Exercise and Spinal Cord Injury - Beginning Steps

By Anne Asher, About.com Guide

Updated March 28, 2005

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Spasticity - With spinal cord injury, the body has lost control of the orchestration between contraction and relaxation of muscles. This causes much muscle stiffening. The opposite effect, flaccidity, may also be present.

Making a commitment to a sound flexibility routine is necessary to counteract the effects of spasticity. While strength training, avoid too much emphasis on muscle groups that tend to stiffen more. Spending time with the legs extended may also help.

Previous

• Before You Begin Your Exercise Program
• Potential Life Threatening Situations
• Potential non-Life Threatening Situations
• Orthostatic Hypotension - Getting Dizzy
• Body Temprature Fluctuations
• Pressure Sores
• Spasticity - Stiff Muscles
• Caution

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