When you suffer a traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), not only are your muscles affected but your nerves are as well. Therefore, physical therapy (PT) alone will not cure paralysis, as it cannot regenerate nerves. However there are good reasons why Fairfax doctors prescribe PT and why—although it may be expensive—physical therapy is definitely worth the cost to help reverse the effects for SCI victims.
When your body is unable to move, your muscles and bones have an increased chance of injury and harm. Physical therapy helps fight against these risks by exercising the limbs and strengthening the muscles. This way, if and when your nerve function improves, you’ll have the physical strength to move your body.
Without physical therapy, you run the risk of:
- Osteoporosis
- Bedsores and Pressure Sores
- Bone Fractures
- Muscle Degeneration and Loss (Atrophy)
In order to prevent these issues, physical therapy is recommended for spinal cord injury victims at least three times a week for best results. Within these sessions, therapists will encourage your muscles to react to stimuli (electrical or hot and cold), weight, and external movement. This allows the muscles to retain elasticity and prevent atrophy. It also allows your bones to remain strong and able to bear weight, thus reducing the dangers of osteoporosis and fractures.
The benefits of physical therapy greatly outnumber the cost. However, the Fairfax spinal cord injury lawyers at Shevlin Smith know how difficult it is to pay for treatment, especially if you’re unable to work. That is why we offer free consultations to provide you with legal options for care and treatment of your injury. Stop putting your recovery second to your finances. Give us a call at 703-721-4233 for more information and peace of mind.