Spinal Cord Injury

Why do you need a neuro-respiratory physiotherapist if you have a spinal injury?

For anyone with a spinal cord injury, it’s very common to also experience respiratory complications. This is because a spinal cord injury often results in respiratory muscle weakness. A spinal injury can put strain on the chest wall, rib cage, abdominal muscles and diaphragm, which ultimately impacts breathing. Depending on which part of the spine is damaged, be it the neck, middle or lower back, this determines how breathing is compromised.