Orlando’s Clinic for

SPINAL CORD INJURY

Living with a spinal cord injury can be hard. In addition to regaining your independence, you might face other challenges such as uncontrolled pain, and overuse injuries. Our proven treatment approaches will help you get back to living your normal life, regain your independence, and becoming pain-free again. Contact our expert stroke recovery doctor to schedule your appointment or read below to learn more about our spinal cord injury wellness and phsyical therapy services.

Contact us

Orlando’s Clinic for

SPINAL CORD INJURY

class=”post-h”>Living with a spinal cord injury can be hard. In addition to regaining your independence, you might face other challenges such as uncontrolled pain, and overuse injuries. Our proven treatment approaches will help you get back to living your normal life, regain your independence, and becoming pain-free again. Contact our expert stroke recovery doctor to schedule your appointment or read below to learn more about our spinal cord injury wellness and phsyical therapy services.

Call Dr. Tara

Board-Certified

MEET DR. TARA TOBIAS

Dr. Tara Tobias is a board-certified neurologic physical therapy specialist. With 15+ years of experience, Tara has practiced in every setting including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient centers that specialize in a variety of neurologic and balance conditions. Along with this, she has also completed numerous post-graduate courses focusing on the study of neuroplasticity (how the brain learns new skills and forms new connections), motor recovery, and the treatment of balance disorders.

Background

Approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injuries are reported each year.  As of 2013, it is estimated that there are approximately 273,000 persons living with spinal cord injuries in the United States.  In 2010, the most common cause was motor vehicle accidents followed by falls.

What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is part of the nervous system.  The main job of the spinal cord is to send information from the brain to the body. For someone to perform a simple movement, such as flexing (bending) the elbow, the brain will send an electrical current down the nerve that goes to the bicep (the muscle that is responsible for elbow flexion).  This electrical current stimulates the bicep muscle to contract and cause the elbow to bend. Of course this becomes more complicated as we ask the body to do more complicated movements. For example, reaching for a specific target requires the brain to communicate with multiple muscles.

What happens when the spinal cord is damaged?

When the spinal cord is damaged, it effects all communication below the level of the injury. Lets assume the red line represents the spinal cord damage. All communication with the muscles would be effected below that line. More muscles are effected the higher the injury.  An injury that occurs in the lumbar region (closer to the waist line), results in the brains inability to communicate with the muscles in the legs. When damage occurs closer to the neck, the brain loses communication with the arms and the legs.  The most severe injuries that occur high in the neck will effect the brains ability to communicate with breathing muscles.  

How We Handle
Spinal Cord Injuries

We understand the many problems that result from a spinal cord injury. That’s why our treatment approach focuses on getting your independence back as possible. We place equal emphasis on strengthening muscles above the level of injury and movement retraining below the level of injury. We do this with a serious focus on getting the most work done during your sessions. You’ll be seen exclusively by a board-certified specialist, never double booked, and we’ll never ask you to do unhelpful, monotonous exercises so that we can catch up on paperwork. Addressing YOUR goals is our one and only focus.

  • One-on-One Patient Care
  • Only Board Certified Specialists
  • Less Paperwork – More Treatment

How We Handle
Spinal Cord Injury

We understand the many problems that result from a spinal cord injury. That’s why our treatment approach focuses on getting your independence back as possible. We place equal emphasis on strengthening muscles above the level of injury and movement retraining below the level of injury. We do this with a serious focus on getting the most work done during your sessions. You’ll be seen exclusively by a board-certified specialist, never double booked, and we’ll never ask you to do unhelpful, monotonous exercises so that we can catch up on paperwork. Addressing YOUR goals is our one and only focus.

  • One-on-One Patient Care
  • Only Board Certified Specialists
  • Less Paperwork – More Treatment

What to expect after you return home


Returning home can be overwhelming. But hang in there! This is a huge accomplishment and you should be proud of how far you have come. And you can now begin the hard work of continuing to get your life back and regain your independence. This is where you will now begin your outpatient physical therapy where you will continue to learn how to use adaptive equipment to make you the most independent!

