1. Look Into Complementary Therapies
Aside from physical therapy, which can help with rehabilitation and muscle strength, doctors may recommend patients suffering from quadriplegia undergo a series of additional treatments. With ongoing help from different modalities, patients can look forward to a better quality of life and more independence from caregivers and family members, even in cases where recovery is not possible. A clear example of this is occupational therapy, in which patients are re-taught how to perform everyday activities, including eating, getting dressed and caring for basic hygiene. Speech therapy can also be important especially in those people who suffered a high spinal injury that affected their capacities to breathe properly.
2. Take Care of More Than the Body
Patients with quadriplegia can suffer from depression and low self-esteem. The same is true of their loved ones, who must deal with the day-to-day consequences of the disease. A therapist can help not only the patient, but also those around him, deal with depression and mood changes. Psychologists may recommend a combination of individual and group therapy in order to achieve the best results. Aside from therapy, patients can protect their mental health by becoming active in the community, volunteering in related charities or participating in group therapy.
3. Know What to Expect
While many people worry about physical therapy and surgeries, few think until much later about the little daily inconveniences that come with quadriplegia. A clear example is skin care, as pressure sores are pretty common in quadriplegic patients unless they are constantly moved and repositioned by their caregivers. Finding ways to deal with incontinence, eye paralysis and other problems can also help improve quality of life considerably. For those who don't have a clear support system, the National Spinal Cord Injury Association or similar organizations can help them find support groups nearby or online.
