When Life Stands Still: The Bodily Effects of Traumatic Injury
We navigate through life, enjoying physical activities like hiking in the woods, walking our dogs, gardening, biking, and generally feeling good. But what if we experience a traumatic event, such as a stroke or spinal cord injury? How will our bodies respond to such events?
According to the American Stroke Association (stroke.org) and the Mayo Clinic (mayoclinic.org), here are some of the conditions that can result from from stroke and spinal cord injuries:
Spasticity. This condition occurs when a muscle can’t complete its full range of motion because the surrounding tendons and soft tissue have become tight. Some people may have soft and limp muscles lacking muscle tone, known as flaccidity.
Lack of Balance. Weakness can affect the coordination of muscles needed to walk safely.
Drop Foot. A person with a Drop Foot cannot raise the front part of the foot because of weakness or paralysis of the muscle that normally lifts it.
Bowel and Bladder Functions. Loss of control happens when muscles that control urine and stool are weakened. Changes in bladder control can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
Numbness. A tingling or loss of feeling in the hands, fingers, feet, or toes.
Emotional Challenges. Irritability, forgetfulness, carelessness, inattention, confusion, fear, frustration, anger, grief, sadness, anxiety, and/or depression
Hemiparesis. Mainly affecting stroke patients, it causes weakness or the inability to move one side of the body, making it hard to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) like eating or dressing.
Lack of Circulatory Control. People with a spinal cord injury may have low blood pressure when they rise, known as orthostatic hypotension. They also may have swelling in the arms and legs. This can increase the risk of developing blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolus.
Sleep Issues. Several issues can occur, such as Insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, and sleep-wake cycle disorders.
What is the next step for most Stroke and Spinal Cord patients?
Most patients seek therapy alongside the use of medical devices. Many of these medical devices facilitate movement, which is proven to address many issues related to immobility. The Quadriciser Therapy System is a notable example, aiding individuals in recovering from traumatic injuries for over 25 years. The Quadriciser combines passive motion with continuous therapy. Unlike conventional Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) machines that target specific joints, it engages the entire body, offering more comprehensive benefits. Its movement patterns mimic natural walking or crawling, making it especially beneficial for those unable to move independently.
The Quadriciser can perform 20 Therapeutic Motions:
- Ankle Dorsiflexion
- Ankle Plantarflexion
- Simulated Walking
- Hip Extension
- Hip Flexion
- Knee Extension
- Knee Flexion
- Trunk Rotation
- Arm Extension/Flexion
- Arm Extension/Flexion Alt Angle
- Active Arm Pressdown
- Shoulder Adduction
- Shoulder Abduction
- Shoulder Flexion
- PNF Patterning
- D2 Flexion Pattern
- D2 Extension Pattern
- Scapular Mobility
- Trunk Stabilization
- Adjusting Arm Tension
For more information, please visit: https://www.quadriciser.com/