How Physical Therapy Helps Spinal Cord Injury Recovery  

Approximately 18,000 people in the U.S. suffer spinal cord injuries (SCIs) each year. Estimates put the number of people in the U.S. with SCIs as high as 390,000. 

Spinal cord injury symptoms depend on the injury’s severity and location. For many, physical therapy can help reduce symptom severity.  

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury? What Are the Common Causes?   

A spinal cord injury can involve: 

• Damage to any part of the spinal cord. 
• Damage to the cauda equina, which are the nerves found at the end of the spinal cord.

Common causes of SCIs include: 

• Arthritis 
• Cancer 
• Disk degeneration 
• Inflammation 
• Infection 
• Trauma 

Sources of trauma causing SCIs include: 

• A blow, which can occur during: 
  • A fall 
  • Assault 
• Car accidents 
• Sports injuries 
• Gunshot wound 
• Knife wound 
• Workplace injuries 

How Physical Therapy Supports Recovery and Rehabilitation

Whether you suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, your injury is part of a workers’ compensation claim, or you were the victim of a crime or accident, physical therapy plays a crucial role in your recovery. 

Your physical therapist will assess your injury, take X-rays if necessary, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your injury, symptoms, and treatment goals. Ultimately, the goal is for patients to regain as much independence as possible.

This typically involves: 

• Rebuilding muscle strength. 
• Restoring your range of motion. 
• Teaching you ways to reduce your pain. 

Your physical therapist may also teach you to use assistive devices, such as walkers. Assistive devices may be a short-term aid while you regain strength and motor functions, or they may be a permanent necessity, depending on whether you suffered a complete or incomplete SCI and its location.

The Role of Therapy in Improving Mobility, Strength, and Coordination

Physical therapy involves performing exercises designed to restore mobility. Physical therapy for spinal cord injuries involves exercises designed to improve the following: 

• Balance and core strength: Your balance and core strength are essential for coordination, which enables you to move properly.
• Flexibility and range of motion: Increasing your flexibility and range of motion helps restore your ability to move.
• Strength training: For some, strength training may involve building muscle to help them move in or out of a wheelchair. Others may rebuild muscle strength to use walkers or restore their ability to walk without aids. 

Factors Affecting Recovery 

Factors affecting your recovery from a spinal cord injury include: 

• Consistency of treatment: Effective spinal cord rehabilitation involves regularly attending physical therapy appointments and completing assigned exercises at home.
• Early treatment: Receiving prompt treatment can help prevent secondary injuries.
• Overall health: Your health at the time of injury impacts your recovery in multiple ways. You may struggle to adjust to living with a spinal cord injury if you suffer from depression. You may also find physical therapy for your injury more challenging if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
• Severity: The severity of your injury determines whether it’s possible to restore mobility or not. A complete SCI involves paralysis and is permanent. With rehabilitation, you may be able to improve your condition if you have an incomplete spinal cord injury. 

Importance of Personalized Treatment Plans and At-Home Exercises

Personalizing your treatment plan ensures it focuses on your specific needs. You’ll make progress more quickly when focusing on exercises that alleviate your pain and address the muscles affected by your injury.

At-home exercises supplement your physical therapy sessions for your spinal cord injury. Performing these exercises regularly will help your treatment progress more quickly. 

Emotional and Physical Challenges Patients Face and How Therapy Supports Both

Physical therapy involves learning how to alleviate chronic pain caused by spinal cord injuries, reducing the impact of pain on your daily life, and enabling you to move without increasing your pain levels.

SCIs also cause muscle weakness and loss of mobility. Physical therapists use exercises to rebuild muscle strength, improve coordination, and increase range of motion, helping you regain mobility or learn to use assistive devices. 

Losing your ability to move can cause anxiety, depression, and a loss of your sense of self. Physical therapy can help you manage anxiety and depression because the exercises cause your body to release endorphins, which reduce pain and improve your mood.

Completing regular exercises and reaching treatment goals can restore your sense of self as you regain functions and increase your independence. 

How Consistent Therapy Improves Independence and Quality of Life

One of the most frequently asked questions about physical therapy concerns its benefits. Pain management is a significant benefit. Using techniques your physical therapist teaches you can reduce your pain and prevent secondary injuries that could cause pain. 

Other ways consistent physical therapy improves your quality of life include: 

• Improving your confidence by restoring your independence. 
• Improving your health by strengthening your core and rebuilding your muscles. 
• Improving your mobility by improving your balance, coordination, and strength. 
• Restoring functions when possible. 

Physical therapy can also help you avoid secondary health issues by helping you manage your weight.

How ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Supports Patients Through Comprehensive Care and Ongoing Guidance 

When you request an appointment at ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, we’ll discuss your SCI, how it’s impacted your life, and your treatment goals. We’ll also explain the treatments and services we offer and how you’ll benefit from receiving expert physical therapy for your SCI. 

We’ll work with you throughout your recovery and provide tips and exercises to help you manage pain and improve your mobility.