Chronic pain is something that, unfortunately, many people with SCI live with.  In fact, up to 80% of people with SCI develop some kind of pain within the first year of injury. The SeePain Resource was developed because people living with SCI said they wanted more information about pain to understand it better, to learn more...Continue Reading

We wanted to feature a source on Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) after a spinal cord injury as this can often lead to life-changing circumstances. AD, sometimes referred to as Autonomic Hyperreflexia, is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that many people with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience when there is a pain or discomfort below their level...Continue Reading

When treating depression or depression-like symptoms, many don’t think of nutrition.  However, when focusing on consuming specific nutrients, especially those that help your brain, can improve your mood and provide energy needed to perform all the daily necessities of life.  Your gut health can also play a role in helping depressive symptoms because of the...Continue Reading

Have you ever heard of aquatic therapy? Have you ever wondered if it would be helpful with your spinal cord injury? Aquatic therapy is water-based therapeutic exercise.  It is also sometimes called hydrotherapy.  The value of doing exercises in water is based on 3 physical properties:  temperature, density, and viscosity.Continue Reading

Due to many circumstances, the MetroHealth Spinal Cord Injury Forum will be postponed for 2023.  We are working on a new date and will update everyone soon.  We want to bring the best event possible and are working hard behind the scenes. 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.Continue Reading

In partnership with the United Spinal Association Northeast Ohio Chapter, the MetroHealth System will be hosting the Spinal Cord Injury Forum on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The conference will be held in a NEW Glick Center Conference Room at the MetroHealth Main Campus. This educational conference is projected to attract 80-90 attendees and a consortium...Continue Reading

by Dr. Kim Anderson In spinal cord injury, or SCI, nerves that communicate between the brain and body are damaged.  In addition to weakness and numbness, other functions, including the digestive track, are often impacted.  For people living with SCI, bowel control and dysfunction are among their biggest perceived challenges.  Constipation and incontinence (accidents) are...Continue Reading

Written by: Dr. Kim Anderson As part of the MetroHealth Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Model Systems program, we are participating in a multi-center collaborative study being led by the Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Los Angeles, California.  This study is about bowel function, which we know is very important to many people living with...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.  Some people with SCI may experience problems moving waste through their colon, passing a stool when they do not want...Continue Reading