often come with musculoskeletal pain, like in the back or shoulders, from these shifts. This pain can cause people to lean oddly or stiffen up, worsening posture (Elman et al., 2018).

For mild TBIs, like concussions, neck injuries from whiplash are common. This leads to tight muscles and misaligned vertebrae, thereby amplifying symptoms such as headaches (Vida Integrated Health, n.d.). Over time, untreated misalignments can lead to chronic issues, making it difficult to maintain good posture.

Dr. Jimenez has treated many patients with TBI-related spinal problems. He observes that fixing these misalignments early can prevent ongoing pain and balance loss, using adjustments to restore alignment (Jimenez, n.d.). His approach includes checking for hidden symptoms that link brain injury to spine health.

Chiropractic Care for Posture and Balance After TBIs

Chiropractic care provides a natural approach to addressing TBI-related posture issues by focusing on the spine and nervous system. Adjustments gently realign the spine, relieving pressure on nerves and enhancing the brain’s communication with the body (Impact Medical Group, 2024). This can boost blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid circulation, helping the brain heal and reducing symptoms such as dizziness and headaches.

For balance issues, chiropractors use sensory and motor therapies. These include balance exercises, strength training, and coordination drills to retrain the brain (HML Functional Care, n.d.). One study in a rehab hospital showed chiropractic helped TBI patients with pain and stiffness, using techniques like muscle stretching and manipulation (Elman et al., 2018).

There are six key ways chiropractic supports healing: restoring fluid flow, correcting neck alignment, balancing nerves, addressing muscle imbalances, providing holistic lifestyle advice, and enhancing circulation (Pinnacle Health Chiropractic, n.d.). It also reduces inflammation, providing pain relief (Northwest Florida Physicians Group, n.d.b).

Dr. Jimenez integrates chiropractic with functional medicine for TBIs. He utilizes adjustments and nutrition to address long-term effects, helping patients regain their posture and balance (Jimenez, n.d.; Jimenez, 2023).

Conclusion

TBIs can profoundly alter posture by causing lasting balance issues, abnormal stiff positions, or spinal misalignments. Mild injuries affect daily stability, while severe ones demand urgent care. Chiropractic offers hope by correcting alignments and utilizing therapies to restore brain-body connections. With experts like Dr. Jimenez leading the way, recovery is possible. Always see a doctor for personalized advice.

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References

Brain Injury Association of America. (n.d.). Factors associated with sitting and standing balance. https://biausa.org/professionals/research/tbi-model-systems/factors-associated-with-sitting-and-standing-balance

Brain Injury Canada. (n.d.). Mobility. https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/effects-brain-injury/physical/mobility/

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Decorticate posturing. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24969-decorticate-posturing

Elman, L. B., Dubin, R. M., Lejeune, A., et al. (2018). Patients receiving chiropractic care in a neurorehabilitation hospital: A descriptive study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 17(2), 93–101. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5937508/

Flint Rehab. (2023). Posturing after brain injury: Types and recovery outlook. https://www.flintrehab.com/posturing-brain-injury/

HML Functional Care. (n.d.). How chiropractic neurology supports brain healing. https://hmlfunctionalcare.com/how-chiropractic-neurology-supports-brain-healing/

Impact Medical Group. (2024). Can chiropractic care help with mild traumatic brain injuries? https://www.impactmedicalgroup.com/2024/06/26/can-chiropractic-care-help-with-mild-traumatic-brain-injuries/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). El Paso, TX doctor of chiropractic. https://dralexjimenez.com/

Jimenez, A. (2023). Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN – Injury Medical Clinic PA | LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/

Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.a). Decorticate posture. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/decorticate-posture

Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.b). Decerebrate posture. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/decerebrate-posture

Northwest Florida Physicians Group. (n.d.a). Using chiropractic care to treat traumatic brain injuries. https://northwestfloridaphysiciansgroup.com/using-chiropractic-care-to-treat-traumatic-brain-injuries/

Northwest Florida Physicians Group. (n.d.b). Using chiropractic care to treat traumatic brain injuries. https://www.northwestfloridaphysiciansgroup.com/using-chiropractic-care-to-treat-traumatic-brain-injuries

Pinnacle Health Chiropractic. (n.d.). Six ways chiropractic care supports healing after TBI. https://www.pinnaclehealthchiro.com/blog/six-ways-chiropractic-care-supports-healing-after-tbi

Sosnoff, J. J., Broglio, S. P., Shin, A. S., & Ferrara, M. S. (2011). Previous mild traumatic brain injury and postural-control dynamics. Journal of Athletic Training, 46(1), 85–91. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3017494/

UF Health. (n.d.). Decerebrate posture. https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/decerebrate-posture

Vida Integrated Health. (n.d.). Treating concussions with chiropractic care. https://thinkvida.com/blog/treating-concussions-with-chiropractic-care/