Matt White our Neurological Physiotherapist at our Northampton Clinic has written the below about how Physiotherapy can help with SCI.
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a life changing condition that occurs following damage to the spinal cord, often from an accident or illness. This can have multiple effects on the body, including:
· Muscle weakness or paralysis
· Pain
· Difficulties with or inability to walk
· Muscle Spasm
· Altered Bladder and Bowel Function
· Altered sensation
· Altered sexual function
Physiotherapy is an important part of living with a spinal cord injury, both to maximise your functional ability and prevent complications such as pressure sores, osteoporosis (bone weakness), contractures (shortened muscles), diabetes and weight gain, shoulder pain and cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) illness.
At PhysioFunction, we have a specialist mix of fully trained and experienced Physiotherapists and cutting edge rehabilitation technology.
Our treatments, all individually planned to suit your needs and goals, may involve:
· Transfer practice
· Wheelchair skills
· Stretching exercises
· Soft tissue therapies (massage)
· Acupuncture
· Strength and Conditioning exercises
· Functional Electrical Stimulation
· Standing exercises
· Aquatic Physiotherapy
· Virtual Reality Rehabilitation
· Exoskeleton therapies (REX, ReWalk or FreeWalk)
· AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill)
Whatever your level of injury, PhysioFunction can design and deliver specific and customised rehabilitation programmes to suit your needs, wants and budget.
Keep an eye out for news on the launch of our ‘Spinal Injury Service’ – a dedicated programme for individuals with Spinal Cord Injury.
There are a number of charities in the UK who provide support to people with SCI.
https://www.aspire.org.uk/
https://www.spinal.co.uk/
https://www.backuptrust.org.uk/
