6 replies to this topic

[Cathelena]

I feel positive this question has been asked before, but as i can find no reference thought would give it a go.

Does anyone have any tips on regaining trunk control/some abdominal muscles in complete injuries or if this is even possible?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cathelena

[Iain]

Cathelena, on 31 August 2011 - 05:17 PM, said:

I feel positive this question has been asked before, but as i can find no reference thought would give it a go.

Does anyone have any tips on regaining trunk control/some abdominal muscles in complete injuries or if this is even possible?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cathelena

Hi Cathelena

I'm a T4 complete too. The bottom line has to be that I can no obvious way to regain such control,other than some form of neurostimulator. I wear an abdominal binder, as it helps my breathing, and it is very useful in helping maintain some trunk rigidity which makes movements rather more predictable. Getting used to the much higher centre of balance is the key to posture, and some people find that easier than others - in the same way some people find learning to ride a bike easier.

Iain

[Cathelena]

Iain, on 31 August 2011 - 05:27 PM, said:

Cathelena, on 31 August 2011 - 05:17 PM, said:

I feel positive this question has been asked before, but as i can find no reference thought would give it a go.

Does anyone have any tips on regaining trunk control/some abdominal muscles in complete injuries or if this is even possible?

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Cathelena

Hi Cathelena

I'm a T4 complete too. The bottom line has to be that I can no obvious way to regain such control,other than some form of neurostimulator. I wear an abdominal binder, as it helps my breathing, and it is very useful in helping maintain some trunk rigidity which makes movements rather more predictable. Getting used to the much higher centre of balance is the key to posture, and some people find that easier than others - in the same way some people find learning to ride a bike easier.

Iain

Thanks for the reply Iain,

I wear a binder too. I find this helps a bit, but still find it difficult to maintain any reasonable form of posture. Just more practice i suppose.

Thanks again,

Cathelena

[Vanessamaee]

Im a T3/T4 complete para and for some reason I have extremly good balance. My only problem is when my abs spasm I lose my balance. I no longer wear a binder or anything. When I start losing my balance due to spasms or anything I try to counter it. Im not really sure how to explain it. Im consicous of where my head is (that deals a big part with balance). Im not sure of anyway to help regain trunk control, I met a guy who is a T4/T5 complete para for 4 years now and still has trouble with balance. Like lain said. Its like riding a bike, its easier for some than others... Good luck though! and keep practing with it (: maybe sit on a mat and have someone push you around while your hands are in the air? Make sure to catch yourself though if your going to fall!

[pinkcloud]

hi

i am incomplete and t7/8 so will say from here, at the best side of the injury scale ...that even here its difficult

sitting up is agony, i get spasms in trunk area and abdomen and spill food down me as bending is real hard and not very good..then theres twisting too..again, very limited.

i have worked and worked to get more power...all in vein but glad i do as preserving something, is better than letting go and having nothing. I have seen no improvement since day 1 as it seems that whatever it is that caused nothing to be there....does not
come back no matter how hard i try.

As for physio exercises...none have been invented as far as i know

[edlee]

If you get something back, Cath,, that would be great,,, but a lot of us don't. I'm t9-10,, and obviously have a lot more trunk control than you,, but that isn't sying much. As has been said,, it's a mastering of the art of balance that makes the difference,, and your head does mean a lot,, as do your shoulders..

Like everything else we have to learn,, it takes practice,, and patience.
ed

[Cathelena]

Thank you Vanessamaee, Pink Cloud and Ed for all your replies and advice - greatly appreciated.

Cathelena