As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, the Board of the United Spinal Association’s Northeast Ohio Chapter would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our chapter members. We’re thankful to celebrate another year of building our chapter’s membership and support for the SCI community in Northeast Ohio. SCI Forum Recap In September, we attended MetroHealth’s...Continue Reading

Summer 2024 Chapter Update Our chapter has been busy this summer! Thank you to our chapter members who joined us at the Car Show and Cook out in June, and to those who participated in our 2024 Community Event Ticket Program. If you haven’t had the chance to join one of our events yet this...Continue Reading

Let’s talk Mental Health!  Mental Health awareness is about recognizing the impact of trauma on overall wellbeing.  Did you know that studies have found spinal cord injury (SCI)  increases the risk of mental health disorders?  You are truly not alone if you struggle with a mental health disorder. It’s okay not to be okay! Depression...Continue Reading

Healthy living is a comprehensive approach to well-being that embodies various aspects of mental, emotional, and physical health. It can involve a range of practices beyond diet and exercise. Allowing yourself to explore alternative therapies can assist with pain management, stress, and overall body balance. Here are a few alternative methods for you to try. Continue Reading

Peristalsis is the involuntary muscular contraction that moves digested food through the intestines.  Spinal cord injury (SCI) changes your peristalsis.  Instead of food passing through the body every 18-24 hours after eating a meal, for those with spinal cord injury it can be up to twice as long. Regular bowel movements are essential to remove...Continue Reading

By: Ashley Callaway We all understand that physicians and medicine have the capability to save lives, but did you know that physical therapists are the people who give patients back their livelihood? The profession plays an important role in improving and maintaining the physical well-being of patients. There are various types of physical therapy that...Continue Reading

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious and life-threatening condition for those living with spinal cord injuries (SCI).  Studies show that CVD occurs more often in individuals with SCI and at an earlier age than the non-SCI population.  The leading factors for the increased risk are changes in your cardiovascular system due to SCI and nutrient...Continue Reading

In a split second my life changed. Just like that I was waiting for an ambulance. The whole time wondering why I couldn't move anything below my neck. Nine hours later I was out of surgery that repaired my 3rd-5th vertebrae in my neck, needing rods on both sides of my neck. I thank God...Continue Reading

The Model System Knowledge and Translation Center (MSKTC) is a national center that helps facilitate the knowledge translation process to make research meaningful to those with Spinal Cord Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Burn Injury. This library is home to factsheets, podcasts, videos, and comics to describe different areas affected by spinal cord injury. People...Continue Reading

by Dr. James Wilson, DO Pain after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is very common. Pain comes in different ‘flavors.’ Doctors often separate pain into neuropathic (from nerve damage) or somatic (from muscles, bones, or other similar body parts). One especially common type of somatic pain is shoulder pain. More than one-third of people with...Continue Reading