Back to accessibility links
State Spinal Cord Injury Service

Spinal Seating Modules

Receiving a new spinal client

Clients with a spinal cord injury may make contact with a clinician for a number of reasons.

For example, a client may be:

  • A client having a new injury receiving acute care or rehabilitation in hospital
  • A client having a new injury recently discharged from hospital
  • A long term client with an established injury who has recently moved to the area
  • A long term client with an established injury who is accessing services for the first time or after a long absence, and
  • A long term client with an established injury experiencing changing needs due to pressure injuries, upper limb deterioration, aging or other co-morbidities.

Clients with spinal cord injuries often have complex needs that must be addressed to ensure they stay healthy, functional and engaged in the community. In general, the complexity of needs will increase with the level of injury; however, managing seating pressures and postures can be complex for both high and low level injuries.

To ascertain the complexity of a spinal client’s seating needs it is good to be prepared prior to the first clinical interaction.