Get To Know The Importance Of Spinal Cord Injury Exercises

By Raymond Jones


Basically, injuries to the spinal cord are simply damages on any part of the backbone. Such damages may result in loss of sensation and function in other body parts served by the spine. At the same time, these injuries may result in serious effects on the life of the individual. This is because losing function in your body parts may take away your independence and abilities. However, through spinal cord injury exercises, you can improve sensations and body functions.

Mostly, when the central nervous system suffers an injury, it is very hard to treat. Most of the damages caused become permanent though not all. However, there are certain activities such as physical rehabilitation and exercises are used to restore normal body functioning in non-permanent damages. This brings back personal independence. With this aspect, a SCI person should always take physical exercises with seriousness.

When these injuries occur, people tend to think that a person will become permanently and completely paralyzed down from the neck. Contrary to this, it is only in extreme cases whereby the neck CNS is severely damaged, that will lead to a person become completely paralyzed. Most people become paralyzed from the waist to the leg. The two problems usually occur but are determined by the severity, type, and form of injury.

There are certain problems associated with any type of damage or injury. In some cases, a person may continue with his life normally while in others the person will have to use walking aids. In other cases, the damage may be severe causing one to become completely disabled. A patient loses all the sensory and motor functions when the damage is complete. On the contrary, only some specific functions might be lost by a person when damage is incomplete. With this type of occurrence, it is very possible for the person to regain back the lost functions.

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.

Improving flexibility can cause reduction in this condition. Flexibility can be increased through motion exercises. These exercises include self and passive motion ranges. Occupational rehabilitation, physical and motion therapies are the main activities of passive motion. Muscles and joints in this case can move freely. Self-range activities are however important but they are limited by the ability of a person movable parts such as arms.

Stretching activities are very important for SCI patients undergoing recovery process. They should carry out these activities daily. This will help in retaining and improvement of motion. The tightness of muscles makes it difficult for a patient to move from wheelchair or to dress. Independence in this case is lost.

These physicals also reduce the chances of a SCI patient from developing secondary complications. These complications may include pressure sores, infections in the urinary tract and respiratory disorders among others. The physical exercises try to reduce problems associated with chronic spasticity, weight gain and pain.




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