Spinal cord injury support and services

Resources to help people recovering from a spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury can change how your body interacts with the world, but it doesn’t need to get in the way of a full and meaningful life. People with spinal cord injuries accomplish amazing things every day. And we believe that with the right support, you can too.

A woman with a spinal cord injury uses parallel bars while her physical therapist looks on.

Guides to help in your recovery

Having the right support is vital when you’re dealing with health challenges. Your care team and loved ones play an important role. There are also many resources to help guide you through recovery for a spinal cord injury.

Ways to find connection and purpose

Whether it’s reaching out for support from others who have been through it or getting out and having fun, there are things you can do to feel connected and help you stay positive.

Tips and tools for emotional well-being and mental health

Having a spinal cord injury can bring changes in emotions, behavior and self-image. Think about how you have successfully dealt with difficult situations in the past. Knowing what works best for you, and what does not, can help you gain strength and courage as you recover.

Fitness and exercise after a spinal cord injury

Getting regular exercise after a spinal cord injury plays a large role in physical, mental and emotional health. Physical activity improves muscle mass and circulation, and reduces the likelihood or severity of secondary medical conditions that are more common after a spinal cord injury, such as pressure sores, respiratory dysfunction, osteoporosis and urinary tract infections. Physical activity also helps improve overall well-being, boosts self-esteem and increases independence.

Current exercise guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity and 2-3 days of resistance training per week for maximum benefit.

You may need to change how you approach exercise and fitness after a spinal cord injury . Adaptive fitness programs are designed to support the unique needs and goals of individuals, regardless of their physical conditioning or abilities. Adaptive fitness programs can help establish routine physical activity as part of your overall plan of care. Talk to your rehab team if you have questions about how to get started.

Working toward independence and top performance

It’s possible to live a full and independent life after a spinal cord injury. Making changes such as using mobility devices and adaptive tools can help you remain active, safe and productive.

Managing changes to your health

A spinal cord injury can cause changes to your health and make it more likely that you’ll develop other health conditions. It’s important to pay attention to your body and take steps to control your symptoms and prevent more serious illness.

Spinal cord injury clinical trials

A clinical trial is the way that researchers test whether a medical treatment could be a helpful option for a certain group of people – for example, those who’ve experienced a traumatic spinal cord injury.

In recent years, there have been significant developments in treatments for spinal cord injuries because of research. You can learn more about spinal cord injury research in a free downloadable book titled, “Don’t call it a miracle: The movement to cure spinal cord injury.”

If you’re interested in participating in a research study, talk to your care team, call 651-495-6262 or email ClinicalTrials@healthpartners.com.

A caregiver takes time to do yoga with a friend.

Support for caregivers

Being a caregiver for someone with a spinal cord injury is important and rewarding, but it can also be challenging and time consuming. It’s important for caregivers to take care of their physical and mental health, too. Resources are available that can help.

More spinal cord injury resources

Here’s additional information to help after a spinal cord injury from local and national organizations.