Pioneering new methods of rehab for spinal cord injuries

NV Legal attended a fantastic event this week which discussed advances in rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries.

The event which was hosted by Neurokinex showed how it is pioneering new methods of rehabilitation. The results achieved have been outstanding, even where clients have been given a poor prognosis by their consultants.

Neurokinex is the first International NeuroRecovery Community Fitness and Wellness Affiliate of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Advancements in science have enabled the group to increase its understanding of neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to form new neural connections to compensate for injury.

Previously, patients had to travel to the US for this type of treatment. Now those who have suffered spinal cord injuries can be referred by their injury consultant or physiotherapist and are eligible for the NHS referral programme which includes six free hours of activity-based rehabilitation at any of the Neurokinex centres.

Rather than using traditional approaches, Neurokinex says its rehabilitation and wellbeing programmes target the entire nervous and musculoskeletal systems rather than solely focussing on the function areas of the body.

It says: “Our programmes consist of a variety of weight-bearing activities, balance and stand training, gait and locomotor training, electrical stimulation, upper and lower body ergometry, vibration therapy and strength training. We carefully devise task-specific exercises and activities with skilled trainers and specialised rehabilitative equipment. “

According to the World Health Organisation, as many as 500,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury each year. People with spinal cord injuries are two to five times more likely to die prematurely. Males are most at risk of spinal cord injury between the ages of 20-29 years and 70 years and older, while females are most at risk between the ages of 15-19 years and 60 years and older.

Up to 90% of spinal cord injury cases are due to traumatic causes such as road traffic accidents, falls and violence.

Most people with spinal cord injury experience chronic pain, and an estimated 20-30% show clinically significant signs of depression. People with spinal cord injury also risk developing secondary conditions that can be debilitating and even life-threatening, such as deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers and respiratory complications.

Back and spinal injuries can impact significantly on both the injured person and the injured person’s family. Even the simplest daily tasks can become challenging or impossible with the injured person often partly or wholly reliant on the dedicated care of relatives and professionals.

NV Legal is passionate about providing the support, the best medical and rehabilitative care possible and the right level of compensation. We specialise in back and spinal injuries and work on a no-win, no-fee basis for our clients.

For more information on the Neurokinex centres visit www.neurokinex.org or email info@neurokinex.org

For information on compensation for spinal cord injuries contact NV Legal on 03330 112732 or visit our website at www.nvlegal.co.uk