A traumatic brain injury changes life in an instant, for the person injured and for everyone around them. Recovery is rarely quick or simple, but the brain has a real capacity to adapt and relearn, and good rehabilitation helps you make the most of it. More than 450,000 Australians are living with a brain injury, and many rebuild meaningful, independent lives with the right support.
​
At Pimpama Physiotherapy, neurological physiotherapy is part of what we do every day. We provide community-based TBI rehabilitation at our Pimpama clinic and through home visits across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. Our team has particular experience at the moderate-to-severe end of the spectrum, supporting people through each stage of recovery once they leave hospital, whether that is taking first steps again, returning to work or getting back to the things that matter most.
What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is damage to the brain caused by an external force, such as a blow or jolt to the head, a penetrating injury or the rapid movement of the head in an accident. Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, sporting injuries, assaults and workplace incidents.
TBIs range from mild, which includes concussion, through to severe injuries that need long hospital stays and intensive rehabilitation. No two brain injuries are the same. The effects depend on how severe the injury was, which part of the brain was affected and how the person was functioning beforehand.
Common Effects Of A Traumatic Brain Injury
The effects of a brain injury vary widely from person to person. Physiotherapy focuses mainly on the physical effects, but a brain injury can touch almost every part of life, which is why a team approach matters.
Common physical effects include:
Weakness or paralysis, often down one side of the body.
Difficulty walking or changes to the way you move.
Fatigue, which is one of the most common and underestimated effects.
Spasticity and muscle tightness.
Vision and eye-movement (oculomotor) changes.
Dizziness and vestibular problems.
Balance and coordination difficulties, which can increase the risk of falls.
There can also be changes to thinking, memory, communication, mood and behaviour. These are usually supported by other members of the team, such as occupational therapists, speech pathologists and neuropsychologists, working alongside your physiotherapist.
​
How Physiotherapy Helps After A Brain Injury
The brain can reorganise itself and form new pathways, a process called neuroplasticity, and rehabilitation is one of the main ways to drive it. By practising the right movements in the right way, often many times over, you can rebuild skills and independence. Physiotherapy is a core part of brain injury rehabilitation, and the evidence supports intensive, goal-focused rehab for improving outcomes after moderate to severe injuries.
We build an individual program around what matters to you, not a one-size-fits-all routine. For some people the goal is walking again or moving more safely around the house. For others it is getting back to work, driving, sport or family life. We are honest about what is realistic, we set clear goals with you and we adjust the plan as you progress.
What TBI Physiotherapy Can Focus On
After assessing you, we put together a program that may include:
-
Mobility, gait retraining and walking endurance.
-
Balance training and falls prevention.
-
Strength and conditioning.
-
Vestibular and oculomotor rehabilitation, which is a common but often overlooked part of TBI recovery.
-
Spasticity and tone management, including orthoses and bracing such as the Turtle brace.
-
Coordination and motor control.
-
Cardiovascular fitness.
-
Return-to-work and return-to-sport planning.
Community-Based Brain Injury Rehabilitation At Home And In Clinic
Brain injury rehabilitation does not stop when you leave hospital. The community phase, once you are back home and rebuilding daily life, is where a lot of meaningful progress happens, and it is exactly where we focus.
​
Many of our TBI clients start with home visits, which let us work on real tasks in your own environment when getting out is still hard. As your tolerance and confidence grow, sessions can move to our Pimpama clinic, where there is more space and equipment to push your rehab further. We work across the northern Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane, and we fit the setting to your stage of recovery.
Working With Your Wider Rehabilitation Team
Brain injury rehab is rarely a solo job. Progress is strongest when everyone is pulling in the same direction.
We work closely with your rehabilitation specialist, neurologist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, neuropsychologist, exercise physiologist and case manager, so your physiotherapy fits into the bigger plan rather than running separately to it.
Funding For Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Brain injury rehabilitation is often long-term, so funding matters. Depending on how your injury happened and your circumstances, your physiotherapy may be covered through:
​
-
NIISQ: the most common pathway for Queensland brain injuries from a motor vehicle accident, through the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland.
-
NDIS: for eligible NDIS participants, including self-managed and plan-managed plans.
-
WorkCover Queensland: if the injury happened at work (see WorkCover).
-
CTP and private claims: compulsory third party insurance after a motor vehicle accident or private arrangements.
-
DVA: for eligible veterans.
If you are a participant of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), you may be eligible for rehabilitation services under the scheme. Contact us to discuss your situation. Eligibility for any funding pathway depends on your individual circumstances and plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book A TBI Physiotherapy Assessment In Pimpama
If you or a family member is recovering from a brain injury, we would be glad to help. Book a TBI physiotherapy assessment at our Pimpama clinic, or request a home visit across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. If you are not sure where to start or what funding applies, get in touch and we will walk you through it.
​
Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.