#253 The Body Awareness -  Happiness Connection for SCI Rehabilitation with Dr. Ann Van de Winckel

In this episode, Dr. Ann Van de Winckel of the University of Minnesota School of Medicine shares cutting edge research on the role of mind-body interventions in spinal cord injury outpatient rehabilitation, emphasizing body-mapping, retrieval of body sensory memory coupled with the memory of the associated positive emotion that is enhancing physical rehabilitation functionality. She discusses cognitive multi-sensory rehabilitation, the brain-body connection, and research-backed benefits of these approaches for daily function, pain reduction, bowel and bladder function, medication reduction and improved quality of life. We also discuss the accessibility of these approaches which can be practiced at home on youtube for all populations.  And we explore the outcomes of the Happiness Project, an NIH funded research initiative studying Qigong’s impact on neuropathic pain in diverse populations including high spine SCI and those living with paralysis from stroke. 

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Blink of an Eye® Podcast is sponsored by the Blink of an Eye® Non-Profit:

 A non-profit created as an essential national resource for Spinal Cord Injured families in the first days and weeks of SCI crisis when life turns upside down and few medical teams in the US have SCI expertise. Blink of an Eye non profit provides a rapid response HEAL Team for ICU bedside support to create an Extraordinary Experience despite the devastation for SCI families. Blink of an Eye non profit also provides a Multidisciplinary Family Navigation & Support Team for SCI families lead by SCI families and SCI medical experts who provide 24/7 support in the first 90 days of crisis and for all transitions during the Miracle Year.  Stay tuned for their launch of a National Digital Resource Library, the SCI PLAYBOOK, chocked full of essential SCI information and trauma informed responses for the first hours, days and months after injury--what you need to know/say/do/request specialized for SCI families, friends and medical staff. To find out more and to make a donation, visit www.blinkofaneye.org.

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