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As you can tell from the title, these aren’t necessarily home remedies we will be talking about, although some of the things on our list you can perform at home. The focus is on natural remedies and therapies – things that don’t involve taking prescription or over-the-counter medications. Of course, if your doctor recommends certain medications during your recovery, there is nothing wrong with taking those. This form of care can work in harmony with natural recovery methods. Let’s take a closer look at some natural SCI recovery therapies. We will conclude by discussing the importance of activity-based therapy.
Massage therapy can help improve blood circulation. Since your blood is responsible for carrying essential nutrients through the body, it makes sense that this plays a vital role in healing. Another way that circulation promotes healing is by carrying oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, stress can harm healing and inflammation in the body. Therefore, it makes sense that studies back up the efficacy of massage therapy for spinal cord injury recovery.
We just mentioned the importance of the blood bringing nutrients throughout your body for healing purposes. Well, your diet is how those nutrients get into your body in the first place. A healthy diet is a must when recovering from trauma. We’ve recently made some dietary suggestions in our blog regarding a proper diet for SCI recovery. Remember to always talk your dietary changes over with a doctor, nutritionist, or another medical professional.
Stretching and meditation work hand in hand to relieve stress, improve blood flow, and put you in a better overall mood. More intensive stretch routines, such as Pilates, may even strengthen your muscles while enhancing your range of motion. Combining improved flexibility with a positive mindset can help you to be up to the challenges of both the physical and mental recovery from trauma.
When most people see acupuncture therapy, their first thought is, “You’re not getting those needles near me!” But one of the significant benefits of acupuncture is its ability to stimulate the nervous system. When an injury severs connections in the nervous system, you need to keep communication in the rest of the body flowing as well as possible.
Additionally, acupuncture may be able to reduce chronic pain, boost mood, and improve circulation. These are all vital goals when it comes to spinal cord recovery. Therefore, you may decide that this traditional form of Chinese medicine is for you. While it won’t replace your physical therapy, healthy diet, and other forms of care, it may provide an excellent supplement to your recovery program.
Like some of the other suggestions on our list, this once again has to do with increasing oxygen levels. Since oxygen is the fuel cells need for activity, it makes sense that increased oxygen can assist the healing process. Some of the suggested benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for SCI survivors include reducing inflammation, promoting new tissue growth, and increasing the production of enzymes that act as antioxidants. You can read more here about research on the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for SCI.
You may not think of chiropractic care when it comes to SCI recovery. After all, it seems that a doctor bending and twisting the spine would do more harm than good after such an injury. However, not all chiropractic adjustments involve such forceful movements. A chiropractor can work along with the rest of your medical team to determine how to safely manipulate the neck or back to reduce pain and enhance circulation. Obviously, you will need time to heal before you can start this form of care. However, once your spine stabilizes following the injury, this could be a potentially beneficial therapy.
Physical therapy is going to be your number one natural recovery option. From strength-building exercises to range of motion exercises to stretching, this traditional form of care is still one of the most effective. Activity-based therapy is emerging as an effective way to modernize the physical treatment of SCIs, enhancing the benefits.
One example of activity-based therapy is the use of a functional electrical stimulation bike. That device can allow you to pedal a stationary cycle or hand cycle, even using paralyzed muscles. It works by using electrical impulses to stimulate the muscles at the right moments to help your body use the bike.
Another example would be an unweighing treadmill like Lokomat. Lokomat therapy involves using a harness to hold your body weight while an exoskeleton helps you walk on a treadmill with a natural gait. These activity-based therapies allow for exercise that would otherwise be impossible. They may even boost neuroplasticity, allowing the body to rewire. As a result, some patients can have some degree of function restored.
At iAM ABLE in Miami, we specialize in SCI recovery using physical therapy and activity-based therapy, in particular. We also help to prepare SCI survivors for the challenges of the recovery journey. We do this through our eBook: 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis. You can download this publication today and start reading it to get yourself mentally prepared for the challenges and successes of your recovery journey.
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