TABLE OF CONTENT
Rehabilitation Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Injuries to the spinal cord involve disturbances in overall mobility and quality of life. Around 50,000 people in the UK are currently suffering from such an injury.
A range of therapeutic strategies can be used to bring the body back to its pre-accident state. Many patients, with proper rehab strategies, can return back to living independently. Continue reading to learn more about spinal cord injury rehabilitation strategies.
Understanding SCI
The backbone plays a critical role in the nervous system. This is because this region of the nervous system transmits signals from the brain to other parts of the body. Injury to the backbone can cause such disruption to these signals. This may result in:
- Paralysis
- Loss of Feeling
- Other Related Complications
Recovering from these injuries can be a painful and expensive process. According to an article by Kemal Nas and his colleagues,
“The treatment and rehabilitation process for trauma caused by SCI is long, expensive and exhausting, which brings biophysical, psychosocial and economic problems”
However, with the right support and guidance, it is possible.
The Role of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Strategies
Spinal cord rehab is not limited to physical recovery. It allows the individual to be emotionally strong, which is equally important for recovery.
Rehab among patients with spinal injuries plays a very vital role. It enables the patient to:
- Make full use of their body
- Live independently
- Improve their quality of life
Key Rehab Techniques for Spinal Cord Injuries
Following are some key strategies that can be used to heal SCIs.
Physical Therapy
The role of physical therapy is very vital for rehabilitation. It mainly aims at:
- Increasing mobility
- Strengthening Muscles
- Improving Endurance
The physical therapist usually works with their patient to design a tailored plan. This program focuses on targeting specific muscle groups. These exercises can help improve coordination, balance, and physical function.
- Range of Motion Exercises: This group of exercises maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness.
- Gait Training: Patients with partial mobility can opt for gait training. This helps them relearn walking with and without assistive devices.
- Gait Training: Patients with partial mobility can opt for gait training. This helps them relearn walking with and without assistive devices.
- Strength Training: This treatment focuses on the strength of the muscles in unaffected portions to make up for the lost function.
Occupational Therapy
What do these therapists do?
They help train patients to adopt various methods for performing tasks. Occupational therapy enables the patient to perform day-to-day activities. These can include dressing, eating, and bathing. To facilitate ease in these activities, adaptive equipment or modified tools may be used, such as:
- Training on Using Adaptive Equipment: Training in the use of adaptive equipment that helps in making life easier.
- Home Changes: Instructing the client in installing grab bars in the bathroom or ramps for easy access.
- Energy Conservation: Teaching the patient to pace their activities to conserve energy.
Respiratory Therapy
These therapists work with patients to strengthen muscles used during respiration. Depending on the level of damage to the backbone, breathing complications may arise. This becomes very important for those patients with injuries of the higher spinal cord.
- Respiratory Exercises: These exercises increase the volume of the lungs along with the strength of lung muscles.
- Assistance with Cough: These techniques help the patient clear their lungs to prevent infection.
- Management of the Ventilator: Where there is a need for breathing assistance, professionals help patients use the machine safely.
Psychological Support
Part of the recovery process involves various means of psychological support. This is because coping with a spinal injury is emotionally overwhelming. This support allows the patient to adapt to his new condition, cope with feelings of loss, and have a positive attitude toward recovery.
- Counselling: Regular sessions with a psychologist or counsellor provides emotional support.
- Support Groups: Coming into contact with others who have had the same injury often leads to positive reassurance and valuable practical experience.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Meditation relaxes stress and anxiety.
The Road to Recovery
Spinal rehab is a long process. But, with the right strategies in place, a patient can achieve considerable improvements in their quality of life.
If you or someone you know has a SCI, then rehab should be started immediately. This is the best opportunity for recovery and enhancing quality of life. Through early intervention coupled with a personalised recovery plan, the chances of recovery increase.
Conclusion
Rehab of SCI is complex and may require various forms of therapy. Only by adopting spinal cord injury rehabilitation strategies, such patients are able to work their way back toward independence. Slowly, with time, they are able to rebuild their life after the injury.
At Concise Medico, we believe in catering to your needs right from the beginning. We do this in the form of professional advice, resources, and rehabilitation techniques related to SCIs. From physical therapy to psychological support, our team is ready to provide you with what it takes to help you recover.
