Spinal Injury is usually the result of an accident (e.g. – car, driving, pedestrian, or sports). The vertebra of the spine are displaced or crushed, which injures the spinal cord or the spinal column. Damage is often permanent and irreversible. When the spinal cord is damaged, the messages and signals to and from the brain cannot get through, resulting in paralysis; loss of function and feeling in the area below the level of injury.
• Paraplegia - If the spine is injured below the level of the neck the person is said to be paraplegic and will be paralyzed to some degree in the leg and abdomen.
• Quadriplegia - If the neck is broken or the spine is injured in the cervical region, the arms also will be fully or partially paralyzed. All four limbs are affected and the person is said to be quadriplegic. Chest muscles will also be affected and the person may have difficulty with breathing, coughing and clearing their chest.
• Autonomic Paralysis - The body has another system that controls the involuntary functions of internal organs. Damage to the spinal cord will usually affect the autonomic nervous system as well to some degree.

Causes of Spinal Injury
• Motor Vehicle Accidents - 55% (Car = 40%, Motorcycle = 15%)
• Diving Accidents - 11%
• Falls and Crushes - 15%
• Sports - 8%
• Other Trauma - 11% (Gunshot wounds, assault, etc.)