Acquired Brain Injury Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy
Back2You Therapy provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy for NDIS participants and adults living with the effects of acquired brain injury across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Logan, Ipswich and Redlands.
Our clinicians support physical rehabilitation, walking, balance, transfers, fatigue, cognition, daily activities and returning to meaningful routines at home and in the community.
What Do You Need Support With?
Brain Injury Can Affect Much More Than Movement
An acquired brain injury is damage to the brain that occurs after birth.
It may result from trauma, reduced oxygen to the brain, infection, stroke or other causes. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one type of acquired brain injury caused by an external force such as a fall, accident or impact. Healthdirect
The effects are different for every person.
Brain injury may affect:
- walking
- balance
- coordination
- strength
- sensation
- memory
- attention
- planning
- fatigue
- emotional regulation
- communication
- personal care
- work or study
- community participation
Some changes are obvious. Others, such as fatigue, memory difficulty or reduced concentration, may not be visible to the people around them. Agency for Clinical Innovation
Looking for stroke-specific support? Explore stroke rehabilitation in Brisbane or stroke rehabilitation on the Gold Coast.
Assess Function in the Environment Where It Is Needed
Brain injury can affect the way someone performs familiar tasks even after they have returned home from hospital or inpatient rehabilitation.
An in-home appointment allows the therapist to see:
- how the person gets out of bed
- how they transfer
- how they move through the house
- where balance problems occur
- how fatigue affects a normal routine
- whether equipment is being used effectively
- how memory or planning difficulties affect daily activities
- what assistance family members or support workers provide
- which environmental barriers make tasks harder
Queensland Health specifically recognises home-based therapy as one pathway for ongoing rehabilitation following hospital discharge. Queensland Health
The goal is not to reproduce a clinic session in the lounge room. It is to work directly on the activities and environments that matter to the person.
Different Effects Require Different Rehabilitation
Physical Function
Brain injury may affect:
- strength
- walking
- balance
- coordination
- movement control
- endurance
- transfers
- upper-limb use
Thinking & Cognition
Some people experience changes in:
- memory
- attention
- concentration
- planning
- sequencing
- problem solving
- multitasking
- processing information
Fatigue
Physical and cognitive fatigue may make previously simple activities difficult to sustain.
Daily Activities
Changes may affect:
- showering
- dressing
- preparing meals
- household tasks
- managing appointments
- using transport
- returning to work or study
This is why brain injury rehabilitation often requires more than one discipline. Queensland rehabilitation services commonly involve physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology/neuropsychology and social work according to the person’s needs. Queensland Health
Rebuilding Physical Function After Brain Injury
Physiotherapy focuses on the physical effects of brain injury and how they affect everyday movement.
Depending on the person’s presentation, therapy may address:
- walking
- gait
- balance
- falls risk
- coordination
- strength
- transfers
- bed mobility
- physical endurance
- postural control
- upper and lower-limb movement
- activity-based rehabilitation
- community mobility
Work on the Movements Needed for Everyday Life
Brain injury may change the way a person walks, turns, responds to loss of balance or coordinates movement.
Physiotherapy may assess:
- walking pattern
- walking speed
- foot clearance
- turning
- stairs
- balance while standing
- balance while walking
- coordination
- walking aids
- uneven surfaces
- endurance
- falls and near-falls
Treatment may combine targeted exercise with repeated practice of the activities the person needs to complete.
The functional goal might be:
- reaching the bathroom safely
- walking to the car
- managing the front steps
- reducing falls
- walking through the community with less assistance
Practise the Movements Used Every Day
Brain injury may affect the strength, balance, timing or coordination required for transfers.
Physiotherapy may work on:
- sit-to-stand
- bed mobility
- bed-to-chair transfers
- wheelchair transfers
- toilet transfers
- shower transfers
- vehicle transfers where appropriate
- getting up from the floor where clinically appropriate
The therapist considers the person’s physical ability, fatigue, equipment and the amount of assistance currently required.
Where equipment or environmental changes are part of the problem, physiotherapy can be coordinated with occupational therapy.
Build Capacity for Meaningful Movement
Brain injury rehabilitation may involve repeated, task-specific practice designed around the person’s current abilities.
This can include:
- strengthening
- standing
- stepping
- reaching
- balance tasks
- transfers
- walking
- upper-limb activity
- lower-limb activity
- cardiovascular conditioning
- repeated functional movement
The aim is not to complete exercise for its own sake.
The activity should connect to something the person needs or wants to do.
OT for Daily Activities, Cognition and Everyday Routines
Occupational therapy focuses on how brain injury affects the activities required in everyday life.
Depending on the person’s needs, OT may address:
- personal care
- meal preparation
- household tasks
- memory
- attention
- planning
- routines
- fatigue
- upper-limb function
- equipment
- home safety
- assistive technology
- community participation
- returning to meaningful activities
When Thinking Difficulties Affect Daily Life
Someone may regain good physical mobility but still have significant difficulty managing everyday activities after brain injury.
