{"id":10580,"date":"2024-12-13T16:47:34","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T21:47:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/?page_id=10580"},"modified":"2025-02-17T09:12:20","modified_gmt":"2025-02-17T14:12:20","slug":"overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/overview\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn About Spinal Cord Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hero-container hero-container__hero-small_image\">\n  <div class=\"hero hero-small_image\">\n    <div class=\"hero__title_container\">\n      <h1 class=\"hero__title\">\n                  \n              <\/h1>\n              <nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n\t<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\">Pages<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\n<\/nav>      \n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"hero__image-container\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/sci-rehab-0310-scaled.jpg?ver=1734706856\" alt=\"A person wearing a gray cap and casual sportswear is smiling while sitting on a therapy table. A caregiver in a protective gown stands behind, assisting. A wheelchair is nearby, and medical equipment is visible in the background.\"\/>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>What is a spinal cord injury?<\/h2>\n<p>A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is a crucial bundle of nerves that carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body. The spinal cord runs from the lower part of the brain down through the back, ending near the lower back. It plays a vital role in controlling movement, sensation, and many bodily functions.<\/p>\n<p>Spinal cord injuries can result from direct trauma to the spinal cord itself, such as a blow or compression, or from damage to the bones, tissues, and ligaments surrounding the spinal cord. This damage can disrupt the transmission of signals, leading to changes in sensation, movement, strength, and bodily functions below the level of injury. In some cases, these effects may be temporary, but in others, they can be permanent.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Quick facts about spinal cord injuries<\/h2>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--data-point\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block data-point--multi\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__title-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"data-point__title\">305,000<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<hr\/>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__description-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"data-point__description\">More than 305,000 people in the U.S. are living with traumatic SCIs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"data-point__description-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.uab.edu\/nscisc\/\"  target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNational SCI Statistical Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__title-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"data-point__title\">79%<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<hr\/>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__description-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"data-point__description\">Men experience 79% of new traumatic SCIs, making them more affected than women.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"data-point__description-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.uab.edu\/nscisc\/\"  target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNational SCI Statistical Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__title-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"data-point__title\">69%<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<hr\/>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"data-point__description-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"data-point__description\">The majority of SCIs result from motor vehicle accidents and falls.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"data-point__description-link\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.uab.edu\/nscisc\/\"  target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNational SCI Statistical Center\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>What does the spinal cord do?<\/h2>\n<p>Your spinal cord acts as a \u201csuperhighway\u201d of communication, carrying messages between your brain and body that allow you to move, feel, and respond to the world around you. When an injury occurs, it can interrupt these signals, resulting in temporary or permanent changes to movement, sensation, or both. Here\u2019s how it works and what each part contributes.<\/p>\n<h2>Structure and position<\/h2>\n<p>The spinal cord is housed within the spine, which consists of 33 vertebrae stacked to form your backbone. Within this structure, the spinal cord runs from the base of your brain down to the lower back, typically ending near the first lumbar vertebra. The cord itself is divided into 31 segments, each giving rise to a pair of spinal nerves that reach different areas of the body.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--feature-set idf-block\">\n\t\t<div class=\"feature\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/spine-anatomy-preview.png?ver=1739389669\" alt=\"Diagram of the human spine showing different vertebrae sections: cervical (green, 7 bones), thoracic (orange, 12), lumbar (pink, 5), sacral (purple, 5 fused bones), and coccygeal (blue, 4 fused bones), overlaid on a skeletal silhouette.\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>The vertebae of the spine<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__content-body text-content\"><p>These vertebrae provide protection and support and are organized into five main sections:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cervical (neck):<\/strong> 7 vertebrae<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thoracic (upper and mid-back):<\/strong> 12 vertebrae<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lumbar (lower back):<\/strong> 5 vertebrae<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sacral (pelvic area):<\/strong> 5 fused vertebrae<\/li>\n<li><strong>Coccygeal (tailbone):<\/strong> 3-5 fused vertebrae<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Communication between brain and body<\/h2>\n<p>Each segment of the spinal cord is like a \u201ccommand center\u201d for specific regions of the body, sending and receiving messages through spinal nerves. These nerves carry instructions to muscles for movement and relay sensory information back to the brain.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how each section of spinal nerves functions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cervical nerves (C1-C7):<\/strong> Control movement and sensation in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and diaphragm, playing a critical role in breathing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thoracic nerves (T1-T12):<\/strong> Influence the chest muscles, some back muscles, and various organ systems, contributing to functions like breathing and upper body movement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lumbar nerves (L1-L5):<\/strong> Manage signals to and from the lower abdomen, back, buttocks, parts of the sexual organs, and the legs, supporting activities like walking and balance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sacral nerves (S1-S5):<\/strong> Control signals for the thighs, lower legs, feet, most external sexual organs, and the area around the anus, playing a key role in mobility and bowel and bladder.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--feature-set idf-block\">\n\t\t<div class=\"feature\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/pain-outpatient-pain-institute-0131.jpg\" alt=\"A woman holds a spine model while explaining to a seated man. Another woman sits nearby, taking notes on a clipboard. Shelves with medical charts and posters are in the background.\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3>The impact of injury <\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"feature__content-body text-content\"><p>Damage to any part of the spinal cord can interrupt these signals. The effects depend on the injury\u2019s level and severity, with higher injuries often affecting more areas of the body. Learn more about specific types and levels of spinal cord injury to understand how different parts of the body are impacted. