3 Tips for Taking Care of a Loved One With a Spinal Cord Injury
Published in Personal Injury on March 3, 2023
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Extending up from your pelvis to the nape of your neck, your spinal cord is one of the most important parts of your body. Controlling essential motor functions in both your back and neck, experiencing an injury to your spinal cord can lead to permanent or temporary paralysis. Tragically, the most common cause of damage to the spinal cord is a motor vehicle accident.
Experiencing limited motor skills as a direct result of a spinal injury can take a real toll on your life and the people who love you and care for you. It can also be a real financial burden as medical bills, rehabilitative therapy bills, and lost wages add up. If your injury is the result of an accident due to another’s recklessness, you are owed damages. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim to begin receiving compensation for your injuries and get the justice you deserve.
3 Tips for Taking Care of a Loved One With a Spinal Cord Injury
No matter the cause, many spinal cord injuries can take a while to heal. While your loved one is recovering, there are many things you can do to help expedite the process and ensure they are comfortable. Three tips to keep in mind for your loved one while caretaking include:
Maintain a Healthy Diet
As your body rebuilds and recovers, you must supplement your energy with whole, healthy foods. Food high in protein can help with muscle support and maintaining and building muscle tissue. Dark, leafy greens contain antioxidants and vitamins that lend themselves to the recovery process.
If the person you are helping take care of finds they have a loss of appetite, try fitting some high-fat items like peanut butter into a blender with some spinach or kale. Smoothies are a great way to get down healthy foods when you don’t have a big appetite or when your injury makes eating uncomfortable.
Regular Exercise
Depending on the severity of their injury and how far along they are in the healing process, regular exercise helps rebuild the muscles around the spinal cord and expedite the healing process. It’s best to speak with a medical doctor before participating in any active stretches or physical activity.
If they are in rehabilitative therapy, their therapist may also have suggested an at-home routine for you to practice with them. With regular exercise, you can increase blood flow and circulation around the spinal cord, which will help reduce swelling.
Regular Check-Ups
Devoting time to your injured friend or family member is a great way to show you care and help someone in need. It’s imperative you give yourself a break here and there while also benefiting their health. You can do so by helping them schedule regular checkups with doctors, therapists, and other friends and family members.
Spinal cord injuries can take a long time to heal, and it can begin to feel overwhelming and exhausting. Keeping a positive spirit and filling up the time with loved ones and family is a great way to get through it.
Injured Your Spine in an Accident? See How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Today
Being injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence can leave you buried in an endless pile of bills, new responsibilities, and paperwork. Take some pressure off your shoulders today by calling Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers. Our team has helped recover millions of dollars for our clients and would love to do the same for you. J. Tucker Merrigan, managing partner, has practiced personal injury law for over ten years and has been rewarded as a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Attorney by National Trial Lawyers.
Sometimes compensation is the only way to start anew. To begin the process today, schedule a free consultation through our contact form or by calling 617-391-9001.