Get To Know The Importance Of 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.

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.

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.

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.

Again, more physical activities for SCI patients minimize the risk of suffering from secondary complications. Some of the secondary complications are such as respiratory illness, pressure sores, and urinary tract infections. However, physical activities help to manage other problems such as chronic pain, spasticity, and weight gain.




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