A spinal cord injury can feel like it divides your life into distinct sections of before and after the injury. Dealing with the effects of a traumatic injury is a difficult experience for you and your loved ones. It can also have a significant impact on your health.
Everyone has a different experience after a spinal cord injury and adjusting to this new reality can take time. However, it is still of the utmost importance to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.
Your physical health
There are various physical therapy programs that offer significant help and support with risks after a spinal cord injury. Many of them focus on exercise to sustain physical health, emphasizing the importance of:
- Cardiovascular workouts
- Strengthening exercises
- Flexibility practice
There have been considerable strides in the physical therapy field to aid those with spinal cord injuries. However, it is common for people to lose hope in how effective exercise programs might be because of the barriers they may face.
There is no doubting the difficulty of physical recovery. It is true that some people might go through years of physical therapy only to regain minimal movement. These challenges can seriously impact your emotional health as well as your physical health.
The emotional impacts
It is not uncommon to go through stages of grief after a spinal cord injury. Anger and depression can be frequent and persistent emotions, in both the short term and the long run.
That is not to say that everyone will face challenges with their emotional or mental health. Even so, taking care of your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. Your mind and body share a connection, and your emotions can have a surprising effect on your physical health, and vice versa.
Be patient with yourself
The physical trauma and emotional impact of a spinal cord injury can be difficult to deal with. The new reality you face is a significant change from before, and any life change can be a source of anxiety that can impact your health.
The key is to be patient with yourself. Your health is very important, but it takes time to adjust to this new reality. It is important to remember that there are various resources available to better understand and take care of yourself after a spinal cord injury.