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Home » Consumer Information » Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

A spinal cord injury survivor almost always exhibits a different response to their situation than the next one, but almost all of them share some level of thinking in terms of being scared, nervous, or bewildered about the events that have transpired. Mixed emotions are oftentimes the norm as many spinal injury victims are relieved that they made it through the ordeal alive, but they are simultaneously in shock over the caliber of disability they are now confronted with.

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs are a conglomeration of physical therapy, activities to relearn old habits and skills, and counseling sessions. It is essential for the victim's friends and family to become educated on how to get involved in the patient's road to recovery.

A case worker or program manager is responsible for coordinating the multiple components of a rehabilitation team including:

  • A physiatrist (physician with a concentration in physical medicine and rehabilitative care)
  • Social workers
  • Physical , occupational, and recreational therapists
  • Rehabilitation nurses and psychologists
  • Vocational counselors
  • Nutritionists
  • Other specialists

During the first stage of rehab, therapists strive to restore as much leg and arm strength in the patient as possible since movement and communication skills are the most valuable to humans. For some people, an active lifestyle can only be reached through the help of equipment like walkers, leg braces, or wheelchairs. Communication skills such as penmanship, typing, and talking on the phone may also call for adaptive accessories.

Physical therapy is comprised of exercise plans designed to enhance muscle strength, while occupational therapy works on re-teaching fine motor skills to these muscle groups. Bladder and bowel control training reviews basic toilet use, and patients also are taught how to manage their hygiene independently. Patients also learn techniques to deal with intermittent bouts with spasticity, autonomic dysreflexia, and neurogenic pain.

Vocational rehabilitation commences with an analysis of basic work skills analysis, aptitude, and physical and mental ability in order to establish the odds that this person can work. Once this is complete, a vocational rehabilitation specialist matches the patient up with possible places of employment, figures out the type of adaptive devices that will be beneficial, and assist in the arrangement of a user-friendly occupational environment. Some patients' health status disallows them to return to work, so therapists try to promote productive activity with exercises that yield a feeling of fulfillment and boost self-esteem. This may include educational classes, hobbies, membership to special interest clubs, and partaking in social events with family or out in the community.

Recreation therapy supports patients in their effort to improve their skills to the point that they can participate in recreational or sports activities best suited to their abilities. Taking part in athletic events or the like gives victims of spinal cord injury the opportunity to live more normal lives, and it also serves as a forum to express themselves and meet others with similar disabilities.

Florida spinal cord injury rehabilitation centers

Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital
5360 Linton Boulevard
Delray Beach, FL 33484
(407) 495-0400

UpReach Pavilion
8900 N.W. 39th Avenue
Gainesville, FL 32606
(904) 338-0091

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital
901 North Clearwater-Largo Road
Largo, FL 34640
(813) 586-2999

HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Tallahassee
1675 Riggins Road
Tallahassee, FL 32308
(904) 656-4800

HEALTHSOUTH Sunrise Rehabilitation Hospital
4399 Nob Hill Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33351-5899
(305) 749-0300

Genesis Rehabilitation Hospital, Inc.
3599 University Blvd. South
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 399-6818

Jackson Memorial Rehabilitation Center
1611 N.W. 12th Avenue
Miami, FL 33134
(305) 585-7303

Rehabilitation Institute of West Florida at West Florida Regional Medical Center
8391 North Davis Highway
Pensacola, FL 32523-8900
(904) 474-4000

Tampa General Rehabilitation Center
Davis Island
Tampa, FL 33601
813) 251-7750