March Marks Brain Injury Awareness Month

Experts highlight the impact of traumatic brain injuries and the importance of prevention and care.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:58am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the prevalence and effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) across the United States. According to the CDC, at least 2.8 million Americans sustain a TBI each year, and about one in 60 lives with a permanent brain injury-related disability. Physical therapist and athletic trainer Keith Wrich discusses the immediate and lasting impacts of these injuries, as well as the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Why it matters

Traumatic brain injuries can happen in an instant but have long-lasting effects. Raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of TBIs, as well as the resources available for prevention and care, is crucial to helping individuals and communities address this widespread public health issue.

The details

Wrich explains that a TBI, including a concussion, is essentially a disruption of the brain's normal function, causing a chemical imbalance and impaired communication between different parts of the brain. He compares it to a community hit by a severe storm, with debris-covered streets and poor communication. Immediate signs of a severe TBI include the 'fencing response,' an involuntary reflex where one arm extends while the other bends, which can indicate the brain has experienced trauma. Early diagnosis and treatment of suspected concussions are key to a successful recovery and preventing more serious, long-term effects.

  • March is designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month in the United States.

The players

Keith Wrich

A physical therapist and athletic trainer at Franklin General Hospital who discusses the impacts of traumatic brain injuries.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The national public health institute in the United States that reports on the prevalence of traumatic brain injuries across the country.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Essentially, it's anything that is disrupting that normal function of the brain. A concussion typically is a minor traumatic brain injury where there's a chemical change in the brain. If you think about a community that's been hit by a severe storm, a part of town that the streets are all covered with debris and there's poor communication, so to speak. You can't get the vehicles up and down the streets, but other parts of the towns trying to help out. So other parts of the brain that are still functioning decent are trying to help out, just clean up those poor connections that are going on in the brain. Essentially, it's just this dumping of chemicals uncontrollably, and that can give us our symptoms that we get with those types of injuries.”

— Keith Wrich, Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer

“So in that moment, we're able to visibly see it is severe enough that the brain is not functioning properly and those extremities are stuck in a position where they're not getting a clear signal on what they're supposed to be doing. So they're stuck in that static position until everything calms down enough. And of course, medical professionals getting out on the field quickly to make sure that they're monitoring things and stabilizing the neck and head area and making sure that they're getting proper care.”

— Keith Wrich, Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer

The takeaway

Raising awareness about the signs, symptoms, and impacts of traumatic brain injuries is crucial to ensuring individuals receive prompt diagnosis and treatment, which can make a significant difference in their recovery and long-term outcomes. By understanding the prevalence of TBIs and the resources available for prevention and care, communities can work to address this widespread public health issue.