A spinal cord injury changes life in an instant, for the person injured and for their whole family. It affects how the body moves and feels, and it often means learning to do everyday things in new ways. It is a huge adjustment. But with the right rehabilitation and support, many people build active, independent and full lives.
More than 15,000 Australians live with a spinal cord injury, and around 350 to 400 new injuries happen each year. Many are caused by car accidents, falls and sporting injuries.
At Pimpama Physiotherapy, spinal cord injury rehabilitation is part of what we do. We provide SCI physiotherapy at our Pimpama clinic and through home visits across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. We support people through the community phase after hospital, and for the long term, whether the injury is recent or from years ago.
What Is A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?
The spinal cord carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body. A spinal cord injury damages that pathway, so some of those messages no longer get through.
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Injuries can be complete or incomplete. In a complete injury, there is no movement or feeling below the level of injury. In an incomplete injury, some signals still get through, so some movement or feeling remains.
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The level of the injury matters too:
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Tetraplegia (also called quadriplegia): from an injury higher up, in the neck. It can affect the arms, trunk and legs.
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Paraplegia: from an injury lower down, in the back. It usually affects the trunk and legs, with the arms unaffected.
Most spinal cord injuries come from trauma, like a car accident, a fall or a sporting injury. Some come from medical causes, such as a tumour or infection.​​
Common Effects Of A Spinal Cord Injur
The effects depend on the level and completeness of the injury, and they vary from person to person. Physiotherapy focuses on movement and function, but a spinal cord injury can affect many parts of the body.
Common effects include:
Weakness or paralysis below the level of injury.
Changes to bladder, bowel and sexual function.
Changes or loss of sensation.
Breathing changes, especially with higher injuries.
Spasticity, where muscles become tight and stiff.
A higher risk of pressure injuries and pain.
Many of these are managed by the wider team, such as rehabilitation doctors, occupational therapists, continence nurses and others, working alongside your physiotherapist.
How Physiotherapy Helps After A Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is different for everyone. Your goals depend on the level and completeness of your injury, what you could do before, your home and work life and what matters most to you.
The aim is to help you become as strong, mobile and independent as possible. For some people that means walking again with support. For others it means mastering transfers and wheelchair skills, then staying healthy and active for the long run. We are honest about what is realistic, and we set goals with you.
Spinal cord injury care works as a team. We work alongside your rehabilitation specialist, occupational therapist, exercise physiologist and others, so your physiotherapy fits the bigger plan
What Spinal Cord Injury Physiotherapy Can Focus On
After assessing you, we build a program around your goals. It may include:
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Strength and conditioning of the muscles you can use.
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Transfers, like bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to car and floor transfers.
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Walking retraining where it is realistic, using frames, orthoses or other aids.
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Wheelchair skills and shoulder care.
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Spasticity management, including orthoses and bracing such as the Turtle brace.
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Standing programs.
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Functional electrical stimulation (FES).
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Cardiovascular fitness and long-term health.
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Pressure care and skin protection.
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Advice on equipment and home set-up.
Spinal Cord Injury Physiotherapy At Home And In The Clinic
A lot of spinal cord injury rehab is about real life at home, like transferring in your own bathroom, getting in and out of your own bed, moving around your kitchen or getting to your car.
That is why home visits are so valuable. We train in the actual spaces where the skills matter, which often works better than clinic-only sessions. You can also see us at our Pimpama clinic, where there is more space and equipment. Many clients use a mix of both. We cover the northern Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane.
Funding For Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation​
Spinal cord injury rehab is usually long-term, so funding matters. Depending on how your injury happened and your situation, your physiotherapy may be covered through:
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NIISQ: most spinal cord injuries in Queensland from a motor vehicle accident are funded through the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland.
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NDIS: for eligible NDIS participants.
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CTP and private claims: compulsory third party insurance after a motor vehicle accident or private cover.
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WorkCover Queensland: for injuries that happened at work (see WorkCover).
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DVA: for eligible veterans.
If you are a participant of the National Injury Insurance Scheme Queensland (NIISQ), you may be eligible for rehabilitation services under the scheme. Contact us to discuss your situation. Eligibility for any funding pathway depends on your individual circumstances and plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book A Spinal Cord Injury Physiotherapy Assessment In Pimpama Or At Home
If you or a family member is living with a spinal cord injury, we would be glad to help. Book a spinal cord injury physiotherapy assessment at our Pimpama clinic, or request a home visit across the Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane. If you are not sure where to start or what funding applies, get in touch and we will walk you through it.​
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Phone 0432 730 386 or email admin@pimpamaphysio.com.au.