Rehabilitation Strategies for Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Injuries to the spinal cord involve disturbances in overall mobility and quality of life. Around 50,000 people in the UK are currently suffering from such an injury.
A range of therapeutic strategies can be used to bring the body back to its pre-accident state. Many patients, with proper rehab strategies, can return back to living independently. Continue reading to learn more about spinal cord injury rehabilitation strategies.
Understanding SCI
The backbone plays a critical role in the nervous system. This is because this region of the nervous system transmits signals from the brain to other parts of the body. Injury to the backbone can cause such disruption to these signals. This may result in:
- Paralysis
- Loss of Feeling
- Other Related Complications
Recovering from these injuries can be a painful and expensive process. According to an article by Kemal Nas and his colleagues,
“The treatment and rehabilitation process for trauma caused by SCI is long, expensive and exhausting, which brings biophysical, psychosocial and economic problems”
However, with the right support and guidance, it is possible.
The Role of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Strategies
Spinal cord rehab is not limited to physical recovery. It allows the individual to be emotionally strong, which is equally important for recovery.
Rehab among patients with spinal injuries plays a very vital role. It enables the patient to:
- Make full use of their body
- Live independently
- Improve their quality of life
Key Rehab Techniques for Spinal Cord Injuries
Following are some key strategies that can be used to heal SCIs.
Physical Therapy
The role of physical therapy is very vital for rehabilitation. It mainly aims at:
- Increasing mobility
- Strengthening Muscles
- Improving Endurance
The physical therapist usually works with their patient to design a tailored plan. This program focuses on targeting specific muscle groups. These exercises can help improve coordination, balance, and physical function.
- Range of Motion Exercises: This group of exercises maintain joint flexibility and prevent stiffness.
- Gait Training: Patients with partial mobility can opt for gait training. This helps them relearn walking with and without assistive devices.
- Gait Training: Patients with partial mobility can opt for gait training. This helps them relearn walking with and without assistive devices.
- Strength Training: This treatment focuses on the strength of the muscles in unaffected portions to make up for the lost function.
Occupational Therapy
What do these therapists do?
They help train patients to adopt various methods for performing tasks. Occupational therapy enables the patient to perform day-to-day activities. These can include dressing, eating, and bathing. To facilitate ease in these activities, adaptive equipment or modified tools may be used, such as:
- Training on Using Adaptive Equipment: Training in the use of adaptive equipment that helps in making life easier.
- Home Changes: Instructing the client in installing grab bars in the bathroom or ramps for easy access.
- Energy Conservation: Teaching the patient to pace their activities to conserve energy.
Respiratory Therapy
These therapists work with patients to strengthen muscles used during respiration. Depending on the level of damage to the backbone, breathing complications may arise. This becomes very important for those patients with injuries of the higher spinal cord.
- Respiratory Exercises: These exercises increase the volume of the lungs along with the strength of lung muscles.
- Assistance with Cough: These techniques help the patient clear their lungs to prevent infection.
- Management of the Ventilator: Where there is a need for breathing assistance, professionals help patients use the machine safely.
Psychological Support
Part of the recovery process involves various means of psychological support. This is because coping with a spinal injury is emotionally overwhelming. This support allows the patient to adapt to his new condition, cope with feelings of loss, and have a positive attitude toward recovery.
- Counselling: Regular sessions with a psychologist or counsellor provides emotional support.
- Support Groups: Coming into contact with others who have had the same injury often leads to positive reassurance and valuable practical experience.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Meditation relaxes stress and anxiety.
The Road to Recovery
Spinal rehab is a long process. But, with the right strategies in place, a patient can achieve considerable improvements in their quality of life.
If you or someone you know has a SCI, then rehab should be started immediately. This is the best opportunity for recovery and enhancing quality of life. Through early intervention coupled with a personalised recovery plan, the chances of recovery increase.
Conclusion
Rehab of SCI is complex and may require various forms of therapy. Only by adopting spinal cord injury rehabilitation strategies, such patients are able to work their way back toward independence. Slowly, with time, they are able to rebuild their life after the injury.
At Concise Medico, we believe in catering to your needs right from the beginning. We do this in the form of professional advice, resources, and rehabilitation techniques related to SCIs. From physical therapy to psychological support, our team is ready to provide you with what it takes to help you recover.