Brain injury support and services
Resources for people and caregivers living with brain injuries
A brain injury can change many aspects of your health, but it doesn’t diminish your ability to live a full and meaningful life. Whether you are recovering from a mild injury or seeking additional support for a severe injury, these resources from our HealthPartners care team can help.

Doctor-led rehabilitation for severe brain injuries
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be referred to a variety of rehabilitative services after your initial treatment. These services, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, can help you manage your symptoms and rebuild any skills affected by your injury. You may work with several specialists, but your care will most likely be led by a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) doctor.
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Other classes and programs for brain injury rehabilitation
Alongside rehabilitative services, NeuroWell offers a number of other programs, such as:
- Acupuncture for headaches, pain, nausea, insomnia and other symptoms (Call
651-495-6790 ) - Brain Gym Class for rebuilding cognitive and physical function
- Lifestyle Renewal Program for pain-focused rehabilitation
- Pool Exercise Programming for exercising with mobility issues
- Driving Ability Program for ability evaluation and assistance post-injury
- Wheelchair Seating and Mobility for people needing additional mobility support
- Yoga for Healthy Living to improve well-being and physical skills
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The importance of modifying your lifestyle after a brain injury
Following a brain injury, self-care can aid your recovery. As you work with your care team to gradually return to your normal activities and lifestyle, make sure to:
- Ask for help when you need it
- Continue managing any existing mental health conditions
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat a balanced diet and minimize food or drinks with added sugar
- Get a full night’s rest and practice good
sleep hygiene - Get some form of light physical activity every day, as directed by your care team
- Limit activities that involve significant exertion or concentration
- Limit reading and screen time, especially early in your recovery
- Limit multitasking
- Make lists, routines and reminders for your daily activities
- Pay attention to what triggers your brain injury symptoms
- Take several breaks (not naps) throughout the day to let your mind wander
- Use sunglasses, earplugs and similar tools to manage light, sound and other sensitivities
Managing decreased energy
During recovery, you may find that you become fatigued more easily, or that everyday tasks take more energy than usual. Again, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Additionally, planning ahead, taking shortcuts and organizing your tasks can help you stay on top of things. Examples of this include:
- Breaking larger activities down into smaller, spaced-out pieces
- Giving yourself enough time to do tasks slowly
- Laying out clothes the night before you need them
- Leaving commonly used items in easily accessible locations
- Preparing meal ingredients ahead of time or eating ready-made meals
- Prioritizing your most important tasks
- Sitting down for stationary tasks that usually involve standing, such as cooking
- Taking breaks during tasks and before you get tired
Returning to physical activities
If you’re an athlete or other highly active individual, your care team will want to work closely with you and give their approval before you return to your regular activities. You’ll typically work your way back up to your normal activity level in stages, increasing the intensity of your activity as your care team deems appropriate. This process is important for keeping you safe and avoiding complications from your brain injury.
Looking after your emotional well-being and mental health
It takes time to recover from a brain injury, and you may experience changes in your emotions and behavior while you do. Having tools and strategies that you can rely on to manage your feelings can help you through challenging moments.
Participating in brain injury research
Research paves the way for improvements to how health conditions are treated. By participating in surveys, observational studies and clinical trials, you can help researchers better understand how brain injuries affect us and how they can be treated. Talk to your care team to find out if a research study is suitable for you.
Caregiver support
Being a caregiver for someone living with a brain injury can be challenging. It’s possible to spend so much time supporting your loved one that your own physical and mental health take second priority.
More brain injury resources
In addition to the resources above, local and national brain injury associations offer a wide range of resources for individuals and families impacted by brain injuries. The State of Minnesota also has its own resource list: