Spine · Treatment

Spinal Injuries

From acute disc protrusions and nerve-root impingement to long-term spinal cord rehabilitation. These cases are multi-disciplinary by default — we'll coordinate with your medical team.

Book assessment All conditions

Typical programme

12–36 weeks

Session length

60 min

Recovery rate

85%

Understanding the condition

Spinal injuries — from acute disc problems to long-term spinal cord rehabilitation.

Spinal conditions span a huge range — from acute disc protrusions and nerve-root impingement to long-term spinal cord rehabilitation. These cases are multidisciplinary by default, and the worst thing that can happen is fragmented care where no one holds the whole picture.

We take that coordinating role. We assess thoroughly, treat within safe and appropriate limits, and work alongside your medical team — surgeons, neurologists, pain specialists — so your rehabilitation is one joined-up plan rather than a series of disconnected appointments. Progress on a complex spine is steady and earned, and we set realistic expectations from day one.

Image — careful spinal assessment and rehabilitation

Why it happens

The root causes we look for.

Disc herniation and nerve root compression

The nucleus pulposus extrudes through the annulus fibrosus and contacts an adjacent nerve root, producing local spine pain with referred pain, weakness or sensory change in the distribution of that nerve.

Vertebral fracture (trauma or osteoporosis)

High-energy trauma or low-energy fracture in osteoporotic bone can produce vertebral compression, potentially with spinal cord or nerve root involvement.

Spinal cord trauma (RTA, sporting collision)

Direct trauma to the spinal cord from road traffic accidents, falls from height or sporting collisions — the level and completeness of the injury determines the extent and prognosis of neurological recovery.

Spinal stenosis

Age-related narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina compresses the spinal cord or nerve roots, producing neurogenic claudication — leg pain and weakness on walking that relieves with rest or forward flexion.

Post-surgical spinal changes

Decompression, discectomy or fusion surgery alters the biomechanics of adjacent spinal segments. Rehabilitation addresses the altered load patterns and rebuilds the stability and movement quality around the surgical site.

Symptoms we treat

Recognise any of these?

Severe back pain with leg symptoms

Loss of sensation in limbs

Weakness in legs or feet

Loss of bladder or bowel control (urgent)

Severe pain at rest

Progressive neurological symptoms

Our Approach

How we'll actually treat it.

WEEK 1–2

Screen & coordinate

Thorough neurological assessment. Coordinate with your neurosurgeon or orthopaedic team.

WEEK 2–8

Calm & mobilise

Symptom-modifying interventions, gentle motion within safe limits.

WEEK 8–20

Strength & control

Progressive loading, deep core training, neuromuscular re-education.

WEEK 20+

Return to life

Function-specific work. Long-term maintenance programme designed for your goals.

Services Involved

The disciplines we'll combine.

Every programme braids two or three of our core services. Here's the typical pairing for this condition.

Physiotherapy

Hands-on clinical care — the backbone of every programme.

Clinical Pilates

Mat and reformer pilates supervised by clinicians.

Postural Correction

Decode imbalances and rebuild the body's default position.

The results

Treatment that actually holds.

Outcomes for spinal injuries depend profoundly on the nature and severity of the injury. Most disc-related nerve root compressions resolve with conservative physiotherapy. More complex cord pathology requires realistic expectation-setting and sustained, expert rehabilitation.

85%

Recovery & satisfaction rate

Team

Coordinated with your specialists

12–36 weeks

Typical programme

60 min

Per session

Common questions

Your questions, answered.

Still unsure? Our clinicians answer the questions patients ask most. You can always call the HSR Layout clinic for a straight answer first.

Ask us directly

For the majority of disc herniations — even those with nerve root compression and significant arm or leg symptoms — conservative physiotherapy produces equivalent or better long-term outcomes than surgical intervention. Surgery is indicated when there are progressive neurological deficits, cauda equina symptoms, or when conservative management has genuinely failed over an adequate time period.

Multi-level disc degeneration is extremely common on MRI in adults over 40 and in many cases produces no symptoms at all. We focus on what you cannot do rather than what the image shows — function, not anatomy, drives treatment decisions.

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when a large central disc herniation or other pathology compresses the bundle of nerve roots at the base of the spine, producing bladder or bowel symptoms, saddle numbness, or bilateral leg weakness. This is a surgical emergency — if you have these symptoms, attend emergency immediately.

Yes, significantly. Even with complete spinal cord injuries, physiotherapy maximises the neurological recovery that does occur, prevents secondary complications (contractures, pressure injuries, cardiovascular deconditioning), and builds the compensatory function and independence that is possible within the constraints of the injury level.

Ready to start?

Let's get this handled.

Book a 60-minute assessment with one of our clinicians. You'll leave with a clear diagnosis, a written programme, and a realistic timeline.

Book assessment

What's included:

→ Full movement assessment
→ Diagnosis & root-cause analysis
→ Written programme with milestones
→ Cost & timeline upfront
→ Same-day hands-on treatment if appropriate