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If you’re a woman living with a spinal cord injury, I want you to pause for a second and breathe. You’ve been through a lot. And now, as you focus on recovery, there’s one decision that can shape your entire healing journey: Choosing the right physiotherapist.
Not just someone who’s available. Not just someone who’s “nice.” But someone qualified, experienced, and committed to walking this road with you. This guide isn’t just about finding a physiotherapist. It’s about finding the right one, the kind of professional who understands the physical, emotional, and personal layers of your recovery.
For many of us, a bad hairstyle isn’t just a beauty mishap, it’s a full-blown crisis. Before you ever let someone lay a finger on your edges or your silk press, you do research. You check their Instagram, zoom in on pictures, read through comments, stalk their tagged photos (👀 yes, we know), and maybe even ask a friend: “Who did your hair last week? Because baby, that install was laid.”
Now, if we do all that for hair, why would we do any less for our healing? Just like you would stalk on a new hairstylist before driving to their shop, do the same before choosing your physiotherapist. Find out the following about them:
1) Are they licensed? This is your non-negotiable. No license? No business touching your body.
2) Are they registered with a professional body? If you’re in the UK, look out for: CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy); HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council). These aren’t just random acronyms, they’re proof that this person is legit, trained, and held to a professional standard.
3) Have they done additional training in neurological physiotherapy? This is key for spinal cord injuries. Your body isn’t just about bones and joints, now your nervous system is in the spotlight. Someone who understands neuroplasticity (how your brain and nerves learn new ways to communicate) will treat you differently than someone who only knows how to fix a twisted ankle.
Do they have SCI-specific experience? Ask them directly and if they can’t answer confidently, or if they’re vague? That’s your cue to politely bounce. Major red flag in their response?“I mostly work with sports injuries and back pain. But physiotherapy is the same across the board, right?”
No. No, it’s not. And that mindset is dangerous. A generalist physiotherapist may be ideal for someone recovering from a gym injury, but they may have limited knowledge on how to help you strengthen your core muscles after a spinal cord injury (SCI), improve bladder control, manage spasticity, or rebuild muscle function using techniques like Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES).
When a physiotherapist has the right credentials and the right experience, you’re not just doing rehab, you’re building real results: Regaining strength in your arms or legs, learning how to balance again, reconnecting with your body’s signals, restoring independence in everyday activities
You’ll know you’re in the right hands when they talk about your healing with precision, not guesswork. So, Sis, protect your healing like you protect your crown. Just like you wouldn’t trust someone with your hair if they’ve never touched 4C curls or worked with a sensitive scalp…
Don’t hand over your recovery to someone who’s unfamiliar with the journey of spinal cord injury. Do your research. Ask the questions. Double-check the receipts. Because this isn’t vanity. This is victory. And the right physiotherapist will treat your recovery journey like the sacred process it is.
Listen, this is your healing, not a guessing game. So when you meet a potential physiotherapist, don’t be shy. Channel your inner boss and ask questions like you’re interviewing them for the most important role of their career. Because guess what? They are applying for a role in your recovery and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Credentials are cute, but experience is everything. Anyone can list degrees on a wall. But that doesn’t mean they’ve walked the road with someone like you. So ask. Ask boldly, clearly, and with confidence. Here are a few questions that must come up in your conversation:
“How many clients with spinal cord injuries have you worked with?”, “What types of spinal cord injuries have you treated? (Paraplegia, quadriplegia, incomplete vs. complete, etc.)”, “Have you worked with women who had goals like mine whether that’s walking again, building upper body strength, improving bladder control, or reducing muscle stiffness?”
Why this matters? Because no two injuries are the same. Let me explain. Your spinal cord injury isn’t some textbook case. You are not a patient ID or a diagnosis code. You are a full human being with unique mobility levels, muscle response, pain triggers, hormonal shifts, lifestyle needs, emotional rhythms
And let’s be honest, female physiology changes how spinal cord injury presents itself and how we recover. From menstrual cycles affecting spasticity to pregnancy concerns, to body image struggles our needs require specialised, gender-aware support.
Red flag to watch for: If you ask about SCI experience and they say: “Oh, I haven’t worked with spinal cord injury specifically, but rehab is rehab, right?” No. Run. Spinal cord injury is not a sprained ankle or a post-op knee replacement.
It requires: Knowledge of how the nervous system adapts over time, skill in using tools like standing frames, gait trainers, or functional electrical stimulation, patience and strategy to manage setbacks like spasms, fatigue, or pressure sores, emotional intelligence to support you on the days your body feels foreign. If they don’t have that, you could end up wasting precious time and energy on techniques that don’t serve your healing.
Pro Tip? Ask for a success story. Seriously. Just say: “Can you share a success story of someone you’ve helped who had a similar injury?” Their response will tell you everything. If they light up with enthusiasm and walk you through a clear example? Green flag. If they pause, hesitate, or speak vaguely? That’s your sign to use the door.
