What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, affecting the communication between the brain and the body.

The effects vary depending on the level and completeness of the injury and may include:

• Weakness or paralysis
• Changes in sensation
• Difficulty with sitting balance
• Difficulty with transfers
• Reduced standing or walking ability
• Reduced upper-limb function
• Muscle stiffness or spasticity
• Reduced physical fitness and endurance
• Difficulty performing daily activities

Our rehabilitation may focus on:

Mobility & Transfers
Improve bed mobility, sitting, transfers and movement between surfaces.

Wheelchair Skills
Develop safe and efficient wheelchair mobility and functional skills.

Standing & Walking
Where appropriate, progress standing and walking through individualized, task-specific training.

Strength & Motor Control
Improve available muscle strength, coordination and movement control.

Balance & Trunk Control
Develop the postural control required for sitting, transfers and mobility.

Fitness & Endurance
Improve cardiovascular fitness and physical capacity for everyday activities.

Functional Independence
Practice activities that matter in real life—from self-care to community mobility.

Rehabilitation Based on Your Level of Injury

SCI rehabilitation needs to be highly individualized.

The program may differ according to:

Cervical SCI
Greater emphasis may be placed on upper-limb function, transfers, wheelchair mobility and independence.

Thoracic SCI
Training may focus on trunk control, transfers, standing and mobility according to the individual’s potential.

Lumbar SCI
Rehabilitation may emphasize lower-limb function, gait, balance and functional mobility.

Incomplete SCI
Task-specific training can be directed toward maximizing remaining motor and sensory function.

Our Approach

Assess → Plan → Train → Progress

We first identify the person’s:

• Motor and sensory impairments
• Functional abilities
• Mobility limitations
• Balance and postural control
• Strength and endurance
• Individual goals

The rehabilitation program is then progressively modified according to functional progress.

Who Can Benefit?

Our SCI rehabilitation program can support individuals experiencing:

• Paraplegia
• Tetraplegia
• Incomplete spinal cord injury
• Difficulty with transfers
• Wheelchair mobility limitations
• Reduced sitting or standing balance
• Walking difficulties
• Muscle weakness
• Spasticity
• Reduced endurance
• Loss of functional independence

Long-Term SCI Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation does not necessarily end when you leave the hospital.

Long-term rehabilitation can focus on maintaining and improving physical capacity, mobility, fitness, functional skills and participation while adapting to changing goals and abilities.

Why Choose PSRC?

• Individualized assessment
• One-to-one rehabilitation
• Goal-oriented functional training
• Progressive rehabilitation programs
• Focus on independence and participation
• Evidence-informed clinical practice

Frequently Asked Questions

Can physiotherapy help after spinal cord injury?
Yes. Physiotherapy can address mobility, strength, balance, transfers, walking, fitness and functional independence depending on the individual’s condition.

Can someone walk again after SCI?
Walking recovery varies considerably. It depends on factors including the neurological level and completeness of injury, available motor function and other individual factors.

Can rehabilitation help after several years of SCI?
Yes. Rehabilitation can continue to address fitness, strength, mobility, functional skills and participation even in the chronic stage.

Will every person with SCI follow the same rehabilitation program?
No. Rehabilitation should be individualized according to the level and completeness of injury, impairments, functional abilities and personal goals.