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.

As a matter of fact, the damage to your central nervous system or CNS could be permanent. Nevertheless, with exercises and physical rehabilitation, you can redevelop some of the functions as well as regain some independence. Therefore, it is important to ensure you are active after an injury to your spine. This is because it helps to improve your function and recovery.

In most case, people think of spinal cord injuries or SCI and being completely paralyzed all the way down from the neck. However, this usually happens if the damage is severe and when it occurs at the neck. Again, a person may be paralyzed from the waist down. Although the two are possibilities following an injury, the prognosis may vary widely based on the severity of the 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.

In order to reduce spasticity, it is very important for one suffering from SCI to keep moving. This term spasticity refers to a scenario in which muscles and joints become tight and stiff. This causes movement to be a problem. If not well looked at, it may cause pain and muscle spasms.

Improving flexibility can cause reduction in this condition. Flexibility can be increased through motion exercises. These exercises include self and passive motion ranges. Occupational rehabilitation, physical and motion therapies are the main activities of passive motion. Muscles and joints in this case can move freely. Self-range activities are however important but they are limited by the ability of a person movable parts such as arms.

Stretching activities are very important for SCI patients undergoing recovery process. They should carry out these activities daily. This will help in retaining and improvement of motion. The tightness of muscles makes it difficult for a patient to move from wheelchair or to dress. Independence in this case is lost.

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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