• 14 Oct 2020
• |
• By Admin

Spinal Cord Injury: 3 Spine Physiotherapy Treatments Recommended By Experts

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Spinal cord injury or SCI happens when a part of the spinal column is damaged which leads to

permanent or temporary changes to sensations, strength and body functions below the location

of the injury.

SCI has some long term socio-economic impact on individuals, and it’s estimated that between

250,000 to 500,000 people are dealing with this type of injury today, across the world.

In India, upto 15,000 new cases of spinal cord injury is reported every year.

Thankfully, due to advances in medical technologies, there are various options available under

physiotherapy to treat SCI, and bring down its impact which enables the patients to carry on

their day-to-day activities and heal faster.

Note here, that the treatments prescribed under spine physiotherapy will depend on the level of

injury, the damage done on the spinal cord, and the objectives and goals of the treatment.

For example, a cervical spinal cord injury is considered as more severe and complicated,

compared to a lumbar spinal cord injury.

Here are three spine physiotherapy treatments, recommended by experts for spinal cord

injuries.

- Conventional Physiotherapy

The primary goal of conventional physiotherapy is to help the patient manage pain arising from

SJI in a better way by improving blood circulation, and prevent/reduce further muscle atrophy,

and contractures via hands-on therapy.

This is done via extensive hands-on exercise therapy, and stretching maneuvers, depending on

the intensity of the injury, and the site of the injury.

Three main types of Conventional physiotherapy are muscle stretching, joint manipulation and

neurodynamic exercises. Other types of exercises under this can be massage therapy and

acupuncture.

- Activity-Based Therapy

Activity-based therapy, also known as activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) is an emerging

therapeutic based treatment for spinal cord injuries, as well as neurological conditions and

disorders, including traumatic injuries.

The objective of activity-based therapy is to encourage and enable neuroplasticity via strength

training and gait training. Normally, this type of physiotherapy includes a lot of repetitive muscle

movements, as prescribed by the physiotherapist based on the level of injury, and the goals of

the treatment.

Unlike other forms of treatment, activity-based therapy allows the patient to be in a standing

position, rather than sitting in a wheelchair or lying down.

Activity-based therapy can help the patients of spinal cord injury to avoid health issues such as

Bowel function issues, Urinary tract infections, skin ulcers, muscle spasms, respiratory issues,

Osteoporosis, and more.

- Functional Electrical Stimulation Therapy

Functional Electrical Stimulation or FES is another emerging therapy under spine physiotherapy

for SCI patients.

In this, brief electrical pulses are applied va electrodes, to the paralyzed or weakened muscles.

This helps the patient to improve and restore the function of that muscle.

Via FES, patients have been observed to improve their lungs and heart function by a larger

degree, and also boost bladder and bowel functions by increasing the overall mobility and

strength of the muscles.

Often, physiotherapists create a combined treatment which includes Functional Electrical

Stimulation and physical exercises, which helps the patient to heal and recover faster.

For more information on Spinal Physiotherapy, consult with our expert Physiotherapists right

here.