Important Information On Spinal Cord Injury Exercises

By Raymond Jones


Basically, injuries to the spinal cord are simply damages on any part of the backbone. Such damages may result in loss of sensation and function in other body parts served by the spine. At the same time, these injuries may result in serious effects on the life of the individual. This is because losing function in your body parts may take away your independence and abilities. However, through spinal cord injury exercises, you can improve sensations and body functions.

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.

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.

At the same time, some patients will be able to walk either with or without supporting equipment and can live independently, but others might never regain their motor function. In case the severity of an injury is classified as complete, then all motor function and feeling is lost. However, when some function and feeling remain in the affected area, the damage is classified as incomplete. People with incomplete injuries are likely to regain some motor function compared to those with complete injuries.

Motion is a very important activity that can be use to reduce spasticity. This is a term used to define the rigidness and tightness of muscles and joints due to lack of movements. Muscle spasms and pain are the problems associated with spasticity rendering movement of these parts problematic.

Normally, spasticity can be prevented by improving your flexibility through self and passive range of motion exercises. The passive range of motion is performed by physical, occupational, and rehabilitation therapists. This profession assists the patient to move the joints and the muscles. However, a patient can perform the self-range of motion exercises. Nevertheless, the self-exercise is only possible if you can partially or fully use your arm after an injury.

On the other hand, patients with SCI should practice stretching activities daily during recovery. This helps to improve and retain the range of motion. When the muscles become tight, the ability to perform your everyday activities such as dressing or moving to or from the wheelchair become limited. In return, your independence is limited as well.

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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