Paralysis was the inability to move. Sutekh was imprisoned and paralysed in a tomb in Egypt; he used Marcus Scarman as his arms and legs to free himself. (TV: Pyramids of Mars)
Paralysis could occur from particularly violent movement or experiences; the Fourth Doctor was concerned that Sarah Jane Smith was paralysed following the two of them being caught in a quarry mine explosion. (TV: The Hand of Fear) The Fifth Doctor was once paralyzed after his spine broke during a spaceship crash. (AUDIO: Devil in the Mist) Violent physical fighting and contact with points like the solar plexus could leave humans momentarily paralysed. (PROSE: Blood Harvest)
Jackie MacLean was paralysed as a result of a car accident perpetrated by her husband. (TV: Nightvisiting) Jackie since got around in a wheelchair, and adapted to her new condition. Her daughter April took care of her. (TV: For Tonight We Might Die)
Biologically induced paralysis[]
Paralysis could also result from biological contact, with several substances being able to induce it. Unprotected contact with a spectrox nest resulted in spectrox toxaemia, beginning with a rash, followed by spasms then slow paralysis of spinal nerves and finally thermal death point. (TV: The Caves of Androzani)
Paralysis was a symptom of tetrodotoxin poisoning. (PROSE: Cat's Cradle: Warhead)
Paxx-Sinopli syndrome resulted in partial paralysis and then eventual death from cerebral emancipation. (PROSE: Dark Progeny)
Biological paralysis was not always fatal. Sleep paralysis was a method by which the human body prevented humans acting out their dreams whilst asleep. (PROSE: Dry Pilgrimage)
Technologically induced paralysis[]
Weapons technology could also be used to paralyse. The Sensorites', (TV: The Sensorites) the Quarks' (TV: The Dominators) and the Daleks' weapons (TV: "The Survivors") could be used to paralyse individuals.
Earth-based technology could also induce paralysis. Through the use of a taser gun or a stun gun, an individual could be stunned or paralysed, unable to move. (PROSE: Just War, Eternity Weeps, TV: End of Days)
The Security Drudgers on Space Dock Nerva were armed with paralysis beams. One Drudger used its beam to temporarily immobilise Leela when she tried to attack it. (AUDIO: Destination: Nerva)
On Wengrol, Yend biologists used a device to paralyse the First Doctor and take him as a specimen. They undid his paralysis once he was inside. (PROSE: The Sons of the Crab)