Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Spinal cord injuries can be the result of trauma, damage, disease or surgery. The severity and type of symptoms caused by a spinal cord injury depends on a number of factors such as, the type, location and severity of injury. The effects can range from loss of feeling in parts of the body through to partial or complete paralysis. Secondary problems such as muscle and joint stiffness, loss of range, pain and reduced general cardiovascular fitness often impact progress.

How can physiotherapy help after spinal cord injury?

Every person is uniquely impacted by SCI. Specialist physiotherapists at Nicole Lavin Neurological Rehabilitation use their knowledge of effected structures, muscles, joints and the central nervous systems (CNS) to develop individual treatment plans and promote optimum recovery. The physiotherapist’s skilled assistance allows the patient’s CNS to experience more normal posture and efficient movement. This promotes positive neuroplasticity or ‘re-wiring’ of the CNS where connections are built and ‘circuits’ are re-modelled to promote recovery. Positive change is possible for many years post spinal cord injury.

The physio will develop a personal plan for you to follow at home between treatment sessions to help you achieve your goals. We believe it is important for treatment to be challenging, rewarding and enjoyable. We expect you to make positive changes each session.

Physiotherapy sessions may focus on: