The journey after a spinal cord injury is unique to everyone, and it is crucial to tailor my suggestions to your personal preferences and specific needs. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice. Throughout this blog, I will be providing a few tips on how to improve your quality of life after a spinal cord injury. I will cover the importance of adaptive equipment, along with the purpose of finding a good rehabilitation program, emotional support groups, physical activity, and a few other important areas that will help you get back to doing some of the things that you love.
After suffering a spinal cord injury, it is very important to find a good medical care provider. Regarding your health, it is important to work closely with healthcare professionals, including physiatrists, physical therapists, and rehabilitation specialists. You also want to follow your personalized medical plan and attend regular appointments and check-ups. It is also very important that you manage secondary health issues, such as pressure sores, bladder and bowel incontinence or problems, and respiratory issues.
Finding good and adequate physical rehabilitation is also essential for your recovery. You want to engage in regular physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility. You should also explore adaptive physical activities such as wheelchair sports like basketball, tennis, adapted yoga and more.
Psychological support is just as important as finding an adequate rehab center. It is very important to seek counseling or therapy to address the emotional challenges and mental health concerns after a spinal cord injury. Join a peer support group or connect with others who have experienced similar injuries. You can also reach out to me; I manage and run two virtual spinal cord injury peer support groups, one a part of the Mount Sinai Spinal Cord Injury program or you can find out more about the Reeve Foundation's Peer & Family Support Group here. Finding coping mechanisms will also assist in your development of resilience.