Basic Spinal Cord Topography

Any damage to the spinal cord, whether caused by a disease process or by trauma can be catastrophic.

When a spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs or when a disease that affects the spinal cord manifests itself it is imperative that skilled acute care is quickly obtained in order to stabilize the individual. Thereafter, innovative post-acute spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation such as that furnished by NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida is required. NeuLife Rehab’s expertise and its provision of clinically relevant services can assist an individual in attaining the best possible outcome consistent with his or her physical and mental abilities.

Many diseases can have spinal cord implications, including:

• Tumors
• Infections like meningitis and polio
• Inflammatory diseases
• Autoimmune diseases
• Degenerative diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Similarly, many spinal cord injuries (SCI’s) result from:

• Motor vehicle accidents (MVA)
• Traumatic injuries
• Work-related injuries

Whatever the cause of the spinal cord injury (SCI), it is important to understand the complexities of the spinal cord itself. That understanding will allow better participation  in the critical post-acute rehabilitation process by the individual who sustained the catastrophic injury and his or her family. It will also help set expectations for the long-term needs of the individual. While outcomes differ and while full independence may be the ideal, the physical and mental capabilities of an individual after a spinal cord injury (SCI) may result in a supported living or a supported independent living environment.

The spinal cord is one of two structures that constitute the central nervous system; the other is the brain. The brain generates the “commands” for movement and actions to be taken by parts of the body and also receives information from elsewhere in the body. The spinal cord transmits those commands and information. Therefore, the spinal cord may be thought of like the highway that carries data to and from the brain.

Physically, the spinal cord is a bundle of soft nerves that lead from a part of the brain called the brainstem. The bundle of nerves is encased for protection in a bony structure called the spinal column. The spinal cord attached to the brain at the brainstem.  

The spinal column is comprised of stacked bones called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are softer cartilage discs. In the spaces between the discs are small passages through which the nerves of the spinal cord can exit to other parts of the body (such as to an arm to allow its movement).

The vertebrae of the spinal column are named according to location along the length of the spinal cord from top to bottom:

• Cervical vertebrae (1-7) located in the neck;
• Thoracic vertebrae (1-12) located in the upper back;
• Lumbar vertebrae (1-5) located in the low back
• Sacral vertebrae (1-5) located in the hip area
• Coccygeal vertebrae (1-4). These are fused and constitute the “tail bone.”

The spinal nerves are categorized similarly:

• Cervical spinal nerves (C1-C8) control signals to the back of the head, the neck, shoulders, arms, hands and diaphragm;
• Thoracic spinal nerves (T1-T12) control signals to some of the back, the chest muscles and sections of the abdomen;
• Lumbar spinal nerves (L1-L5) control signals to lower parts of the back and abdomen, to the buttocks, parts of the leg and some parts of the genitals;
• Sacral spinal nerves (S1-S5) control signals to the thighs and lower leg, the feet and the area surrounding the anus.

When an individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida, he or she undergoes an independent functional evaluation administered by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that may consist of:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor

From the results of the independent functional evaluation, the professionals of NeuLife Rehab formulate a Client Goal Plan. The Client Goal Plan guides the clinically relevant services delivered by NeuLife Rehab. The Client Goal Plan guides the cognitive, psychiatric, neurologic, psychological and neuropsychological therapy of the Client. The goal of NeuLife Rehab’s innovative post-acute rehabilitation is the attainment for our Clients of independence to the fullest extent that his or her physical and mental abilities permit.

NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida consistently provides the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.