Important Information On Spinal Cord Injury Exercises

By Raymond Jones


In general terms, spinal injuries include damages that occur in the backbone. They may occur in different parts and they might result to loss of backbone functioning such as sensation. The life of the person can also be at risk in the case of these injuries. These damages also bring lack of being able move and independence in case the affect certain body parts. These effects, on the other hand, can be reduced by spinal cord injury exercises which improve sensation and functioning of body to a greater extent.

Mostly, when the central nervous system suffers an injury, it is very hard to treat. Most of the damages caused become permanent though not all. However, there are certain activities such as physical rehabilitation and exercises are used to restore normal body functioning in non-permanent damages. This brings back personal independence. With this aspect, a SCI person should always take physical exercises with seriousness.

People mostly think that once an injury in the spine is encountered, one has to completely paralyze in the whole body starting from the neck region. On the contrary, this will only occur if the damage has occurred in the neck region and it is very fatal. A person, on the other hand, might be paralyzed on the leg region down from waist. These two incidences mostly happen in connection to the type of damage.

There are certain problems associated with any type of damage or injury. In some cases, a person may continue with his life normally while in others the person will have to use walking aids. In other cases, the damage may be severe causing one to become completely disabled. A patient loses all the sensory and motor functions when the damage is complete. On the contrary, only some specific functions might be lost by a person when damage is incomplete. With this type of occurrence, it is very possible for the person to regain back the lost functions.

Following a SCI, it is essential to keep moving so as to avoid spasticity. Spasticity is a situation when the joints and the muscles become stiff and tight. As a result, movement becomes difficult. If spasticity is not treated, it may result in uncontrollable and painful muscle spasms in extreme cases.

This condition can be reduced in the case where flexibility is improved. This is achieved through passive and self-motion exercises. On the passive aspect of motion, physical, rehabilitation and occupational therapies are carried out. With this, a patient is able to move muscles and joints easily. A patient can, however, perform these motion exercises in a self-range. This is however possible where after the injury your arm can be moved fully or partially.

In the recovery process, patients suffering from SCI should carry out stretching activities on a daily basis. These activities help a lot in improving and retaining motion. Daily activities such as moving from wheelchair or dressing become very difficult in case your body muscles become tight. This limits ones independence.

A SCI patient is likely to develop secondary complications in case he does not carry out these activities. Pressure sores, respiratory complications, and UTI infections among are others some of the secondary complications. Weight gain, pain, and chronic spasticity are some complications managed by physical exercises.




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