Spinal injuries
How to Maximize Mobility with Physiotherapy for Spinal Cord Injury
Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury rehabilitation focuses on optimizing mobility through exercise. Because every spinal cord injury is unique, every individual requires a personalized rehabilitation plan. A physiotherapist will assess one’s functional abilities following a spinal cord injury, create a personalized exercise regimen, and help patients work towards realistic recovery goals. This article will go over what to expect with physiotherapy for spinal cord injury and why it’s such an essential part of the rehabilitation process.
Why Physiotherapy for Spinal Cord Injury Works?
Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury rehabilitation works because it promotes neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity refers to an amazing phenomenon in which the brain and spinal cord can recover from injury and regain functions that were affected by injury.
One of the best ways to promote neuroplasticity is through repetitive practice of meaningful activities, which reinforces demand for those specific functions. In turn, the repetitive stimulation promotes neuroadaptive changes in the brain and/or spinal cord.
Physiotherapy contributes to neuroplastic changes after spinal cord injuries by rehabilitating patients’ weakness and functional movements, like sitting or walking.
In rehabilitation, there are no shortcuts or gimmicks. Progress is made by focusing on regaining muscle strength and mobility using the idea of ‘use it to improve it.’