Remaining Symptoms After a TBI or Concussion?

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend The Brain Health Collective’s Symposium for TBI (traumatic brain injury) survivors and practitioners. It was an incredible event, and I highly encourage anyone who has experienced a TBI to get involved with The Brain Health Collective. Their work is invaluable in supporting recovery and improving brain health.

🔗 Brain Health Collective Website

That said, the day was also frustrating in some ways. Many survivors and practitioners seemed to accept the idea that lingering symptoms—such as insomnia, sensory sensitivities, and slower reaction times—are an unavoidable reality after a TBI. While I understand that returning to your exact pre-injury state may not always be possible, I don’t believe these symptoms have to be a life sentence. Could it be that conventional therapies are overlooking a deeper, more foundational piece of the puzzle?

At Integrate and Thrive, my work focuses on reconnecting the brain itself, bridging the brain-body relationship, and helping the nervous system regulate the constant flow of sensory input it receives.

Our primary reflexes play a crucial role in survival and protection. In the event of a TBI or concussion, these reflexes are activated as a defense mechanism. However, if they aren’t properly regulated after the trauma, they can remain in a heightened or suppressed state—leading to chronic symptoms. This is where MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) comes in.

Let’s take insomnia as an example.

One of the most common lingering symptoms of a TBI (or any traumatic event) is difficulty sleeping. More often than not, this is linked to Fear Paralysis and Moro Reflex—two key survival reflexes.

Think about a time when you almost got into a car accident. Your heart raced, your breathing became quick and shallow, and your body tensed up—that was fear paralysis in action. This response is necessary in moments of danger. But once the threat passes, your body should return to a state of calm.

For those who have experienced trauma—including TBI—this heightened state doesn’t always shut off. Even if you aren’t consciously aware of it, your nervous system remains stuck in a constant state of alertness, making deep, restful sleep nearly impossible. Over time, this dysregulation creates a domino effect, impacting everything from stress levels to cortisol production.

But here’s the key question: What if the solution to better sleep (and overall symptom relief) is as simple as regulating these reflexes? What if it really could be that profoundly simple?

By screening your reflexes, we can identify the missing links that may be keeping you stuck in a cycle of lingering symptoms. If you’re ready to take back control of your brain and body, let’s explore what’s possible.