Non-Contact TBI (Whiplash-Induced Brain Injury)
Non-Contact TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury Without Direct Head Impact)
The most common type of brain injury we see after motor vehicle collisions occurs without the head striking anything. This is known as non-contact TBI, and it happens when the head and neck rapidly accelerate and decelerate—commonly referred to as whiplash.
Request an AppointmentDuring this sudden movement, the brain does not move in perfect sync with the skull. Instead, it sloshes, rotates, and stretches neural tissue, producing microscopic injury that disrupts:
- Visual and oculomotor function
- Vestibular and balance systems
- Cognitive performance
- Autonomic nervous system regulation
According to CDC data, approximately 20–30% of individuals injured in motor vehicle crashes sustain a concussion or TBI, even when there is no direct head impact.
The Physics of a Rear-End Collision
In roughly 250 milliseconds:
- The head moves backward
- Then violently forward
- Then rebounds backward again
Even low-speed collisions can generate forces capable of producing concussive effects and functional neurological disruption.
Categories of Traumatic Brain Injury
(For use as a clean 3-column layout: Mild / Moderate / Severe)
Traumatic Brain Injuries are classified into three categories based on initial presentation—not long-term impact.
Request an AppointmentMild TBI (Concussion)
- Loss of consciousness: 0–30 minutes
- Post-traumatic amnesia: <24 hours
- Glasgow Coma Scale: 13–15
Important: “Mild” does not mean symptoms are mild. Many patients experience significant long-term dysfunction without proper evaluation.
Moderate TBI
- Loss of consciousness: 30 minutes to 24 hours
- Post-traumatic amnesia: 1–7 days
- Glasgow Coma Scale: 9–12
Severe TBI
- Loss of consciousness: >24 hours
- Post-traumatic amnesia: >7 days
- Glasgow Coma Scale: 3–8
TBI Symptom Screening Checklist
Additional Educational Facts
Most TBIs occur without head impact
Up to 60% of accident-related concussions occur without the head striking anything.
A normal CT or MRI does NOT rule out TBI
Over 80% of concussions show normal structural imaging because the injury is functional, not structural.
Vision is affected in the majority of TBIs
Approximately 70–85% of TBI patients experience oculomotor dysfunction.
Vestibular dysfunction drives post-accident dizziness
Impaired balance, motion sensitivity, and spatial disorientation are extremely common.
Autonomic nervous system often disrupted after trauma
This leads to anxiety, sleep issues, temperature intolerance, fatigue, and heart rate variability changes.
Symptoms may appear hours or days after the injury
Many patients feel “fine” at the scene but worsen over the next 24–72 hours.
Early evaluation = better outcomes
Identifying deficits early leads to faster recovery and fewer long-term complications.
Why Functional Testing Matters
Why Functional Neurological Testing Matters
Traditional imaging such as CT and MRI only shows structural damage—fractures, bleeding, or major lesions.
But most concussions and mild-to-moderate TBIs are functional injuries that affect:
- How the brain processes visual information
- How the eyes coordinate movement
- How the inner ear integrates balance
- Reaction time and cognitive load capacity
- Autonomic nervous system regulation
These functional deficits do not show up on standard imaging, which is why so many patients are told “everything is normal” when they still feel far from normal.
Functional testing allows us to:
- Identify hidden neurological deficits
- Measure them objectively
- Track improvement over time
- Build individualized neuro-rehab programs
Red Flags After an Accident
Red Flags After an Accident That Suggest Possible TBI
- Feeling “off” or not like yourself
- Vision taking longer to focus
- Motion sensitivity while driving
- Difficulty reading or screen intolerance
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Emotional changes (irritable, anxious, overwhelmed)
- Feeling overstimulated in stores or crowded places
- Head turning feels “delayed” or disorienting
- Feeling unsteady when closing your eyes
- Difficulty following conversations
How Long Do TBI Symptoms Last?
How Long Do Concussion & TBI Symptoms Last?
Most people recover within a few weeks—IF the injury is identified and treated properly.
However, research shows:
- 20–40% of patients develop persistent symptoms beyond 3 months
- Symptoms can last months or years when functional deficits go untreated
- Early functional evaluation greatly reduces long-term complications
Your recovery time depends on:
- The severity of the functional deficits
- Oculomotor and vestibular involvement
- Autonomic system dysfunction
- Pre-existing medical or psychological factors
- Whether the injury was properly evaluated early
Our goal is to shorten your recovery timeline by addressing what imaging cannot detect.
Our TBI Evaluation Includes
What Our Comprehensive TBI Evaluation Includes
Every patient receives a full functional neurological assessment, which may include:
- Visual tracking & oculomotor performance analysis
- Gaze stabilization testing
- Saccadic and smooth pursuit evaluation
- Vestibular & balance integration assessment
- Cognitive performance testing (attention, memory, processing speed)
- Autonomic nervous system mapping (HRV)
- Cervical proprioceptive assessment
- Head position & spatial awareness testing
- Sensory integration analysis
- Symptom scoring with validated tools
- Review of prior imaging (CT/MRI when available)
Each component plays a crucial role in how the brain works—and how it heals.
Request an Appointment
Who Refers Patients to Us
Who Refers Patients to Element Neuro Institute?
We work closely with:
- Primary care physicians
- Neurologists
- Chiropractors
- Physical medicine providers
- Personal injury physicians
- Nurse practitioners
- Attorneys seeking accurate functional assessments
- Post-surgical patients with lingering neurological symptoms
- Self-referred patients who were dismissed or misdiagnosed elsewhere
Please integrate these sections into the TBI page wherever they fit best visually.
Request an Appointment