Spinal injuries may cause a loss of motor function, and a loss of sensation below the point of the injury. The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability stresses the importance of exercise for spinal injury rehabilitation, but warns that the therapeutic process may require a special type of exercise equipment, designed to accommodate the patient's limited motor function.
Identification
The spine has 30 segments, which include eight cervical, 12 thoracic, five lumbar and five sacral vertebrae. The National Center for Physical Activity and Disability advises that the fifth through seventh cervical vertebrae, fourth through seventh thoracic vertebrae and tenth thoracic through the second lumbar vertebrae are most vulnerable to injury. Spinal injuries affect the functionality of the surrounding muscle groups, which require strengthening with exercise equipment.
Effects
The effect of the injury depends on its type and location, according to the SpineUniverse.com website. In a complete spinal injury, there is no function, sensation or voluntary movement below the site of the injury. Complete spinal injuries affect both sides of the body. A person with an incomplete spinal injury maintains some functionality below the injury site. One side of the body may be more functional. Cervical injuries affect the head, neck, diaphragm, wrist, deltoids, biceps, triceps and hands. Thoracic injuries affect the chest and abdominal muscles. Lumbar injuries affect the leg muscles. Sacral injuries may affect the toes, and parts of the leg. The injury site, and the subsequent effects of the injury, determines the type of exercise equipment used in the rehabilitation process.
Considerations
A person with a lumbar spinal injury may not be able to use traditional exercise equipment for his leg muscles, but he can use the Quadriciser, a machine that simulates the movement patterns used in walking. Patients use this type of equipment from a seated or supine position, so they can work their leg muscles without bearing weight. People who have injured their fourth and/or fifth cervical vertebrae may be able to use elastic resistance bands for upper body exercise, explains Phil Klebine, in an article in the "Pushin' On Newsletter." People who have injured their sixth, seventh and/or eighth cervical vertebrae may use traditional gym equipment, but if the nerve damage has spread to their hands, they may feel more comfortable wearing special, ergonomic exercise gloves.
Types
Numerous manufacturers design equipment for people with spinal injuries. Some physical therapy centers, such as Sci-Fit in Pleasanton, California, combine therapeutic with traditional equipment. The therapist may have her patient lie face-up on a Total Gym machine, as she manually bends and extends her client's legs. Functional electrical stimulation machines allow the patient to pedal in a bicycling motion, while surface electrolodes, placed on the hamstrings, gluteal muscles and quadriceps stimulate the muscle groups. This type of equipment prevents muscular atrophy, increases range of motion and relaxes muscle spasms. The Giger MD facilitates leg and upper body cycling movements from a supine position, increasing circulation and providing moderate aerobic exercise. Physical therapists at the Moorong Spinal Unit at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Sydney use the wheelchair as a form of exercise equipment for patients with spinal injuries. The therapist positions the chair at the bottom of an inclined ramp, and has the patient pedal up the ramp in a forward and backward position.
Warning
The Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury website details some of the side effects of spinal cord injury, and how they may affect your equipment workout. Insufficient blood return to the legs may cause a lower blood pressure during and after exercise, but support hose can prevent this problem. Some thoracic spinal injuries impair the patient's ability to elevate her pulse during aerobic exercise. Use the perceived exertion method, which rates the exertion level on a 1 to 10 scale. A rating of 10 represents a maximal effort. An effort of three to four is safe for people with spinal injuries.
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