Spinal Cord Injury Physical Therapy Charleston, SC

+ What Is A Spinal Cord Injury?

Your brain and spinal cord make up your body’s central nervous system. You can think of your brain as the control hub and your spinal cord as the pathway that carries nerve impulses necessary for health and bodily functions. Therefore, any damage to the cells and nerves that form this vital pathway causes many changes in movement, sensation, and other critical body functions.

+ Types Of Spinal Cord Injuries

You can experience either a complete or partial injury to the spinal cord. A complete injury typically results in loss of function due to total paralysis. This type of injury affects both sides of your body and can cause quadriplegia, paralysis of all four limbs, or paraplegia which affects the lower part of your body.

+ What Are the Causes?

Several things can damage, twist, or compress the spine or neck and cause a spinal cord injury, such as:

• Automobile accidents

• Falls

• Sports

• Trampolines

• Firearms

• Infections

• Birth

+ What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Spinal cord injuries cause many significant symptoms, including:

• Muscle weakness in the arms and legs

• Impaired or loss of muscle movement

• Changes in sensations, such as feeling hot and cold

• Diminished feeling in arms, legs, or all limbs

• Intense pain or stinging

+ Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury

When a spinal cord injury damages the brain’s communication with a part of your body, you lose the vital function of the affected organ. The effects of a damaged spinal cord on the body include:

• Loss of ability to control bladder or bowel

• Trouble breathing and coughing

• Lowered blood pressure

• Slowed heart rate

• Cognitive impairment

• Uncontrolled reflexes

+ What Are the Risk Factors?

Anyone is at risk for a spinal cord injury. However, certain factors increase the likelihood of occurrence, such as:

• Gender. Four out of five spinal cord injuries occur in men

• Young adult. This group suffers the most injuries

• Older than 65. This group experiences the most falls, which increases their risk

• Hazardous activities. Diving into swimming pools and other athletic activities can result in spinal cord injuries

• Occupation. Certain occupations place workers in more unsafe situations that expose the spine to more likelihood of injury

+ How Can Physical Therapy Help With Spinal Cord Injury?

Physical therapy is an essential part of successful recovery after a spinal cord injury. Our physical therapists provide a thorough evaluation to decide the best treatment plan to help you gain strength, flexibility, and sensation in your affected limbs. We focus on keeping you active, strong, flexible, and mobile.