Spinal cord injury refers to any damage to the spinal cord from trauma, disease, or a degenerative disorder. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system and is a bundle of nerves living in the spinal column that transmits messages between the brain and the rest of the body. After a spinal cord injury, messages between the brain and the body may become fully or partially blocked.
Symptoms of spinal cord injury depend on the severity of injury, level of injury and its location within the spinal cord. Symptoms may include partial or complete loss of sensory function or motor control of the arms, legs and/or trunk, pain, changes in respiration, bowel/bladder dysfunction and autonomic dysfunction.
Learning objectives
- Gain an understanding of the neuroanatomy and neurophysiology underlying the causes, types and symptoms of spinal cord injuries
- Learn tips and strategies on how to manage common symptoms and sensorimotor impairments such as spasticity, hypotonia, pain, sensory deficits, weakness and tightness
- Learn about exercise programming focusing on core control, mobility, strength, balance and gait
- Learn how to promote change (neuroplasticity) in movement patterning and motor learning to enhance their movement potential