In 2005 I suffered a traumatic brain injury from a serious auto accident and I had a lot of balance problems, including some vestibular issues. That has since been resolved, and my everyday balance is fine. However, I used to do a lot of swing and ballroom dancing, and when I tried a simple dance recently, I felt very imbalanced. Any unusual motion of my head causes me to feel unsteady (I am a school teacher and looking up and down from my notes to the chalkboard is difficult). Will my balance EVER return, or should I get used to using the overhead projector at school and not dancing anymore?
2007-03-17 02:05:39 · 4 answers · asked by duke95 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
The brain is a funny organ. You may have to retrain your brain and open new neural paths to regain what you have lost. At the very least, I would go for it.
It will not be easy and you will get frustrated, but it is better than swappings transparancies on the overhead projector
2007-03-17 02:11:46 · answer #1 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a therapist and every TBI patient is different and each persons return is different. I am glad you have recovered the way you have. There is always hope. It has been two years since your accident and most people recover a lot within 6 months after, but continue after. It is hard to say.
I have not had a brain injury and as I get older, I have a problem getting on rides that spin as they make me dizzy, even being in a car next to a semi makes me feel unbalanced.
You could practice ballroom dancing slowly and see if it returns. I always get dizzy when I dance and am spun. I have to focus on one thing. When I am spun the opposite direction, that helps me feel back to "normal". Try keeping your head up and focus on one thing. Try spinning slowly without a partner on your own with those ideas and see if over time that will help.
Each person is different and recovers different and you sound like you are more like my normal. I would also talk to your physician and see what he/she says. See if you can have more therapy to work on your balance for higher level activities. Best wishes to you.
2007-03-17 09:18:30 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie F 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although my balance problem is not due to an injury but illness, I find I have learned how to compensate for it, but I do not dance standing up. I have given chair dancing a new definition. Good luck and hope you do better than me, but keep your sense of humour over how silly you will feel
2007-03-17 09:19:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact the Iowa Brain Injury Center...they did a presentation at a conference I attended and they were excellent. They can help answer your questions, and with professional knowledge.
2007-03-17 09:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