Acupuncture and physical therapy for spinal cord injury: Case report

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a major problem worldwide, which can result in partial or complete loss of sensory function and motor control. Injured people are 2-5 times more likely to suffer premature death than their uninjured counterparts.

This case reports the injuries sustained by a 41-year-old woman who jumped from a building being bombed in Kyiv, Ukraine, and her subsequent treatment and recovery. The patient suffered a complete spinal cord injury (SCI), lower distal paraplegia, and dysfunction of pelvic organs, with orthopedist reporting she would likely never walk again. She substantially recuperated after the integration of acupuncture and physical therapy (PT) in her rehabilitation. Utilizing electrical, manual, and scalp acupuncture along with PT, the patient regained full bowel control, improved bladder function, and gained ability to support orthostatic position.

Acupuncture is cost effective and easy to perform in hospital settings. It has an important role to play in the rehabilitation of injuries. The integration of acupuncture and PT may significantly improve motor and neurological functions for SCI patients.