Breathing Better: The Respiratory Benefits of Standing for People with SCI/D

People with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) are commonly subject to various levels of pulmonary dysfunction depending on the neurological level of their injury. It has been documented that these individuals can improve their pulmonary function with Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT). It has also been shown that being upright is beneficial for people with SCI/D, these benefits include strengthening of their secondary respiratory muscles, improved postural alignment, reduced muscle spasticity, reduced joint contractures and muscle shortening, improved gastrointestinal and renal function.