Spinal Cord Injury refers to damage to an area of the spinal cord. They can have a traumatic, or atraumatic cause. Spinal Cord Injuries are classified using the ASIA system, which identifies the motor and sensory impairment associated with the level of injury. They can be complete or incomplete injuries, leading to a wide range of physical presentations.

At Steps, our Spinal Cord Injury clients present with reduced independence with mobility and transfers, muscle weakness and tightness, shoulder pathologies, complex assistive technology and home modification needs.

How we can help:

The therapists at Steps have an expert understanding of your condition and will provide a comprehensive and compassionate assessment of your goals and your needs.

Physiotherapy

• Maintain functional independence
• Transfer training including bed, chair, wheelchair, car and floor transfers
• Maintenance of shoulder health and prevention of injuries in long term wheelchair use
• Functional mobility training
• Prescription of assistive technology
• Spasticity and tone management to maintain flexibility
• Pain management and prevention of chronic injuries
• Sensory retraining
• Set up of aquatic physiotherapy programs to allow you to exercise safely in the water
• Support worker training
• Motor relearning and facilitation to improve your body’s ability to move
• Splinting and orthotics including collaboration with Second Skin and various Orthotists to assist you with your function and daily tasks
• Collaboration with medical specialists
• Provide education about your condition
• Provision of home exercise programs
• Custom made push mitts available through Stitches by Steps

Occupational Therapy

• Upper limb intervention and splinting
• Community access training and assessment
• Assessment and prescription of assistive technology
• Assessment and prescription of adaptive aids and equipment
• Assessment for minor or major home modifications
• Assessment for housing solutions, such as Supported Independent Living (SIL) or Supported Disability
• Accommodation (SDA)
• Functional retraining for everyday activities including personal care, household tasks and cooking
• Identifying level of support worker assistance required
• Facilitating return to work goals
• Assisting with holiday planning
• Fatigue management strategies

Exercise Physiology

• Targeted strength training
• Balance training
• Tailored cardiovascular exercise
• Manual wheelchair skills
• Return to swimming training
• Prescription of a tailored gym program
• Bike and Trike training

Wheelchair and seating

• Power and manual wheelchair prescription
• Complex seating and positioning solutions

Allied Health Assistant

• Support and supervise exercise programs prescribed by treating allied health professionals to increase frequency of therapy
• Support allied health professionals with clients who require multiple therapists’ assistance

At Steps we pride ourselves on working collaboratively with your interdisciplinary team, including neuropsychologists, speech pathologists, orthotist, dietician, recreation specialists, community nurses, neurologists, general practitioners and other allied health or medical staff.