Physiotherapy for Spinal Injury
What to expect in the initial appointment?
The first appointment will last approximately 60–70 minutes and will involve a comprehensive assessment of the client’s spinal injury and how it affects their movement, physical abilities, and everyday activities.
The appointment will include:
- Assessment of the spinal injury: Understanding the nature of the spinal injury and how it affects the client’s current physical condition and function.
- Movement and mobility: Assessing movement, strength, balance, posture, and mobility, where appropriate.
- Functional abilities: Identifying any difficulties with everyday activities resulting from the spinal injury.
- Individual needs: Discussing the client’s symptoms, concerns, and specific rehabilitation requirements.
- Goal setting: Agreeing on realistic and meaningful goals based on the client’s abilities and priorities.
- Treatment planning: Explaining the proposed physiotherapy treatment plan and how it may help address the effects of the spinal injury.
The assessment will be tailored to the client’s individual condition, taking into account the type and severity of the spinal injury and any resulting physical limitations. This will help identify the most appropriate physiotherapy approach to support recovery, maintain physical abilities, improve functional independence, and enhance quality of life.
The findings will also help guide future treatment sessions and ensure that physiotherapy remains focused on the client’s needs and rehabilitation goals following their spinal injury.
Follow up appointments
Subsequent appointments will focus on neurological physiotherapy tailored to the client’s individual needs, abilities, and goals following a spinal injury.
Sessions will usually last 50–60 minutes and will aim to support movement, maintain physical function, improve comfort, and promote independence wherever possible.
Treatment for spinal injuries may include:
- Massage and hands-on treatment: To help manage muscle tightness, improve comfort, and support movement where appropriate.
- Stretching and mobilisation: To maintain joint flexibility and movement. For clients with complete spinal injuries, passive movement of the limbs may be used where appropriate.
- Movement and rehabilitation exercises: For clients with incomplete spinal injuries, exercises may focus on improving movement, strength, balance, and functional abilities, depending on their individual presentation.
- Sensory stimulation: To encourage sensory awareness and support engagement with the affected areas where appropriate.
- Functional activities: Practising relevant movements and everyday tasks to help maintain or improve independence.
- Personalised exercise programmes: Providing exercises and activities to carry out between sessions to support progress and maintain physical function.
Treatment will be adapted according to the type and level of spinal injury, the client’s abilities, and their rehabilitation goals. Progress will be reviewed regularly, and the treatment plan will be adjusted as needed.
Advice and Support for Carers:
Where appropriate, advice and guidance will be provided to family members, carers, or caregivers to help support the client between physiotherapy sessions.
This may include:
- Advice on safe movement and handling.
- Guidance on positioning and transfers.
- Recommendations for appropriate exercises and activities.
- Practical strategies to support comfort and independence.
- Positioning and Wheelchair Support
As part of a holistic approach to spinal injury rehabilitation, positioning in bed or in a wheelchair can be assessed where required.
This may include:
- Assessing posture, comfort, and body alignment.
- Identifying areas where additional support may be needed.
- Providing advice on safe and comfortable positioning.
- Reviewing wheelchair seating and positioning where appropriate.
Helping with a referral to Wheelchair Services if further wheelchair or specialist seating support is required.
Overall Aim
The aim of neurological physiotherapy following a spinal injury is to help the client maintain or improve their physical abilities, support functional independence, and improve comfort and quality of life. Treatment will be tailored to the individual’s needs and adjusted as their rehabilitation progresses.