Categories

Link to wheelchair safety gear on sale at United Spinal online store.

Care or Cure?

Yes, I absolutely want to walk again, but I do not have to walk again. [...]

Colonoscopy: Important for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Here’s some detailed information about the importance of colonoscopy in the early detection of colon cancer in persons with SCI.

Pumpkin It Up

| EATING WELL

By Natalia Mendez

Pumpkins pack a nutrient punch, not only in the flesh but also in their seeds and oil.

Pain in the Butt

Five years ago, we lost Christopher Reeve, and it all began with a pressure sore. That should be enough of a wake-up call to anyone susceptible to them, but unfortunately, it’s not. [...]

Independence on Exhibit

United Spinal’s Independence Expos put consumers in touch with products, services and [...]

Fiber and the Neurogenic Bowel: Planning Your “Exit Strategy”

People with spinal cord disorders are likely to have to take extra care of what they eat to keep the digestive system running smoothly.

By Melody Chavez, RD

“Are you having any problems with diarrhea or constipation?” “Have there been any changes in your eating habits?” “How much water are you drinking a day?”

As a dietitian, these are common questions I ask my patients when conducting a nutrition assessment. Discussing what types of foods they consume at each meal helps to determine if they are receiving adequate fiber. The effects of their current fiber intake can impact the consistency of stool [...]

The External Catheter: Embarrassing Secret or Hidden Advantage?

Managing your plumbing with external catheters and leg-bags. This frank discussion by Bob Vogel, T-10 paraplegic and active sportsman may help to keep you [...]

Blueberries: Small but Mighty!

| EATING WELL

By Natalia Mendez

Blueberries are phytonutrient powerhouses.

Research has shown that antioxidants, including the compound anthocyanins present in blueberries, may help protect against heart disease and many forms of cancer by enabling healthy blood flow and preventing blood clots. Anthocyanins can protect our capillaries from damage that could be caused by free radicals. This helps with conditions such as varicose veins, hemorrhoids and edema. Anthocyanins have the ability to protect the collagen in our bodies, such as the collagen that makes up our joints, which is why they’ve shown to be helpful with issues like arthritis and artherosclerosis.

Blueberries are [...]

What You Eat

What you eat- Polio tips and techniques. When our patients eat protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner (and even have small, non-carbohydrate snacks throughout the day) they report an almost immediate reduction in nearly all PPS symptoms, especially fatigue. [...]

NSCIA Helps Launch Mount Sinai SCI Health and Wellness Series

The Mount Sinai Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in New York received a generous grant from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to develop the SCI Health and Wellness Series. Under the supervision of Mary Hibbard, PhD as project director, James Cesario, MA, as Project Coordinator and Alejandra Castro, BS as Research Assistant and in collaboration with NSCIA, a frequent collaborator with United Spinal Association, and a number of its local chapter affiliates, a series of seven web-based videos on was living well and healthy after SCI was created. The entire collection focuses specifically on important issues related to life after SCI: [...]

Wiiiiii!: Adaptive Exercise That’s Actually Fun

Adaptive Exercise That’s Actually Fun! The popular term is “Wii-Hab,” and rehab facilities all across the country are utilizing the Wii to help people with physical disabilities regain strength, mobility, and dexterity again. If they’re doing it, why not do it at home too? [...]

Acupuncture and Spinal Cord Injury

Acupuncture and Spinal Cord Injury. Many swear by it, but acupuncture remains a controversial treatment for any condition, let alone SCI. The author didn’t just research it. She tried it herself. [...]

What Is Caudal Regression Syndrome?

What Is Caudal Regression Syndrome? “There was no learning curve as I tried to educate myself on this rare and little-researched condition. This time, I wasn’t just reading about anonymous patient in a textbook; I was learning about my own newborn baby’s [...]

Eating Well: Different Bites

Natalia Mendez with tips about natural alternatives to harsh pharmaceuticals for common health problems affecting spinal cord injuries. [...]

Stressed

| ASK THE COACH

By “Coach” Scott Chesney

Stressed out much these days? You are not alone, but don’t let that be an excuse to justify letting your stress overwhelm you.

I’ve received many e-mails from people lately telling me that they can’t deal with the stress in their lives. Many have lost their jobs or are on the brink of losing their jobs. Then there are others who are wanting to launch themselves onto the job scene, but they have lost confidence because of the nation’s economic woes.

These financial stresses have a profound effect on our families, relationships, friendships, you [...]

Sleep Apnea and Spinal Cord Injury

Sleep Apnea and SCI covers this common medical problem from a unique SCI perspective in an easy to understand way. [...]

Making Face Time

Connecting from home or getting out there to socialize? “Coach” Scott Chesney lines you up with his thoughts on the new versus the [...]

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: To Tube or Not to Tube

As scary as the idea of a feeding tube may be, having one in place before it’s absolutely needed often improves quality of life.

By Melody Chavez

The word “feeding tube” may be intimidating for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Most people have heard about feeding tubes only through debates in the media, such as the one that raged during the Terri Schiavo case that climaxed in the spring of 2005. Others may see graduating to a feeding tube as “giving in” to this disease. Learning what choices you have regarding this issue, however, will help patients to be proactive in [...]

What’s Your Anniversary?

ASK THE COACH |

By “Coach” Scott Chesney

If you acquired your Spinal Cord Injury, meaning you were not born with paralysis, but rather had an accident, injury, trauma, or some type of illness or disorder that left you paralyzed at any other time besides at birth, what do you do on the anniversary of your SCI?

Now you must really think I have lost it, huh? Seriously, having just passed my 23rd Anniversary of using a wheelchair and talking to many friends and contacts with SCI, I find it interesting to note what people do on their respective anniversaries. [...]

ASK THE COACH: Battle of the B’s

Bowel and bladder control. “Coach” Scott Chesney takes on The Battle of The [...]