What is Physical Therapy (PT)?

PT helps your child safely move their body.

How Can Physical Therapy Help After a SCI?

PT may work with your child to:

• Build muscle strength.
• Balance their body while sitting or standing.
• Move by crawling, scooting, walking, or moving themselves in a wheelchair.
• Move up and down stairs or ramps.
• Practice moving in and out of beds, showers, wheelchair or other pieces of medical equipment and getting in and out of their home. This is called transfers training.
• Improve their ability to play and do the activities they enjoy.

How Will My Child Move After a SCI?

How your child moves will change after a SCI. Your PT will help your child move safely and do as much as they can on their own at home, school, and in the community.

What Equipment Can My Child Use to Help Them Move Better After a SCI?

Your PT may suggest equipment to help your child move more safely and on their own. They may also recommend changes to your home and car to help your child use some of the equipment below more easily. Some examples include:

• Wheelchair
• Stander
• Gait trainer: this will help give more support to your child when they walk
• Walker
• Car seat
• Medical bed
• Mechanical Lift

To Learn More, Review this Resource:

SCIRE Community (Spinal Cord Injury Research Evidence)