Understanding Physiotherapy for a Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is usually the result of a car accident. Many people may not even realize they have suffered an injury to the back until they are lying in bed unable to do anything. For some people, they may not even know they have a spinal cord injury until an episode or pain triggers them. They may wake up one morning unable to move, or find themselves in pain. There is no reason why a person with spinal cord injury cannot use physiotherapy treatments to improve their quality of life.

Often, it takes a long time before spinal cord injuries are detected. A physical therapist from healthbound clinic can help determine how much movement there is in the spine. The therapist can then determine how tight the muscles are, and if they need to be stretched. The therapist can then work with patients to teach them how to perform daily tasks such as getting dressed. Physiotherapy for spinal cord injuries is similar to physical therapy for injuries to the lower body.

Excersize patterns for faster recovery

It is common for physical therapists to start with mild exercises to get the body moving, and to improve muscle tone. After that, more complex exercises can be used to strengthen muscles, reduce swelling, and increase range of motion. If spinal cord injuries are diagnosed early, they can be successfully treated with physiotherapy treatments. In fact, in most cases, spinal cord injuries heal on their own in about six weeks.

There are a few precautions to remember when using physiotherapy for spinal cord injury. First, a physiotherapist is going to use very gentle techniques in physiotherapy treatments. Physiotherapists will also advise you to avoid certain activities, such as those that tighten the muscles, while they are using physiotherapy treatments. Finally, when you first start any physical therapy or physiotherapy treatment, you will not be able to perform the exercises that you would normally do.

Understanding spinal cord immobilization

Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury usually begins with spinal cord immobilization. In this process, your doctor will place a brace around your spine. This brace will help keep your spine in the correct position and will prevent further damage to your spine. Sometimes, the doctor will place a splint on your lower back. The splint will help keep your back straight, and it will reduce any pressure that you may be experiencing on the injured area.

When you first start therapy, you will be given instructions to do simple exercises to start feeling better. These exercises will help to reduce pain and swelling, which in turn will improve your ability to move. However, sometimes patients report increased pain after exercise. This is usually temporary and will go away as your body heals. You should allow your body to heal itself and ask your physiotherapist when you should return to your normal activities.

Consistency is key

Once you have started physiotherapy, you will need to continue to do exercises even if your symptoms seem to have gone away. Your physiotherapist will be able to guide you in what exercises to do. Many doctors will also prescribe pain killers, and an anti-inflammatory medication to help relieve the pain. These medications will usually need to be taken every day for a period of time. They will help to speed up the healing process, but you will have to ask your doctor if they would not be harmful if you continue to do your exercises while on these medications. You can ask them for advice about which medication to avoid, and which ones are safe to take during your physiotherapy.

It is important that you ask your doctor about any medicines or supplements that you should not take during your treatment. Many exercises can aggravate or worsen your condition if you are taking certain medications, so it is important that you are completely aware before beginning physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can be very helpful, but if you do not know what you should not be doing, it may make your pain and other symptoms worse.