Brain injuries are classified depending on how they originate. An acquired brain injury (ABI) includes any brain injury acquired after birth. An ABI can result from any number of conditions not considered external, such as tumors, toxins, degenerative diseases, strokes, or oxygen deprivation. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of ABI involving a physical insult to the brain by an external force, such as a car accident, a fall, a blow to the head, or a sports impact, etc. Having sustained a traumatic brain injury can increase a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and psychiatric brain disorders.
You would think that if you had a brain injury you would know it, right? Maybe not.
You may not realize that the physical or mental conditions you have been experiencing are because of a brain injury.
Many people come into Grey Matters with depression, anxiety, impulsivity, OCD, anger problems, mood disorders, brain fog, memory or other cognitive issues, and more thinking “that’s just the way they are” only to discover that their brain map shows that they probably sustained a brain injury in childhood and their brain isn’t functioning optimally.
No two brain injuries are alike and no two paths to recovery are the same. However, neurofeedback training can produce improvements in symptoms and help the brain repair itself by addressing specific issues in any brain. Neurofeedback can pinpoint under functioning or dysregulated areas of the brain or abnormal communication between parts and train specifically for symptom relief even years after an injury occurred. A review of 22 studies of neurofeedback training with TBI concluded that:
“All studies demonstrated positive findings, in that neurofeedback led to improvement in measures of impairment, whether subjective, objective, or both.” ¹
Grey’s Plan — The Most Complete
Brain Training We Offer
If you want the most comprehensive, all-inclusive, guided solution for focus, behavior, and overall brain health—for your child or yourself, Grey’s Plan gives you everything needed to make the next 4 months the turning point.
Neurofeedback alone is powerful.
But when you combine brain training with gut testing, clinical oversight, and unlimited support, results come faster, smoother, and last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury
We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions about Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury, for your convenience. If you don’t see the information you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Simply click on the question that interests you to navigate directly to the relevant section.
For some people, yes. After a brain injury, the brain may struggle with regulation, processing speed, sleep, mood, or communication between regions. Neurofeedback may help support healthier brain function over time by encouraging more regulated patterns. It is not a replacement for medical care, but it can be a valuable part of recovery for the right person.
For a recent concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, we typically recommend waiting at least a few weeks — the brain needs initial recovery time. For older injuries, there is no ‘too late.’ We have worked with clients whose injuries were 10, 20, even 30 years in the past, and many still experience meaningful improvements.
That can happen. MRI and CT scans look at structure, while qEEG looks at function. Some people continue to struggle even when imaging appears normal.
It may be a helpful option for lingering symptoms after a concussion, especially when issues like headaches, brain fog, sleep disruption, or irritability continue.
There is encouraging research and growing clinical interest in this area, though it is still not considered standard care everywhere. Many people explore it as part of a broader recovery plan.
That depends on the type and timing of the injury. For newer injuries, it is usually best to allow for early recovery first. For older injuries, it is often still worth exploring.
It may. Some clients report improvement in headache frequency or intensity as regulation improves.
Yes, they can. Some people seek neurofeedback months or even years after the original injury when symptoms are still affecting their daily life.
Grey Matters Brain Training Studio in Carmel, Indiana serves clients throughout the Indianapolis area and surrounding communities.
Sources: 1. May G, Benson R, Balon R, Boutros N. Neurofeedback and traumatic brain injury: a literature review. Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2013 Nov;25(4):289-96. PMID: 24199220.