Recovering from a spinal cord injury is one of the toughest processes that a person can go through. Both physical and mental issues will arise, which makes it incredibly important that individuals understand their options. The following list includes six steps for a healthy recovery process after going through a spinal injury.
Vitamins for Bone Health
Spinal injuries are often more prevalent within older individuals. It’s because as we age, our bones decrease in strength. Individuals might also have osteoporosis, which increases the risk of a fracture. Although there have been studies on various types of vitamins and their effects on bone health, only calcium and vitamin D have actually shown positive results. Although these are the primary vitamins that are recommended to increase bone strength, you must also look into common deficiencies such as a deficiency of vitamin B. It’s recommended that you always consult with your physician.
Mental Support
When a person goes through a traumatic experience, such as a spinal injury, pain, and financial hardship isn't the only thing that they have to deal with. Often times, these types of injuries may cause mental deterioration and can often lead to depression. This is why it is so important to consult with a support group. These may be either professional support such as a physiatrist or simply joining up with people who've gone through this experience. Speaking with these types of people will allow you to better cope with your injury and have someone to reach out during those dark moments.
Sleeping Comfortable
How to sleep comfortably after a spinal injury is one of the most common concerns for people. Concerns over sleeping positions, whether or not you should time how long you're in that position and many more questions tend to be asked. The best route to take is to keep it simple. This means wearing comfortable clothing to bed and applying heat to your back in order to increase blood flow, which can then decrease any pain. As for a sleeping position, medical experts suggest elevating your back by either using an adjustable bed or simply putting pillows behind your back to support you.
Hydrotherapy
It's been shown that hydrotherapy can help with various injuries, including spinal. So, what exactly is hydrotherapy? Hydrotherapy is essentially the use of water physical therapy to help strengthen muscle and alleviate pain often by walking in water or swimming. These sessions are performed not in a class setting but on a one-on-one basis with a professional. In addition, hydrotherapy sessions may only last 30 minutes, making it ideal for those choosing to work during their recovery period. Most patients who experience a spinal injury tend to have a sedentary lifestyle and thus will react negatively to a land-based activity. Therefore, in order to promote an activity that isn't only different and fun but also is more likely to be followed by people, hydrotherapy was introduced.
Occupational Therapy
Depending on the severity of your injury, you might have to attend occupational therapy. Occupational therapy is used to help a person perform various daily tasks such as brushing their own hair, cleaning their teeth, and going to the restroom. Although every type of therapy style is meant to improve the person's condition, unfortunately, some people tend to skip these therapies. The great thing about occupational therapy is that it provides a clear-cut reason for the work. These sessions are used to help a person do things that are simply unavoidable, and therefore participation is high.
A Healthy Diet
What you eat matters. This may be said a million times over but only because it's the truth. Although taking vitamins is a great way to get the exact dose you need, eating the right foods should not be overlooked as well. A spinal injury isn't only going to cause issues on your mobility but also on other areas of your body such as your skin and digestion. This is why it is incredibly important to choose the right type of foods to eat during your recovery time. To remove toxins from inside of you, it is best to consume berries and dark leafy greens. If you want to learn more about the foods you should consume, it is best to consult a nutritionist for a more detailed plan.
Spinal injuries can be a very difficult time in a person's life. Therefore, it is incredibly important to make sure that you are doing everything possible in order to speed up the recovery and stay healthy at the same time. Although everyone's body is different, the six steps listed above are a great place to start. As with any medical issue, you must always consult with your doctor before attempting any of the steps listed above.