A multitude of bodily functions can be disrupted due to spinal injuries. The spinal cord is the body’s switchboard that sends important signals to our muscles from the brain. The majority of spinal cord injuries are related to vehicular accidents, falls, gunshots, diving accidents, and disease (polio, spina bifida). Some common illnesses or complaints of people with spinal cord injury experience include deep vein thrombosis, low blood pressure, and bed sores. There are different kinds of support products designed for treating these ailments and providing comfort to the spine.
Ailments of Spinal Injuries
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body. When blood thickens and clumps together, blood clots occur with most DVT’s forming in the lower leg or thigh. DVT leads to pulmonary embolism or PE. This is when a blood clot in a deep vein breaks off and travels through the bloodstream. The loose clot is called an embolus and when it travels to the lungs and blocks the flood flow it’s known as PE. This is a very serious condition that can damage the lungs and other organs in the body and cause death.
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, occurs when blood pressure during and after each heartbeat is much lower than usual. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. Symptoms of low blood pressure include dizziness, confusion, fainting, sleepiness, weakness, blurry vision and light-headedness.
Bed sores, also called pressures sores, are injuries to skin and underlying tissues that results from prolonged pressure on the skin. Developing most often on the heels, ankles, hips, or buttocks bedsores appear around bony areas of the body. Bedsores can develop quickly and can be hard to treat. People most at risk of bedsores are those with medical conditions that limit their ability to change positions. People confined to a wheel chair or bed ridden.
Support Products used to Treat Aliments of Spinal Cord Injuries
A leg wedge pillow can be used to elevate the legs and increases blood circulation, providing therapeutic relief from lower back pain, leg cramps, muscle spasms, and varicose vein conditions. Wedges made from memory foam permit air flow for ventilation and comfort and react to a person boy temperature by custom molding to one’s body shape, readjusting as they move and increasing weight distribution for maximum support and comfort.
U-shaped pillows are designed to wrap around the back of the neck and provide support for the head, neck and back during travel. Using a U-shaped pillow will relax the neck and back muscles while on long trips or plan rides. They help align the head, neck and spine to improve posture and spinal health. Popular fillers for U-shaped travel pillows include buckwheat and memory foam. Both materials are favorites among chiropractors because of the customized cradle they form to your neck and head.
For comprehensive support, the Berkie System is a five piece set offering support for the back, neck and legs. It was developed by an orthopedic surgeon to provide comfort and flexibility in elevation, posture, neck, back and lumbar support. The patented Berkie System deploys high grade polyurethane and temperature sensitive memory foam in a polyester shell, all contained in a washable microfiber cover.