Unlike with many other injuries, the most important component of spinal cord injury treatment begins before you even get to the doctor. Remaining still, avoiding moving your spinal column, and prompt emergency care, can all increase the odds that you survive while minimizing the long-term effects of the injury.

From there, doctors will focus on stabilizing the condition, since the first hours after a spinal cord injury are critical to a patient's survival. Assistance with breathing, a collar to keep the neck still, blood transfusions, and other procedures to address immediate symptoms may be necessary.

The doctor will work with a patient and his or her family to construct a detailed plan for SCI rehabilitation. Every injury is different, but common treatments for a spinal cord injury may involve:

Care to address, but not treat, immediate symptoms. For instance, a ventilator can help someone breathe and a feeding tube can help a patient eat if he or she is unable to do so.

Palliative care can help the patient be more comfortable. A doctor might prescribe medication to help with insomnia or chronic pain.

Lifestyle changes, such as a healthier diet or giving up smoking.

Physical therapy to help retrain body mobility.

Family and individual counseling to help patients cope with the pain and stress of life with a spinal cord injury.

Surgery is needed to correct injury-related health problems.

Spinal cord injury research is always looking for breakthroughs in treatments, such as stem cell therapy for SCI. Stem cell therapies have long been marketed as the best treatment for a range of diseases, including spinal cord injuries. Recent data suggests that further research could point toward a cure for spinal cord injuries.