The spinal cord is a collection of nerves that travels from the bottom of the brain down your back. These nerves allow your brain to give commands to your muscles and cause movements of your arms and legs. They also control your organs, such as your heart, lungs, bowels, and bladder.
The spinal cord is very sensitive to injury, and unlike other parts of your body, the spinal cord cannot repair itself if it is damaged.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord either from trauma, loss of blood supply, or compression from a tumor or infection. It can cause weakness or complete loss of muscle function and loss of sensation in the body below the level of injury, loss of control of the bowels and bladder, and loss of normal sexual function.
Hence, it necessitates the best physical therapy treatment for Spinal Cord Injury to help patients regain independence and improve muscle strength. Apart from physical therapy, SCI treatment also involves a regenerative rehabilitation program with a combination of Stem Cell Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and others.
Types and levels of Spinal Cord Injury
Depending on the severity of the injury, there are two types of Spinal Cord Injury.
Complete Injury: Patients with a Complete Spinal Cord Injury experience complete paralysis below the level of their injury. They will also have symptoms like a lack of sensation and an inability to feel temperature, pressure, or pain of any kind.
Incomplete Injury: Patients with an Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury will experience partial paralysis and loss of sensation as the injury to the spinal cord is less severe. They will also have symptoms like loss of mobility in one or more limbs (depending on which part of the spinal cord was injured), spasticity, neuropathic pain, sexual dysfunction, muscle wasting, and bladder/bowel disorders.
Depending on which section of the spinal cord was injured, there are four levels of Spinal Cord Injury.
Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: This is the most severe type of Spinal Cord Injury. It can lead to partial or complete loss of function, along with associated medical complications. It can also turn out to be fatal.
Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: It affects the upper chest, abdominal muscles, and mid-back area and can lead to loss of sensation in the legs and genitals, incontinence, and lower back pain.
Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury: It affects the hips and legs and can lead to varying degrees of loss of function in the lower body.
Sacral Spinal Cord Injury: This is a rare type of Spinal Cord Injury that affects the upper thighs, hips, buttocks, and genital area due to direct injury to the sacral region. Patients will experience some loss of function in the legs and hips but can learn how to walk with physiotherapy.
How physiotherapy helps patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Patients who have suffered a Spinal Cord Injury should commence physiotherapy at a top-rated rehabilitation center as soon as possible. The physiotherapist will work with you to understand your needs and abilities and help you gain as much mobility and independence as possible.
For complete Spinal Cord Injury
Physiotherapy for patients with Complete Spinal Cord Injury will typically focus on maintaining tissue capability and enhancing muscle strength to improve mobility. Focus areas can include:
Stretching exercises below the level of injury to reduce stiffness and lengthen tight muscles
Regular standing to improve weight-bearing capacity and enhance the functioning of internal organs
Strength exercises above the level of injury to combat muscle weakness
Wheelchair skills such as pulling the brakes, pushing and turning the chair, and taking off the armrests and footplates
Exercises to improve posture and balance
Breathing control and proper coughing techniques to clear out the chest
Recommendations for orthotics or walking aids as needed
For incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Physiotherapy for Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury will depend on the location and severity of the injury and will thus vary from patient to patient. Treatment options could include:
Exercises to enhance control of the arms, legs, and trunks
Stretching exercises to target muscle contractions
Mobilization exercises to improve range of movement
Exercises to improve balance and posture
Suitable positioning techniques for sitting, standing, and lying down
Counseling for anxiety and assistance with regaining mental confidence
Recommendations for orthotics or walking aids as needed
Unfortunately, there are at present no known ways to reverse damage to the spinal cord. However, the best physical therapy treatment for Spinal Cord Injury can go a long way in helping patients with SCI regain their confidence and resume their daily activities to the best of their ability.