Occupational therapy may help when there are changes in:
Changes Affecting Daily Life
- memory
- concentration
- attention
- planning
- sequencing
- organisation
- initiation
- problem solving
- managing multiple tasks
Practical Strategies
Strategies may include:
- structured routines
- prompts
- reminders
- checklists
- environmental cues
- task simplification
- assistive technology
- changing the way an activity is completed
The focus is on making the strategy useful during real activities rather than completing cognitive exercises in isolation.
Physical and Mental Fatigue Can Shape the Whole Day
Fatigue is common after acquired brain injury and may affect both physical and cognitive activities. Healthdirect
Someone may be able to complete an activity once but struggle to repeat it or manage the rest of their day afterwards.
Occupational therapy may help identify:
- when fatigue is highest
- which activities require the most effort
- where routines can be changed
- when rest is needed
- whether tasks can be simplified
- whether equipment can reduce physical demand
- how important activities can be prioritised
Physiotherapy can also consider fatigue when prescribing physical rehabilitation and conditioning.
Relearning or Adapting Daily Tasks
Brain injury can change familiar activities that previously required little thought.
Occupational therapy may address:
Everyday Activities
- showering
- dressing
- grooming
- toileting
- preparing food
- household tasks
- managing medication routines
- organising appointments
- managing a morning or evening routine
Ways to Adapt the Task
The therapist looks at why the task is difficult.
The solution may involve:
- practising the task
- changing the sequence
- using prompts
- modifying the environment
- introducing equipment
- reducing the physical demand
- changing the level of assistance
When the Environment Is Part of the Difficulty
Brain injury may create new mobility, balance, cognitive or safety requirements after the person returns home.
An occupational therapist may assess:
- bathroom access
- bedroom setup
- entrances
- stairs
- transfer spaces
- existing equipment
- seating
- mobility equipment
- daily living aids
- environmental safety
Where appropriate, recommendations may include assistive technology or home modifications within the therapist’s scope.
Rehabilitation Does Not Always End at Discharge
Returning home can reveal difficulties that were not obvious in hospital.
A person may suddenly need to manage:
- their own bed
- bathroom transfers
- stairs
- uneven surfaces
- meal preparation
- fatigue across a full day
- appointments
- equipment
- family routines
- community access
Back2You can provide ongoing physiotherapy and occupational therapy after discharge where the person still requires home-based rehabilitation.
Queensland Health’s ABI rehabilitation pathway specifically recognises community and home-based therapy following hospital rehabilitation. Queensland Health
Support Can Continue as Goals Change
Brain injury rehabilitation does not follow one fixed timeline.
Some people require intensive rehabilitation after discharge. Others need ongoing support with particular physical, cognitive or functional difficulties.
Over time, priorities may shift towards:
- community access
- physical conditioning
- greater independence with daily tasks
- fatigue management
- work or study
- equipment
- changing routines
- maintaining physical function
- reducing the assistance required for specific activities
Therapy should be reviewed according to the person’s current needs rather than following a predetermined program.
Rehabilitation Beyond the Home
For some people, an important goal after brain injury is returning to meaningful roles outside the home.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy may help identify barriers involving:
- fatigue
- memory
- attention
- organisation
- routines
- transport
- equipment
- physical access
- task demands
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy may address the physical capacity required for:
- walking
- community mobility
- stairs
- endurance
- carrying out physical tasks
Where appropriate, therapy can support a gradual return to meaningful activities.
Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy for NDIS Participants
Back2You Therapy works with self-managed, plan-managed and agency-managed NDIS participants living with acquired brain injury.
Depending on the participant’s needs, support may include:
Physiotherapy
- mobility
- gait
- balance
- strength
- transfers
- physical conditioning
- activity-based rehabilitation
- community mobility
Occupational Therapy
- daily living
- cognition and routines
- fatigue management
- home assessment
- equipment
- assistive technology
- home modifications
- Functional Capacity Assessments
- reports and recommendations
Coordination
With participant consent, our clinicians can communicate with support coordinators, families and other treating professionals.
Physical and Cognitive Function Often Need to Be Considered Together
Brain injury may affect several parts of the same activity.
For example, someone struggling to prepare a meal may have:
Physiotherapy Needs
- reduced standing balance
- limited endurance
- difficulty walking around the kitchen
Occupational Therapy Needs
- difficulty planning the sequence
- fatigue
- reduced hand function
- problems organising ingredients
- safety concerns
Or someone struggling with a shower transfer may need:
Physiotherapy
Strength, balance and transfer practice.
Occupational Therapy
Bathroom assessment, equipment and environmental changes.
The two disciplines can coordinate around the same functional goal.
