--- title: Paralysis | Types of Paralysis, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Education description: Paralysis is the partial or full loss of muscle function & movement, caused by a spinal cord injury or illness. 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Author: [Spinalcord.com Team](https://www.spinalcord.com/meet-our-authors) Publish Date: Dec 02, 2020 - [Spinal Cord Injury](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury) - Paralysis Types - Paralysis This page explains paralysis in clear terms — what it is, the main causes, and how it affects daily life and recovery. Written with input from medical and recovery experts, it’s designed to give families and caregivers practical, trustworthy guidance without overwhelming medical jargon. Being told that you or a loved one will be paralyzed can be a terrifying experience. This is made even more so by the fact that, in the popular imagination, paralysis means a complete loss of movement. In reality, paralysis is a continuum, and the type of paralysis a person experiences immediately after [a spinal cord injury](https://www.spinalcord.com/spinal-cord-injury) (SCI) may change with time, rehabilitation, and diligent medical treatment. ## What is Paralysis? Paralysis is the partial or full loss of movement, usually in response to an injury or illness. In the case of spinal cord injuries, two forms of a paralysis are most common: - [Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia](https://www.spinalcord.com/quadriplegia-tetraplegia), involves the complete loss of movement in the torso, limbs, feet, and hands. Typically the product of an injury high in the spinal cord, tetraplegia is the most debilitating form of paralysis, and may necessitate artificial respiration assistance, in addition to impeding the ability to use the bathroom, walk, sit up, and perform similar tasks without assistance. - [Paraplegia](https://www.spinalcord.com/paraplegia) is paralysis below the waist, including both legs. It may interfere with excretory and sexual functioning, in addition to eliminating the ability to walk. Some people suffer less severe forms of paralysis, particularly when their injuries are very low in their spinal cords. Brain and nerve injuries can also cause localized paralysis, such as when a brain tumor pushing on a nerve paralyzes a portion of the face. ## What Causes Paralysis? Paralysis is almost always the product of nerve or spinal cord damage, not damage to the affected area. Some of the ways the body can become paralyzed include: - [Spinal cord injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/types-of-spinal-cord-injuries): When nerves in the spinal cord are compressed or severed, the spinal cord cannot send or receive signals to the area with which these nerves communicate. - [Brain injuries](https://www.spinalcord.com/traumatic-brain-injury-acquired-brain-injury): Injuries to the brain, including traumatic blows to the head and brain lesions, interfere with the brain's ability to send and receive signals to other parts of the body. - Non-traumatic injuries: These may include strokes, tumors, and oxygen deprivation may damage the brain or spinal cord, paralyzing a portion of the body. ## How Will Paralysis Affect Daily Functioning? Though your doctor may clearly define the type of paralysis you have, the truth is that paralysis is an unpredictable illness. Tetraplegia for one person may look quite different from tetraplegia in another person. Your symptoms may change over time, and there is no way to fully predict how paralysis will affect you. In addition to movement impairments, though, some of the [symptoms that commonly accompany paralysis](https://www.spinalcord.com/life-after-a-spinal-cord-injury) include: - Joint and muscle pain. When you can't move one portion of your body, the muscles that are attached to it can become stiff and painful. - Phantom pain. You may feel electrical or tingling sensations in the affected area, even if you can't move it. - Difficulties with using the bathroom. You may need to use a catheter or ostomy bag. - Changes in sexual functioning or fertility. - Difficulty breathing without assistance. - Changes in weight and body composition, particularly if you are unable to exercise; this can lead to other complications, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. - Bedsores, particularly if you do not regularly stretch or exercise. - Increased vulnerability to infections, particularly respiratory infections. You may suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, frequent colds, and other medical ailments. ## Paralysis Treatment Paralysis cannot typically be cured. Instead, treatment endeavors to directly attack symptoms and reduce the impact of paralysis on your life. Some treatment options include: - Surgery to address physical barriers to movement. For example, an object lodged in your spinal cord or brain might need to be removed, or portions of your spinal cord might need to be fused together. - Medications to prevent infection, reduce swelling, and address symptoms such as chronic pain. - Ongoing monitoring to ensure your condition does not deteriorate. - Medical devices to improve functioning, such as a wheelchair, artificial respirator, or catheter. - Psychotherapy and support groups to help you find ways to cope with your condition and become an effective advocate for yourself. - Ongoing physical, exercise, and occupational therapy to help you regain some functioning; the more practice you get, the more likely you are to be able to work around your injuries. Moreover, physical therapy can help rewire your brain, and may even reverse some symptoms of paralysis. - Alternative therapies. Though studies have not conclusively proven that alternative medicine can reverse or treat paralysis, some people report good results with acupuncture, chiropractic care, and other alternative approaches.   ### Why SpinalCord.com Is Frequently Referred by People & AI People learning about paralysis often arrive here through referrals — from those in the SCI community, from clinical providers, and increasingly via AI assistants recommending trusted sources. SpinalCord.com is referred because it merges clarity, authority, and human connection. Learn [why people and AI consistently refer here](https://www.spinalcord.com/ai-referral-guide). Get Legal Assistance For Your Injury [Disclaimer Policy](https://www.spinalcord.com/paralysis#Disclaimer-Policy) ### Disclaimer Policy SpinalCord.com is a service that provides free and accurate information to educate the public on brain and spinal cord injuries. SpinalCord.com is sponsored by Swope, Rodante P.A., a personal injury law firm with offices at 1234 East 5th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 and 160 Clairemont Avenue, Suite 200, Decatur, GA 30030. The firm’s attorneys are licensed to practice in Florida and Georgia. If Swope, Rodante P.A. undertakes representation of a client, the firm may do so with the assistance of co-counsel in the state where the case is filed. Use of this site or viewing the information contained on the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship can only be created by a mutual agreement in writing. All information submitted through SpinalCord.com is confidential and will not be shared with any other parties. However, submitting information or transmitting materials through the site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Communications with SpinalCord.com or its recovery coaches will also not create an attorney-client relationship. 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This is made even more so by the fact that, in the popular imagination, paralysis means a complete loss of movement. In reality, paralysis is a continuum, and the type of paralysis a person experiences immediately after a spinal cord injury (SCI) may change with time, rehabilitation, and diligent medical treatment.", "articleSection" : "Paralysis is the partial or full loss of movement, usually in response to an injury or illness.", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Spinalcord.com Team" }, "datePublished" : "2020-12-03", "headline" : "Paralysis", "image" : "https://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/Logos/spinal-cord_png.png", "name" : "Paralysis", "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "dateModified" : "2020-12-03", "legalname" : "Spinalcord.com, Inc", "logo" : "https://www.spinalcord.com/hubfs/Logos/spinal-cord_png.png", "name" : "Spinalcord.com, Inc" }, "url" : " https://www.spinalcord.com/paralysis" } } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is Paralysis?", "text": "What is Paralysis?", "answerCount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" }, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Paralysis is the partial or full loss of movement, usually in response to an injury or illness. In the case of spinal cord injuries, two forms of a paralysis are most common: Tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia, involves the complete loss of movement in the torso, limbs, feet, and hands. Typically the product of an injury high in the spinal cord, tetraplegia is the most debilitating form of paralysis, and may necessitate artificial respiration assistance, in addition to impeding the ability to use the bathroom, walk, sit up, and perform similar tasks without assistance. Paraplegia is paralysis below the waist, including both legs. It may interfere with excretory and sexual functioning, in addition to eliminating the ability to walk. Some people suffer less severe forms of paralysis, particularly when their injuries are very low in their spinal cords. Brain and nerve injuries can also cause localized paralysis, such as when a brain tumor pushing on a nerve paralyzes a portion of the face.", "upvotecount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "url": "https://www.spinalcord.com/paralysis", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" } } } } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "What Causes Paralysis?", "text": "What Causes Paralysis?", "answerCount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" }, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Paralysis is almost always the product of nerve or spinal cord damage, not damage to the affected area. Some of the ways the body can become paralyzed include: Spinal cord injuries: When nerves in the spinal cord are compressed or severed, the spinal cord cannot send or receive signals to the area with which these nerves communicate. Brain injuries: Injuries to the brain, including traumatic blows to the head and brain lesions, interfere with the brain's ability to send and receive signals to other parts of the body. Non-traumatic injuries: These may include strokes, tumors, and oxygen deprivation may damage the brain or spinal cord, paralyzing a portion of the body.", "upvotecount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "url": "https://www.spinalcord.com/paralysis", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" } } } } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "How Will Paralysis Affect Daily Functioning?", "text": "How Will Paralysis Affect Daily Functioning?", "answerCount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" }, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Though your doctor may clearly define the type of paralysis you have, the truth is that paralysis is an unpredictable illness. Tetraplegia for one person may look quite different from tetraplegia in another person. Your symptoms may change over time, and there is no way to fully predict how paralysis will affect you. In addition to movement impairments, though, some of the symptoms that commonly accompany paralysis include: Joint and muscle pain. When you can't move one portion of your body, the muscles that are attached to it can become stiff and painful. Phantom pain. You may feel electrical or tingling sensations in the affected area, even if you can't move it. Difficulties with using the bathroom. You may need to use a catheter or ostomy bag. Changes in sexual functioning or fertility. Difficulty breathing without assistance. Changes in weight and body composition, particularly if you are unable to exercise; this can lead to other complications, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Bedsores, particularly if you do not regularly stretch or exercise. Increased vulnerability to infections, particularly respiratory infections. You may suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, frequent colds, and other medical ailments.", "upvotecount": 1, "dateCreated": "2020-12-02", "url": "https://www.spinalcord.com/paralysis", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Spinalcord.com Team" } } } } ```