You need someone who’s proud of their impact and deeply familiar with what it takes to help women like you make progress. This is your permission to be choosy. You’re not being rude. You’re asking for alignment and that’s what makes all the difference in your recovery. So whether you’re speaking in person, on the phone, or via a referral call… Ask like your healing depends on it. Because in many ways, it does.
Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury recovery is not about just moving your arms up and down or counting leg lifts like reps at the gym. It’s about healing that actually fits into your life, your energy levels, your body, your goals, your emotional state, and even your schedule. Because your recovery isn’t just physical, it’s deeply personal.
There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy and that’s a good thing. A great physiotherapist won’t just hand you a list of random exercises. They’ll take the time to understand: Where you are now, what progress looks like for you, how to make therapy practical and empowering, not overwhelming. The right approach = results and relief. Let me explain a few methods you might hear about (and what they actually mean)
1) Activity-Based Therapy (ABT): This focuses on retraining the muscles and the nervous system, even in areas where function seems lost. The goal is to reawaken connections and encourage movement through repetition and intention.
2) Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES): Sounds fancy, but it’s simply the use of small, safe electrical pulses to activate paralyzed or weak muscles. This is powerful because it doesn’t just move the muscle, it stimulates the neurological pathways that control it.
3) Neuroplasticity-Focused Training: This uses exercises and brain-body work that help your brain form new pathways. Think of it like rerouting traffic in your nervous system so your body can find new ways to function again.
Now, here’s what you should ask your physiotherapist:
“What kind of approach do you typically use with women recovering from spinal cord injuries?”, “How do you personalise that approach based on the level and type of injury?”, “Will we set measurable goals together and track my progress?”, “How do you make sure the plan fits my real life, not just what’s in your textbook?”
You’re not just looking for someone who knows these methods, you want someone who knows how to use them in a way that fits your rhythm, your home life, and your mental health. Red flags to watch out for in responses? If they say things like: “We’ll just take it day by day…” “Everyone’s different, so I’ll figure it out as we go…” “Let’s just start moving and we’ll see…”
That’s not a plan, that’s a guessing game. And you deserve intentionality, not improvisation. You are not a case study. You’re a woman with dreams. Maybe you want to pick up your child again, walk into your kitchen on your own, sit comfortably for longer hours or reduce the spasms that make everyday life exhausting. Whatever your goal is, your therapy must lead you toward it, not just keep you busy in a clinic.
The right physiotherapist will co-create your plan with you, not just write it for you. They’ll listen, adjust, celebrate wins and rework strategies when something doesn’t serve you. So if they’re not asking about your lifestyle, your schedule, your pain patterns, or your hopes, that’s a red flag. Because healing isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters.
When you’re recovering from a spinal cord injury, it’s not just your body that’s healing, it’s your heart, your confidence, your routines, and sometimes your whole sense of self. So choosing a physiotherapist? You’re not just picking a professional. You’re choosing a partner for your healing journey. And the way they communicate with you can make or break that experience.
Ask yourself:
1. Do I feel seen and heard when I talk to them? Or do they rush through the session and treat you like a checklist?
2. Do they explain things clearly, without hiding behind medical jargon? Because if you’re left Googling half of what they said after your session… that’s a problem.
3. Are they patient when I ask questions? Or do they give the “You should already know this” vibe?
Communication in physiotherapy is more than just speaking, it’s about connection, trust, and respect. There’s a huge difference between someone who talks at you and someone who talks with you. The one who talks to you makes the session about them. They want you to follow without understanding, comply without clarity, and nod even when you’re confused.
The one who talks with you slows down, listens, rephrases, checks in, and explains. They don’t just hand you a stretch to do, they walk you through why it matters and how it helps your body. That’s partnership. That’s care. Remember, this journey will have highs and lows. You’ll have weeks where you feel like you’re making progress, and others where everything feels like a setback.
You need someone who: Encourages you when things get tough, celebrates all your wins, no matter how small, explains every step in language that makes sense to you, validates your pain and progress, not dismisses it. Recovery isn’t a straight road and having someone with the right communication style can make the journey less lonely and a lot more hopeful.
Red flag alert: If you leave a session more confused or dismissed… That’s not the energy we’re entertaining. If you find yourself second-guessing your concerns, feeling belittled for asking questions, or sensing emotional distance, you have permission to move on. Your healing deserves someone who’s present, patient, and clear. You shouldn’t have to wonder if your voice matters in the room.
Communication style is not fluff, it’s strategy. The way a physiotherapist talks to you directly affects how motivated, empowered, and safe you feel during recovery. So don’t just look for technical skill, look for a personality that helps you show up and do the work.