Brain Injury Can Change What Support Is Needed at Home
Acquired brain injury can affect the participant’s family and support network as well as the person themselves.
Where appropriate and with participant consent, therapists may involve carers or support workers in:
- transfer strategies
- mobility support
- agreed exercise programs
- routines
- equipment use
- fatigue strategies
- environmental setup
Queensland’s ABI rehabilitation services also recognise family and support-network involvement as part of community rehabilitation. Queensland Health
Start With What Has Changed
Discuss the Brain Injury
We review relevant history, previous rehabilitation, current supports and the difficulties that are most important now.
Identify Current Priorities
This may include mobility, fatigue, cognition, personal care, community access or another everyday activity.
Assess Relevant Function
Depending on the referral, the clinician may assess:
- walking
- balance
- transfers
- strength
- upper-limb use
- fatigue
- personal care
- routines
- cognition during functional tasks
- equipment
Assess the Environment
The therapist considers whether the home environment contributes to the difficulty.
Agree on the Next Steps
This may involve ongoing therapy, activity-based rehabilitation, home strategies, equipment, further assessment or reporting.
Clear Acquired Brain Injury Referrals
Useful referral information includes:
- type and cause of brain injury
- date of injury where known
- hospital or rehabilitation history
- current functional concerns
- current mobility
- cognitive or fatigue concerns
- existing equipment
- current supports
- requested discipline
- funding arrangement
- relevant reports
- location
Referral Review
We review the participant’s needs before allocating a clinician.
Clinician Matching
The participant is matched with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist whose experience is appropriate to the referral.
Coordination
With consent, clinicians can communicate with support coordinators and relevant members of the participant’s rehabilitation team.
Reporting
Where required, reports can document current function, therapy progress and clinically relevant recommendations.
Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy Delivered by Registered Clinicians
We review your referral and match you with a physiotherapist or occupational therapist whose experience is appropriate to your needs and location.
Tell us about the brain injury, current functional concerns and whether physiotherapy, occupational therapy or both are required.
Acquired Brain Injury Therapy Across Brisbane & the Gold Coast
Back2You Therapy provides in-home physiotherapy and occupational therapy for people living with acquired brain injury across Brisbane.
Our clinicians provide home and community-based ABI rehabilitation across the Gold Coast.
How Can Therapy Be Funded?
NDIS
For eligible participants requiring disability-related physiotherapy or occupational therapy.
Other Injury Funding
Some people with brain injury may access rehabilitation through other compensation or injury schemes depending on how the injury occurred and their eligibility.
Contact our team to confirm whether we can work with your funding arrangement.
Private
Suitable private referrals may also be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an acquired brain injury?
An acquired brain injury is damage to the brain that occurs after birth. Causes can include traumatic injury, stroke, reduced oxygen, infection and other medical conditions. Healthdirect
Is a traumatic brain injury the same as an acquired brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury is one type of acquired brain injury. TBI refers specifically to brain injury caused by an external physical force, while ABI is the broader category. Healthdirect
What can physiotherapy help with after brain injury?
Physiotherapy may address walking, balance, coordination, strength, transfers, endurance and other physical effects of brain injury.
What can occupational therapy help with?
Occupational therapy may address personal care, memory, attention, planning, fatigue, routines, equipment, home access and participation in everyday activities.
Can you provide both physiotherapy and OT?
Yes. Depending on the participant’s needs, Back2You can provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy or coordinated input from both disciplines.
Can rehabilitation continue after leaving hospital?
Yes. Community and home-based rehabilitation can continue after discharge where further therapy is required. Queensland Health
Can OT help with memory and concentration?
OT can use practical strategies, routines, prompts and environmental changes to support everyday activities affected by memory, attention and planning difficulties.
Can physiotherapy help with balance and walking?
Yes. Physiotherapy can assess the factors affecting walking and balance and develop treatment around the person’s current function and mobility goals.
Can you help with fatigue after brain injury?
Yes. Fatigue may be considered by both physiotherapy and occupational therapy. OT may focus particularly on routines, pacing, task demands and energy management.
Do you provide NDIS brain injury rehabilitation?
Yes. Back2You supports eligible NDIS participants living with acquired brain injury through physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Do you provide therapy at home?
Yes. Back2You provides in-home and community-based therapy across its service areas.
Do you service Brisbane and the Gold Coast?
Yes. Back2You provides in-home therapy across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as Logan, Ipswich and Redlands.
How do I make a referral?
Submit the online referral form with information about the brain injury, current functional needs, requested therapy and funding arrangement.
Need Ongoing Rehabilitation After a Brain Injury?
Tell us what has changed, which activities are difficult and whether physiotherapy, occupational therapy or both are required.
Our team can review the referral and determine the appropriate next step.
Prefer to talk? 1300 858 555