In this blog, we will explore the intricate relationship between the spinal cord and the brain and discuss how a spinal cord injury can influence brain function and overall health. Understanding this connection is crucial for both patients and healthcare professionals working towards rehabilitation and recovery.
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury is a traumatic or non-traumatic injury to the spinal cord. It is a condition that occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves and tissue that runs down the vertebral column (backbone) and plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries can result from various causes, including trauma, such as car accidents, falls, or sports injuries, as well as medical conditions like tumours or infections.
The extent and effects of a spinal cord injury depend on the location and severity of the damage. It can lead to a wide range of physical, sensory, and functional impairments, including paralysis, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and disruptions in bodily functions such as breathing, bladder and bowel control.
Spinal Cord Injuries are classified into two main categories:
Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This means that the individual has no sensation or voluntary movement in the affected areas.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Some sensory and motor function remains below the level of the injury. The degree of impairment can vary widely, and individuals may retain some sensation or limited movement in certain parts of their body.
Spinal cord injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and the effects can be permanent. Rehabilitation, medical management, assistive devices, and therapies are often used to help individuals regain function and adapt to their new circumstances. The level of recovery and the long-term outlook for individuals depend on many factors, including the severity of the injury and the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation.
How does a Spinal Cord Injury affect the body?
A spinal cord injury can have a profound and complex impact on the body, leading to a range of physical, sensory, and functional changes. The extent and nature of these effects depend on several factors, including the location and severity of the injury.
- Paralysis
One of the most significant and well-known effects in paralysis. The injury can result in the loss of voluntary muscle and control and movement below the level of the injury.
Paralysis can be categorised as:
Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia): When the injury occurs in the cervical (neck) region of the spine, it can affect both the arms and legs.
Paraplegia: When the injury occurs in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spine, it typically affects the legs and lower parts of the body while leaving the upper body intact.
- Loss of Sensation
Spinal cord injuries often lead to a loss of sensation below the level of injury. Individuals may experience numbness or reduced sensitivity to touch, temperature, and pain.
- Muscle Weakness
Muscles below the level of the injury can weaken due to the loss of neural input from the spinal cord. This weakness can make tasks like walking, standing, or moving limbs difficult or impossible.
- Impaired Mobility
Many individuals with spinal cord injuries require mobility aids such as wheelchairs or braces to assist with moving around. Some may regain partial mobility with rehabilitation and specialised equipment.
- Loss of Bowel and Bladder Control
The ability to control bowel and bladder function can be affected, leading to incontinence or the need for catheterisation.
- Respiratory Complications
Depending on the level of the injury, respiratory function may be impaired. Individuals with high cervical injuries may require ventilatory support.
- Blood Pressure Regulation
Some people with spinal cord injuries may have difficulty regulating blood pressure and may experience episodes of low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) when changing position.
- Autonomic Dysfunction
Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, leading to issues like temperature regulation, blood pressure control, and sweating.
- Secondary Complications
Individuals with spinal cord injuries are at risk of secondary complications such as pressure sores (bedsores), muscle spasms, contractures, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections.
- Psychological and Emotional Impact
Coping with the physical changes and challenges associated with spinal cord injuries can lead to emotional and psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and changes in self-esteem.
The Spinal Cord-Brain Connection:
To comprehend how a spinal cord injury can affect the brain, it’s essential to first understand the intricate connection between these two crucial components of the central nervous system.
The spinal cord serves as a communication highway between the brain and the rest of the body. It carries sensory information from the body to the brain and motor commands from the brain to the muscles and organs. This bidirectional flow of information is essential for movement, sensation, and various bodily functions.
How does a Spinal Cord Injury affect the brain?
Sensory Disruption: When a spinal cord injury occurs, the brain receives distorted or limited sensory information from the affected body parts. This can lead to altered perceptions, such as numbness or hypersensitivity in the injured area.
Motor Impairments: The brain’s ability to control muscles below the level of the injury is compromised. This results in paralysis or weakness in affected limbs or muscle groups.
Altered Reflexes: Spinal reflexes are controlled by neural circuits within the spinal cord. An SCI can disrupt these reflexes, affecting the brain’s ability to respond to sensory stimuli.
Long-Term Effects on Brain Health:
While the immediate effects of an SCI are significant, it’s essential to consider the long-term impact on brain health:
Neuroplasticity: The brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and rewire itself through a process known as neuroplasticity. After an SCI, the brain may reorganize its neural pathways to compensate for lost functions. This can result in the brain taking on new roles to support motor or sensory functions.
Cognitive and Emotional Changes: Some individuals with SCIs may experience cognitive and emotional changes. These can be due to factors such as chronic pain, medication side effects, or the psychological impact of the injury itself. It’s crucial to address these issues through therapy and support.
Secondary Health Concerns: Spinal cord injuries can lead to secondary health issues, such as pressure sores, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular complications. These can indirectly affect brain function and overall well-being.
Rehabilitation and recovery
We know that a spinal cord injury can have a huge impact on not just the person with the injury, but also their family. We are experienced in supporting people and their families no matter how the condition occurred, whether it is caused by a sudden incident, or injury like a road traffic accident, or a sports related injury, or from a disease such as Spina Bifida, Transverse Myelitis, Friedreich’s Ataxia, Polio or Multiple Sclerosis.
The treatment will be tailored to suit the individual needs and circumstances of the patient and have opportunities to treat the patient in the comfort of their own home or at our clinic in Nelson.
Physiotherapy for people with a complete spinal cord injury will focus on maintaining comfort, postural management and maintaining joint range of movement. As well as maximising function, independence and quality of life.
Physiotherapy for people with an incomplete spinal cord injury will focus on intense rehabilitation to improve strength, range of movement, postural management and function.
We can also support and work with partners, families and carers to provide Moving and Handling Training. We can assist in the best practice transfer techniques in a safe and comfortable way, whilst maintaining their dignity; promoting independence and minimising discomfort.
Next steps
Now that we’ve identified ‘How does a spinal cord injury affect the brain?’ We can start by planning the next steps. We understand that the prospect of treatment can be daunting. To help make your experience as comfortable and as stress-free as possible, our team of therapists will work with you to create a bespoke therapy plan. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with our friendly team.