What is a spinal cord injury and what is the impact?
According to SpinalCure Australia, “The spinal cord consists of a complex extension of the central nervous system running from the brain to the base of the spine. It acts as a telecommunications system between the brain and the body and independently controls some tasks.
“A damaged or severed spinal cord means the use of limbs below the level of injury is impossible. Damage to the spinal cord at the thoracic or lumbar region (the back) results in “paraplegia” where the client has full use of arms and hands but control of the lower limbs is affected. Damage in the cervical region (a broken neck) results in “quadriplegia” where the person loses control of their arms and hands as well as their legs.
A damaged spinal cord not only means losing control of your muscles, but also deprives you of the sensations of pleasure, touch and pressure, the control of bladder and bowel, and sometimes the ability to breathe unaided. Perversely, those paralysed often suffer constant burning, neuropathic pain in some areas of the body where they otherwise have little or no feeling.”
