What To Expect During Rehabilitation From A Spinal Cord Injury
Suffering a spinal cord injury is a life-changing event. After you undergo any necessary surgery and are stabilized at a hospital, the rehabilitation process will begin. In most cases, stable patients who have suffered a spinal cord injury will be transferred to a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center. No one ever expects to suffer a spinal cord injury, so few people know what happens when a spinal cord injury does occur. While spinal cord injury rehabilitation is not easy, knowing what to expect during the process can make things go more smoothly. If you or a loved one has experienced a spinal cord injury, continue reading to learn more about what to expect during rehabilitation.
Wide Variety of Emotions
As you begin spinal cord injury rehabilitation, do not be surprised if you experience a wide variety of emotions. Suddenly not being able to walk or use your body the way that you are used to can take a big toll on how you feel. Some days people may feel grateful to be alive after a spinal cord injury, and the next day they may feel angry at the world and not understand why the injury happened to them. It is okay to be on a roller coaster of emotions, and it is good to express those emotions. It can be very helpful to lean on family and friends for support as you begin the spinal cord injury rehabilitation process.
Rehabilitation Plan
When you enter a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center, you will meet your medical team. Typically, a medical team will consist of a physiatrist, a psychologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a nutritionist, social workers, and nurses. These medical professionals are there to help you through each step of your rehabilitation process. Together, they will put together a customized rehabilitation plan that will outline your goals and your daily activities during your stay.
Daily Rehabilitation
After your rehabilitation plan is put into place, the work involved in the rehabilitation process begins. Most spinal cord injury patients begin with intensive physical therapy to help increase their strength and range of motion. There will also be classes and instructions on changes that you can make so you can continue everyday activities despite your injury. In addition, you will receive a lot of emotional support, therapy, and counseling. The goal of a quality spinal cord injury rehabilitation program is to help a patient learn how to successfully navigate their new life.
Contact a clinic like Florida Pain Center for more information.