When the communication is warm, your nervous system calms and you become an active player in your own recovery. And that? That’s where the magic begins.
Your recovery isn’t just about the exercises or the therapist’s skills, it’s also about where you do it. If a place feels cramped, or stressful, how likely are you to feel motivated and safe showing up week after week? Your rehab space should lift you up, not drain you. Before you commit, try to visit the clinic in person or ask for a video tour if that’s easier.
Look for these must-haves:
1) Wheelchair accessibility: ramps, wide doors, and disabled toilets aren’t optional, they’re essential.
2) Adaptive equipment: Does the clinic have tools and machines designed specifically for spinal cord injury recovery?
3) Cleanliness and calm: The atmosphere should feel safe, tidy, and peaceful, not chaotic or overwhelming.
Ask yourself honestly: Can I picture myself growing here? Would I feel safe and supported here week after week? If your gut is giving you red flags, don’t push those feelings aside. Trust it. Now, here’s a practical but often overlooked part: Can you actually get there? The best physiotherapist in the world won’t help you if getting to them feels like climbing a mountain every time. Think about:
1) Location: Is the clinic easy to reach by car, public transport, or on foot?
2) Home visits or telehealth: Do they offer flexible options for days when travel isn’t possible?
3) Support: Can someone accompany you easily if you need help getting there?
And don’t forget scheduling flexibility. Life with a spinal cord injury isn’t predictable, and your physiotherapist should get that. You want someone who: Understands your real-life challenges, works with your schedule, not against it, offers options when things get tricky, instead of rigid, one-size-fits-all appointment times.
Your healing space should feel like a place you want to be, a place that supports your progress every single step of the way. Because when the environment and logistics work for you, your recovery isn’t just easier, it’s stronger.
Here’s something many people don’t talk about enough: true recovery is never a solo act. It’s not just about strengthening your muscles or improving your mobility. It’s about healing all of you, physically, emotionally, and mentally. That’s why the best physiotherapists don’t try to do it all on their own. A physiotherapist who understands this will collaborate with other professionals when needed.
That might include:
1) Occupational Therapists (OTs): to help you adapt everyday tasks like dressing, bathing, or working
2) Speech and Language Therapists: if your injury has affected your ability to speak, swallow, or communicate clearly
3) Pain Management Specialists: because dealing with nerve pain or muscle spasms might require expert help
4) Mental Health Professionals: because your emotional wellbeing is just as important as your physical progress
When your physiotherapist is open to teaming up with these experts, it shows they see you, not just as a diagnosis, but as a whole woman with a full, vibrant life to live. So ask them:
1) “Do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals if needed?”
2) “If I need additional support for mental health, occupational therapy, etc. can you refer me?”
3) “Have you worked in a multidisciplinary setting before?”
You’re not being difficult by asking. You’re being intentional and protecting your long-term health. Team-based care = more support, more insight, and better recovery. When your physiotherapist values that, it’s a sign they’re not just focused on getting you to stand or move again. They’re focused on helping you thrive in all aspects of your life. And that’s exactly the kind of energy you deserve on your healing journey.
Sometimes the best advice doesn’t come from a website or a brochure. It comes from another woman who’s been there, who’s felt what you’re feeling, faced similar challenges, and made real progress. That’s the power of community.
Ask other women living with spinal cord injury:
1) “Have you worked with any amazing physiotherapists?”
2) “What made them different from the rest?”
3) “Would you go back to them, and why?”
These aren’t just casual questions. They’re your shortcut to clarity. You’ll learn what red flags to avoid, what green flags to look for, and what it’s actually like to work with someone, not just what they say they do.
1) Online forums and Facebook groups dedicated to SCI support
2) Instagram or TikTok creators who share their spinal cord injury recovery journeys
3) WhatsApp or Telegram support groups
4) Local meetups, events, or virtual hangouts for women with spinal cord injury
Or maybe just that one friend who gets it and knows what to look out for
But also? You don’t have to look too far. That’s exactly why HerSpine Solutions exists. We are a UK-based social enterprise created by women, for women living with spinal cord injuries. We understand that recovery isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, social, and deeply personal. And our mission is simple: to make sure no woman walks this journey alone.
We offer:
1) Supportive communities where you can ask real questions and get honest answers
2) Educational content designed to empower and inform you at every stage of recovery
3) Social media conversations that reflect your reality, not a sugar coated version
4) Access to expert knowledge without the medical jargon or judgment
This isn’t just about healing your spine. It’s about rebuilding your confidence, redefining your identity, and reconnecting with hope. We see you. We hear you. And we’re here to walk with you from doctor visits to date nights, from physio sessions to faith rebuilds.
Because your story doesn’t end with your injury. In fact, for many of us? It’s where the real story begins.
Join The Herspine Virtual Ladies Lounge here