When should physical therapy begin after a spinal cord injury? - T. George Hornby, PhD, PT

Physical therapy should begin as soon as possible after injury. The longer that people actually wait after their injury, it's theorized that less recovery is actually possible. So as early as possible, and then as long as gains are continuing to be made. Often times they may be small gains, but little improvements here and there may be continuous throughout someone's life span. So physical therapy may be terminated because of insurance reasons, but patients should continue to be active and exercise as much as possible—whether that be at a gym or come back for tune-ups, or really on their own. This increased activity is really going to help them, both their physical well being and physiological well being, throughout their life.