After SCI Rehabilitation

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What’s next after completing rehabilitation for a spinal cord injury?

Transitioning from inpatient rehabilitation is a significant milestone in your recovery journey — and an exciting milestone toward returning to daily life. At Shepherd Center, 94% of patients successfully transition to their homes, marking the start of a new phase focused on reclaiming independence and continuing progress.

This next chapter may involve ongoing outpatient therapy to help you build strength and skills, using assistive technology to enhance mobility, and adapting your home environment to better suit your needs. This phase is about overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities, and reintegrating into your community with confidence.

Continuing your recovery journey

Your recovery doesn’t end when you leave the hospital. In fact, after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, continuing outpatient therapy and specialized medical care is often essential to further enhance muscle strength, range of motion, and skills for daily living. This ongoing care helps you build on your progress while also preventing potential complications.

For those ready to advance beyond 24-hour care, our specialized continuum of care provides the next phases in your recovery journey. Our Spinal Cord Injury Day Rehabilitation Program offers coordinated therapy up to five days a week. This program focuses on community reintegration and achieving functional milestones with the support of a multidisciplinary team.

Day SCI Rehabilitation Program

To build on the progress you’ve made in inpatient rehabilitation and keep advancing, our Beyond Therapy® program combines physical therapy with exercise physiology to target weaker muscles and nerve connections that may not have been fully addressed during the early stages of therapy. This program helps reduce complications, improve sensory and motor function, and equips you with the tools and knowledge to maintain physical readiness and support long-term recovery.

Beyond Therapy

Ongoing checkups with your healthcare providers are crucial for monitoring and preventing complications such as urinary tract infections, pressure sores, and autonomic dysreflexia. At Shepherd Center, we offer follow-up care five days a week in our dedicated outpatient department, with access to a range of services tailored to your needs.

Our outpatient therapy team includes experts in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and other specialized services. We also offer targeted programs and clinics for outpatients with spinal cord injury, including:

Community reintegration

Life after inpatient care is a time of adapting to new routines and reconnecting with the activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s resuming daily tasks, returning to work, or rediscovering hobbies, we provide the resources and support to help you navigate this new chapter with confidence.

Former patient, Amanda Francis, holding a stack of children's books in her arms while smiling while standing in a school library.

Return to Work

Receive expert vocational counseling to transition back to work.
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Transition Support & Life Skills Training

Expert help for returning to life after rehabilitation, focusing on independence and empowerment.
Peer support staff, from left: Pete Anziano, Mariellen Jacobs, Kim Ross, Karen DeVault, Daquarius Greene and David Carter at the Shepherd Center

Peer Support Groups

Connect with others who understand your experience, share advice, and offer support.
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Adaptive Sports and Recreation

Rediscover hobbies and explore new activities.
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Community Connections

Access resources to stay involved in your community.
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Driving Program

Regain your independence with training to get back on the road safely.

Living with spinal cord injury

Living with a spinal cord injury presents unique challenges, but with the right strategies and support, you can successfully navigate daily life and thrive. Here’s how you can navigate your injury successfully:

  • Daily living: Build routines that work for you, set goals, manage your home, and focus on nutrition to stay strong and energized.
  • Positioning and mobility: Learn strategies to stay comfortable and maintain mobility throughout your day.
  • Exercise and wellness: Keep moving with tailored exercise plans that promote strength, flexibility, and overall wellness.
  • Personal health and hygiene: Manage key areas like bladder and bowel care, skin health, respiratory health, and nutrition to maintain your overall well-being.
  • Medical concerns: Stay proactive with ongoing health monitoring and manage any secondary conditions with support from your care team.
  • Coping and adjustment: Build resilience with emotional support and strategies to help you adapt to challenges.
  • Home accessibility: Modify your home to create a living space that meets your needs for comfort, safety, and independence.
Learn More on MyShepherdConnection
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Safety and prevention for spinal cord injury

Taking care of your health means staying proactive about safety and prevention. At Shepherd Center, we’re here to help you protect your independence with resources and expert advice on home safety, fall prevention, and emergency preparedness.

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