Transfers and bed mobility
Assess rolling, moving into sitting and transfers between usual surfaces. Practise suitable techniques, review assistance and transfer equipment, and help support workers follow an agreed approach.
Spinal cord injury physiotherapy · Western Sydney and The Hills
Practical movement and transfer support after spinal cord injury
Tandem Physio provides mobile physiotherapy for adults with spinal cord injury, working on the movements, equipment and assistance that make everyday routines possible at home and in the community.
Different injuries, different priorities
Start with what the person needs to do
Injury level and completeness influence movement, sensation and support needs, but do not tell the whole story. Assessment also considers current abilities, medical precautions, previous rehabilitation, fatigue, environment and personal goals.
For one person, the priority may be moving from a wheelchair to bed with less effort. For another, it may be supported standing, walking practice or directing assistance more confidently. Independence can include choosing how care is provided.
Read About Chris and Tandem’s Clinical Focus to help assess clinical fit.
Physiotherapy in daily routines
Build skills while managing physical demands
Wheelchair function and upper-limb preservation
Consider wheelchair manoeuvring, reaching and propulsion where relevant. Review repeated loading during daily tasks, shoulder symptoms, strength and technique to support upper-limb preservation rather than simply adding more repetitions.
Strength, range and positioning
Develop movement and exercise around available muscle function and meaningful tasks. Joint range and supported positions are considered alongside comfort, skin precautions and the existing care plan.
Standing and walking where appropriate
Standing or gait practice depends on assessment, goals and medical suitability, including weight-bearing restrictions and blood-pressure tolerance. It is not an assumed goal or a promise of walking recovery.
After discharge and over time
Revisit routines before they become unsustainable
Rehabilitation after returning home may focus on applying newly learnt skills. Years after injury, review may instead address shoulder loading, reduced stamina, altered support or a different home setup.
Consider referral when transfers need more assistance, wheelchair tasks become painful or tiring, joint movement limits care, or support workers need practical training. A change in equipment or an interruption to usual activity may also prompt review.
Recommendations may include adjusting a task, changing the exercise dose or seeking additional equipment assessment. New or unexplained changes need appropriate medical review, rather than being assumed to reflect deconditioning.
Coordinate with the spinal and rehabilitation team
With consent, Chris can liaise with the spinal service, rehabilitation physician, GP, OT, nursing team and case manager. Medical management of spinal cord injury complications remains with the appropriate treating team.
Where breathing or cough function affects activity or daily care, respiratory physiotherapy is considered only within clinician competence, clinical suitability and the agreed care plan. Respiratory assessment, ventilation and medical decisions require the relevant respiratory or spinal team.
Refer for community spinal cord injury physiotherapy
Anyone can enquire. Include the functional goal, current transfers, mobility and precautions. Referring for someone else requires consent or appropriate authority.
Visits cover Western Sydney and The Hills, including Penrith, subject to suitability, travel and availability. See Service Areas.
Private enquiries welcome. NDIS funding: self-managed and plan-managed only; Tandem is not NDIS-registered. iCare / LTCS requires scheme approval where applicable. Funding and required approvals are confirmed before services start.
Related functional support
Where needs overlap, explore ABI and TBI rehabilitation or functional rehabilitation for complex chronic pain.