In what ways do physical therapists train family members after a spinal cord injury? - Laura Wehrli, PT

Physical therapists train family members to assist the person with a spinal cord injury in whatever activities of daily living—transfers, bed mobility—that they still need help with after their injury and after rehab. And so the physical therapist will teach the family member to assist in a way that’s safe for them, their body mechanics, and for the patient. And, hopefully, teach the family members to assist in a way that the patient can continue to contribute to that transfer, that skill and continue to improve their own independence. And so, usually at the end of the rehab stay, the patient may not be independent with their transfers, or may need quite a bit of assistance, but has the potential to be able to get more independent, so the family can really help take over at that point, and continue the rehab process at home.