AccessLife · Health Resource Hub
Living with Spinal Cord Injury
Comprehensive guides covering the most important secondary health systems after SCI — written for patients, caregivers, and families.
Evidence-Based
SCI-Specific
Reeve Foundation
4 Health Categories
10+ Articles

After spinal cord injury, several body systems are directly affected by changes to sensation, muscle control, and autonomic function. The guides below cover each system in depth — select a category to explore the full article series.

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Category 01 · SCI Health
Bladder Management

Multi-Part Series

After SCI, the bladder no longer empties automatically. Understanding catheterisation methods, UTI prevention, fluid management and your care team is essential to long-term health and independence.

4
Methods

80%
SCI Affected

UTI
Key Risk

Team
Care Support

Catheterisation Types
UTI Prevention
Fluid Management
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Care Team Roles
📚 Full article series inside

More Info

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Category 03 · SCI Health
Skin Health

4-Part Series

After SCI, reduced sensation and circulation make the skin highly vulnerable. This 4-part series covers everything from understanding your skin’s changes, to identifying conditions, managing pressure injuries, and wound care.

4
Articles

13+
Conditions

4
PI Stages

2×
Daily Checks

“`

Article 1 · Ocean Blue
Understanding Your Skin After SCI

Article 2 · Deep Purple
Common Skin Conditions After SCI

Article 3 · Deep Red
Pressure Injury: Staging & Treatment

Article 4 · Teal
Wound Care & When to Seek Help

📚 4-part series · 45+ min total reading

More Info

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Category 02 · SCI Health
Bowel Management

Multi-Part Series

SCI disrupts the nerve signals that control bowel function. Establishing a consistent bowel program — with the right diet, timing, and technique — reduces complications and improves quality of life.

2
Bowel Types

Daily
Program

Diet
Key Factor

AD
Risk Factor

Neurogenic Bowel
Bowel Program
Diet & Fibre
Medications
Autonomic Dysreflexia
📚 Full article series inside

More Info
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Category 04 · SCI Health
Autonomic Dysreflexia

Emergency Guide

A sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure affecting SCI at T6 and above. Learn to recognise the warning signs, find the trigger, and follow the step-by-step emergency treatment that can be life-saving.
48–90%
At Risk
22%
Mortality
300%+
Stroke Risk
63%
Silent AD
Symptoms & Triggers
Emergency Steps
Silent AD
BP Monitoring
Care Team
🚨 Critical emergency reference inside

More Info
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Category 05 · SCI Health
Spasticity
Comprehensive Guide
Involuntary muscle tightening after SCI — how tone develops, how it’s measured, and the full range of treatments from stretching to surgery.
65–75%
SCI Affected
6 Wks
Typical Onset
0–5
Ashworth Scale
12M+
Worldwide
Muscle Tone & Spasms Ashworth Scale Oral & Injectable Meds Physical Therapy Care Team
📚 Full guide: causes, diagnosis & treatment More Info
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Category 04 · SCI Health
Sexual Health Series
3-Part Series
Intimacy, relationships, and family planning after paralysis — a three-part guide covering men, women, and pregnancy.
3
Articles
26 min
Combined Read
2
Men & Women
Family
Planning Included

Article 1

Sexual Health for Men

Read Article →

Article 2

Sexual Health for Women

Read Article →

Article 3

Pregnancy and Paralysis

Read Article →

📚 3-part series — explore all guides
View Series
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Category 07 · SCI Health
Secondary Conditions
Overview Guide
The nine most common complications after SCI — from blood clots and pneumonia to pressure sores, pain and UTIs — with warning signs, prevention and links to every in-depth AccessLife guide.
9
Key Conditions
T6+
AD Risk Level
2 hrs
Reposition
4
Sore Stages
Blood Clots (DVT) Pneumonia Low Blood Pressure Pain Bladder & Bowel
📚 Start here if you are newly injured More Info