Spasticity: After spinal cord injury the nerve cells below the level of injury become disconnected from the brain. Following the period of spinal shock changes occur in the nerve cells that control muscle activity. Spasticity is an exaggeration of the normal reflexes that occur when the body is stimulated in certain ways. After spinal cord injury, when nerves below the injury become disconnected from those above, these responses become exaggerated.

Muscle spasms, or spasticity, can occur any time the body is stimulated below the injury. This is particularly noticeable when muscles are stretched or when there is something irritating the body below the injury. Pain, stretch, or other sensations from the body are transmitted to the spinal cord. Because of the disconnection, these sensations will cause the muscles to contract or spasm.

Almost anything can trigger spasticity. Some things, however, can make spasticity more of a problem. A bladder infection or kidney infection will often cause spasticity to increase a great deal. A skin breakdown will also increase spasms. In a person who does not perform regular range of motion exercises, muscles and joints become less flexible and almost any minor stimulation can cause severe spasticity.

Some spasticity may always be present. The best way to manage or reduce excessive spasms is to perform a daily range of motion exercise program. . The therapy on the GIGER MDŽ Instruments eliminates spasticity and reduces medication or makes it superfluous.
 

Autonomic dysreflexia: Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a condition that can occur in anyone who has a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level. It is related to disconnections between the body below the injury and the control mechanisms for blood pressure and heart function. It causes the blood pressure to rise to potentially dangerous levels.

AD can be caused by a number of things. The most common causes are a full bladder, bladder infection, severe constipation, or pressure sores. Anything that would normally cause pain or discomfort below the level of the spinal cord injury can trigger dysreflexia. AD can occur during medical tests or procedures and need to be watched for.

The symptoms that occur with AD are directly related to the types of responses that happen in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Symptoms such as a pounding headache, spots before the eyes, or blurred vision are three direct results of the high blood pressure that occurs when blood vessels below the injury constrict. The body responds by dilating blood vessels above the injury, causing flushing of the skin, sweating, and occasionally goose bumps. Some patients describe nasal stuffiness and will feel very anxious. Uncontrolled AD can cause a stroke if not treated.

The primary risk of AD is stroke. It is a potentially life-threatening condition. If AD is left untreated, the body's attempt to control blood pressure will severely decrease the heart rate. This, combined with uncontrolled high blood pressure, can be fatal. For this reason, it is very important to treat this condition as soon as possible. The most important thing patients can do to prevent AD from occurring is to take good care of themselves. Patients should monitor bladder output and should maintain a regular bowel program which fully empties the bowels. They should also do regular skin checks to prevent pressure sores from occurring and daily movements of the whole body in the best therapeutic conditions on the GIGER MDŽ Instruments to decrease blood pressure.

Deep vein thrombosis: (DVT) or pulmonary embolism is a potentially severe complication of spinal cord injury. As mentioned above, there are changes in the normal neurologic control of the blood vessels that can result in stasis or "sludging". Deep vein thrombosis in the lower leg is almost universal during the early phases of recovery and rehabilitation. Thromboses in the thigh, however, are a great concern, as they are at risk for becoming dislodged and passing through the vascular tree to the lungs. A major obstruction of the arteries leading to the lung can potentially be fatal. Best therapeutic measures to reduce or eliminate completely the risk for deep vein thrombosis are when doing GIGER MDŽ Therapy because with the GIGER MDŽ medical device the whole body and all its muscles are in motion and the rate of blood circulation is increased. The pressure in the veins decreases. The blood’s viscosity is also smaller. The blood circulation through the capillarie is also improved.