Content Source: Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center
The spine (also known as the backbone) runs from your head to your lower back. It surrounds and protects the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves running from your brain to the lower portion of the spine. The brain is the control center for your body and the spinal cord is the pathway that allows your brain and body to communicate. When this system is working properly, it carries vital messages to and from your brain and body. A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord or nerve roots resulting in temporary or permanent loss of movement and/or feeling.
To learn more about spinal cord injury, please view the following resources from Model systems Knowledge Center:
Fact Sheets
(available in English and Spanish)
- Adaptive Sports and Recreation
- Adjusting to Life
- Autonomic Dysreflexia
- Bladder Health
- Bladder Surgery
- Depression & SCI
- Driving after SCI
- Employment after SCI
- Exercise
- Gait Training & SCI
- Managing Bowel Function
- Managing Pain after Spinal Cord Injury
- Pregnancy Respiratory Health
- Safe Transfer Techniques
- Sexuality
- Skin Care & Pressure Sores
- Spasticity and Spinal Cord Injury
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Wheelchair Information