Spinal Injury Rehabilitation & Treatment
Spinal Cord Injury
Although people often associate Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) with total paralysis and wheelchair use for life, many patients will have damage that is not complete but have some sparing of motor and or sensory function. Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (ISCI) means that the sensory and movement loss is only partial and so their clinical picture may be more complex than a complete spinal injury. Therefore spinal cord injury treatment and spinal injury rehabilitation can offer considerable benefits for individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Incomplete spinal cord injury symptoms vary from one person to the next and may include weakness, spasms, altered sensation and bladder and bowel problems. Sometimes early management in regaining independence may mean they are then treated as if they have a complete spinal injury, but we have found that there may be potential for greater recovery than first expected. Neuro-Physiotherapists here at Manchester Neurotherapy Centre use the Bobath concept, which has particular benefit in treatment of patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries.
We believe it is important that the person is encouraged to explore their own movement and understand how they can control and influence it to improve their ability to function from day to day. Each spinal injury case presents slightly differently, both due to the level of the lesion in the spinal cord and also due to the severity of damage at that level and whether or not the damage involves more than one level of the spinal cord. Therefore it is vital that in spinal injury therapy each person is assessed individually to ascertain how much potential for recovery there is available. This will involve an assessment of the deficits due to the lesion but also the strategies that have developed in order to function in their daily life. These are called compensatory strategies and can mask improvement and make some aspects worse for example spasms and limb weakness. We often find that patients can reduce their antispasmodic drugs through exploring different movement options and postures.
In spinal cord therapy, initially an assessment will be carried out which involves identifying current functional abilities and those goals that the person would like to achieve. An assessment of the person’s potential is begun by exploring their balance and postural control and assessing the ability of the body to respond to movement and displacement. How much sensation the person has to touch or movement is also important to assess. Often certain parts of the body will become particularly stiff and moving these can make other movements easier, for example, mobilising the ribcage to improve the movement of the arm and increase lung capacity and in turn, fitness.
Whether someone is walking independently, using walking aids or in a wheelchair it is important to analyse how they move. The analysis of how someone reaches whilst in a wheelchair or how someone moves in bed or takes a step are all examples of activities we would assess. The aim of therapy is to make life easier for the person with an incomplete spinal cord injury, to reveal and exploit any hidden potential, to improve function and to develop a programme which can be followed independent of the physiotherapy as well as generally give help and advice.
Testimonials:
“I visited MNC from Argentina. After my course of treatment in MNC I really feel stronger. The movement I had before I visited MNC was improved increasing in its quality. I feel more muscles in each movement. Now, I’m able to stand up on my both legs. My right arm and leg are much stronger than before and I can move more fluidly. My fingers want to extend. The improvement in my hand is amazing. To go upstairs is easier now. As a result of my visit in MNC I feel that doors were opened in my body to keep improving in my treatment in Argentina. My highest goal is neared; to do yoga again.”
Nicolas – Argentina
“My Mom and I travelled many miles to get to Manchester Neurotherapy Centre. Coming all the way from the tiny subtropical island of Bermuda! Although we travelled quite the distance, it was worth it! I was first introduced to MNC when doing research online. I was looking for the best physical/occupational facility in Manchester; one that would specialize in my type of injury (C6-C7 incomplete spinal cord injury). After reading many of the testimonials, and learning about the cutting edge techniques they use, such as the BOBATH concept. I knew MNC was the place to visit!
During the month of October 2017 MNC scheduled me in for an intensive block period of physio. During my initial assessment, I first met with two of MNC’s highly qualified physiotherapist Funeeza & Alec. Both of these individuals demonstrated the upmost respect and care when we had therapy together. They were very hands-on and their eagerness to work with me motivated me to do more in my sessions whilst at the clinic and home. Many of the exercises focused primarily on upper and lower extremities, core stability, standing, walking gait, and fixtures of compensation from my arms/head when thrown into extension, (leading to fixation.) I always felt much stronger and confident after every session!”
CH – Bermuda
Read further Patient Experiences HERE.