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/types-and-levels\/\">Types &amp; Levels of Spinal Cord  Injuries<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Causes and risks factors of spinal cord injury<\/h2>\n<p>Spinal cord injuries result from a range of traumatic events or medical conditions. Understanding the common causes and risk factors can help in prevention and in recognizing the challenges you may face.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--accordion idf-block accordion\" id=\"accordionFlush2126\">\n            <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n      <h3 class=\"accordion__title\" id=\"flush-heading_2126_1\">\n        <button class=\"accordion__trigger\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#flush-collapse_2126_1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"flush-collapse_2126_1\">\n          What causes a spinal cord injury? <span class=\"sp-before-icon\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n      <\/h3>\n      <\/h2>\n      <div role=\"region\" id=\"flush-collapse_2126_1\" class=\"accordion__content\" aria-labelledby=\"flush-heading_2126_1\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordionFlush2126\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__content-wrap text-content\"><h4>Traumatic injuries<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Motor vehicle accidents<\/li>\n<li>Falls<\/li>\n<li>Acts of violence<\/li>\n<li>Sports injuries<\/li>\n<li>Diving into shallow water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Non-traumatic injuries\/illnesses<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Cancer and tumors<\/li>\n<li>Osteoporosis<\/li>\n<li>Multiple sclerosis and spinal inflammation<\/li>\n<li>Arthritis and spinal stenosis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n                                  <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n      <h3 class=\"accordion__title\" id=\"flush-heading_2126_2\">\n        <button class=\"accordion__trigger\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#flush-collapse_2126_2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"flush-collapse_2126_2\">\n          What are the symptoms of spinal cord injuries? <span class=\"sp-before-icon\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n      <\/h3>\n      <\/h2>\n      <div role=\"region\" id=\"flush-collapse_2126_2\" class=\"accordion__content\" aria-labelledby=\"flush-heading_2126_2\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordionFlush2126\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__content-wrap text-content\"><p>The effects of SCI vary based on the injury\u2019s location and severity. Higher injuries on the spinal cord typically result in greater impairment. Common symptoms include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loss of movement (paralysis)<\/li>\n<li>Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in hands or feet<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty breathing<\/li>\n<li>Loss of bowel and\/or bladder control<\/li>\n<li>Exaggerated reflex actions or spasms<\/li>\n<li>Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity, and fertility<\/li>\n<li>Pain or intense stinging sensation in the head, neck, or back<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n                                  <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--feature-set\">\n\t\t<div class=\"idf-block side-image-feature\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"side-image-feature__media\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/sci-inpatient-cru-0219.jpg?ver=1732657098\" alt=\"A male patient is reclining on a padded therapy table, secured with straps. A female therapist in a \"Shepherd Center\" shirt assists him, smiling. The setting appears to be a rehabilitation facility with exercise equipment visible in the background.\" width=\"2500\" height=\"1667\"\/>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"side-image-feature__copy-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"side-image-feature__copy-wrap__box text-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"side-image-feature__headline--small\">How are spinal cord injuries treated? <\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Early intervention is crucial in improving your recovery after a spinal cord injury. Getting prompt medical care and targeted treatments can help limit further damage and improve your chances of recovery. Your treatment plan may include a combination of emergency care, rehabilitation, medications, surgery, and psychological support, all designed to meet your specific needs and help you regain independence and improve your quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"side-image-feature__links\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/treatment-programs\/\">SCI Treatment at Shepherd<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--cta\">\n  <div class=\"idf-block cta\">\n    <div class=\"cta__container\">\n      <div class=\"cta__description\">\n        <h2 class=\"cta__title\">Guiding you in choosing the right spinal cord injury treatment center <\/h2>\n                  <p class=\"cta__body\">Selecting the right facility for your spinal cord injury rehabilitation is crucial to your recovery. To help you make an informed decision, here is key information to know when considering rehabilitation centers for you or your loved one. <\/p>\n              <\/div>\n      <div class=\"cta_btn_group\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/choosing-rehabilitation-center\/\" class=\"button wp-round-button\" >\n              <span>Choosing a SCI Rehabilitation Center<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n                                                                                <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>What is the outlook for people with spinal cord injuries?<\/h2>\n<p>Your experience with a spinal cord injury is unique, and the effects may evolve as you work through rehabilitation and adjust to life after the injury.<\/p>\n<p>Recovery varies from person to person. As swelling decreases over time, you may regain partial function, especially if your injury is incomplete. In rare cases, improvement can continue for years, though full recovery is uncommon.<\/p>\n<p>While there is no cure for spinal cord injury, research is advancing. Thanks to modern treatments, assistive devices, and specialized rehabilitation programs, you can adapt and overcome the challenges you face, helping you live a fulfilling and meaningful life.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--buttons idf-block\">\n\t<div class=\"is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button link-round_corners\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/after-rehabilitation\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLife After SCI Rehabilitation\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-button link-round_corners\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.myshepherdconnection.org\/sci\"  target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLiving with Spinal Cord Injury\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--link-block idf-block\">\n\t<div class=\"link-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"link-block__label\">Continue Exploring<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/types-and-levels\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTypes &amp; Levels of Spinal Cord  Injuries\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/choosing-rehabilitation-center\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tChoosing a SCI Rehabilitation Center\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/treatment-programs\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSCI Treatment Programs\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/after-rehabilitation\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter SCI Rehabilitation\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a spinal cord injury? Find answers about spinal cord injury and paralysis recovery now at Shepherd Center.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":0,"parent":9159,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":true,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-10580","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Learn About Spinal Cord Injuries | Shepherd Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What is a spinal cord injury? Find answers about spinal cord injury and paralysis recovery now at Shepherd Center.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/conditions\/spinal-cord-injury\/overview\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Learn About Spinal Cord Injuries\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What is a spinal cord injury? 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