How Does a Spinal Cord Injury Affect the Brain?
When you think about a spinal cord injury, you may picture paralysis or loss of movement. But your spinal cord does more than control your muscles. It carries messages between your body and your brain every second. A spinal cord injury can disrupt how your brain sends and receives signals, which may change brain function, mood, memory, and focus. When those signals break down, your brain must adjust. You may face inflammation, stress, sleep problems, or chronic pain that also affect how your brain works over time. These changes due to the traumatic injury can shape how you think, feel, and function each day. Understanding this link helps you see why recovery often involves more than physical therapy. It also explains why treating the whole nervous system matters after SCI. Key Takeaways A spinal cord injury disrupts communication between your spinal cord and brain. SCI can affect brain function, including memory, focus, and mood. Early care and rehab support both physical and c...