Say What?? I want to practice walking!!

Of course we share this vision for your recovery. But it is equally important and extremely empowering to gain as much independence as you can today. And this is why we at Orlando Neuro Therapy will work on 2 things.

We will continue to use proven techniques to strengthen weak muscles while also protecting joints from injury. Seriously, could you imagine hyperextending your knee, rolling an ankle, or dislocating a shoulder? Yup, this can actually happen if muscles and joints are not properly strengthened and protected.

We will continue to work with your adaptive equipment so you can get your life back ASAP.  It is hard to imagine having to use a wheelchair, adaptive eating utensils, or the crazy lynx wheelchair van…etc in public and we totally understand. But imagine being able to go out and enjoy time with friends and family? Movies theatres, Lake Eola, Disney…etc. Yes, all possible now that you got your “jail break” (my patient’s words, not mine) from rehab 🙂

And of course WALKING! Now, I know this is numero uno on your list and it is on mine for you as well while also avoiding injuries.

Again congratulations on making it home!!

HEAR FROM OUR PATIENTS

“I want to start out by letting you know a little bit about myself. In 2014 I was in a boating accident which left me paralyzed from the chest down. I’m classified as a C4 C5 quadriplegic. When I first got out of inpatient therapy I was blessed to have Tara as my first outpatient physical therapist. She was extremely knowledgeable, especially with SCI. I am a taller guy and I was concerned about people transferring me, Tara had no problem picking me up and passing me to the mat. She taught me so many different techniques to help me regain a sense of independence. Now two years later I live with roommates, I am trying to drive again, and re-integrating myself into the workforce. I definitely recommend her to be one of the best physical therapists I have ever had!”

Chris Pruitt

“Tara is Awesome! She has helped my Mother stand and walk with assistance after having a major stroke last year. She is the most dedicated person in her profession. She is determined to see that her patients achieve the most they can and continue to strive to meet their goals. She has never given up hope for Mom and we don’t know what we would have done if we had not been introduced to her. Thank you so much Tara for your continued enthusiasm and support!”

Christine H.

“Tara is a great physical therapist. She thinks outside the box and is always inventing new ways to challenge my son and keep him progressing. She goes way above and beyond. We have been in many physical therapy environments over the years, and Tara has had the greatest impact on my son’s recovery. She has pushed him to new limits. He continues to improve and Tara continues to pour hope into him. He loves working with her and loves seeing the functional improvements in his life. We are so thankful for Tara’s practice and all she does for her patients”

Jan P.

My daughter suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke in February, 2016. She received 6 weeks of inpatient therapy, as well as months of outpatient therapy. She, unfortunately, suffered several falls and broken bones, and also developed severe spasticity of the left foot/ankle. I found Tara on the website around December of 2017 and called her about my daughter. She evaluated her and immediately began a vigorous treatment plan. We, at this time, were becoming quite discouraged and looking for hope. Now, just 6 months latter, the progress my daughter has made is beyond anything we could have imagined at the time we met Tara. Every session Tara works extremely hard, is focused and uses a great bedside manner to elicit results from her patient. She shares the joys of her patient and their family when improvements are made, and she shows great pride in her skills. Tara is the best physical therapist we have had the privilege of working with. When we began with Tara, my daughter was confined to a wheelchair, she now is able to get that left foot flat and walk with assistance. Tara also helped us secure a new brace that actually works. Also, my daughter loves going to her therapy. sessions!

Rose O'neil

Getting Started is EASY!

No Insurance pre-authorization and you do not need a referral from a doctor

Step 1

Call Now and Ask Questions

Step 2

Discuss What is Best Option for You

Step 3

Start Treatment and Get Your Independence Back

 

 

 

Contact us to start living a more confident, pain-free LIFE!

 

Call now to speak directly to a therapist


(407) 900-0841

 

 

Send a message to our specialist to ask questions and see if our program is right for you!