Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling good for people with spinal cord injury

A new study by Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (Epub ahead of print) finds that long-term lower extremity functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, as part of a rehabilitation regimen, is associated with substantial improvements in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

Improvements include neurological and functional gains, as well as enhanced physical health demonstrated by decreased fat, increased muscle mass and improved lipid profile. Prior to this study’s publication today in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, the benefits of activity-based restorative therapy (ABRT) programs, such as FES cycling, were largely anecdotal despite publicity in conjunction with the recovery of actor and activist Christopher Reeve. Continue Reading »

SCI Total Fitness

SCI Total Fitness online spinal cord injury exercise program. We all know how important it is to get exercise. We also know the challenges many people have in getting to a gym and finding appropriate equipment. Now everyone can get a good workout at home!

2 new workouts posted EVERY WEEK!! A cardio routine AND an interval strength routine. Continue Reading »

Beyond The Chair

Beyond The Chair exists to provide an improved quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disabilities through intensive exercise programs to enhance overall functional capacity.

Exercise may help prevent infection for paraplegic individuals

medwireNews: Results from a pilot study suggest that a moderate amount of exercise may result in enhanced immunity in paraplegic athletes.

As individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are known to be susceptible to recurrent infections, such as those of the respiratory tract, skin, and urinary tract, regular exercise may help minimize infection risks in this group of people, suggest the researchers. Continue Reading »

Aquatic therapy

Ancient Egyptians knew it, Greek philosopher and writer Hippocrates was talking about it over 2,400 years ago and physicians of the Roman Empire recommended it. The amazing effect of water therapy, or aquatic therapy, is working to improve the lives of children with a wide range of disabilities. The only side effect appears to be smiles. Continue Reading »

Uh Study Focuses on Immunity, Infection, Exercise and Spinal Cord Injured Patients

TIRR Foundation Funds Research Professors in Department of Health and Human Performance

HOUSTON, TX – Mobility is a challenge for spinal cord injured patients. Infection is another. Adam Thrasher, assistant professor of health and human performance (HHP), says infection is the leading cause of death for people living with spinal cord injuries for two years or more. He and HHP colleague Richard Simpson are investigating why the immune system is blunted after a spinal cord injury. Continue Reading »

Florida Strength Training Facility Offering Hope for Worldwide Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke Clients

NORTH PALM BEACH, FL – NeuroXcel is being sought after by people around the world who have suffered strokes, spinal cord injuries or other neurological disorders.

NeuroXcel is a unique and state-of-the-art strength training facility in Palm Beach County. All of their research-backed training equipment is used to help clients from Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, California, Canada, Trinidad, and Poland to optimize their recovery. Continue Reading »

Man opens rehabilitation centre in Regina to help those with spinal cord injuries

Chris Lesanko is standing and extending his arm for a handshake as the interview begins.

The small gesture wouldn’t normally be all that remarkable, but Lesanko is a quadriplegic who spends most of his day in a wheelchair.

His upright position is the result of a standing frame, a mechanical device that takes him from sitting to standing, putting his leg muscles to work and benefiting from blood circulation. The increased range of motion with his arms is the result of hard work.

And a lot of that progress was achieved in Carlsbad, Calif., at Project Walk, an intensive exercise and wellness program geared to those with spinal cord injuries. Continue Reading »

Patients rave about spinal-cord therapy, but insurance won’t cover it

Families of two paralyzed Bay State teens are calling on insurance companies to step up and fund the life-altering therapy that they say has given their sons new hope, but is painfully out of grasp for so many other families.

“It is a shame that insurance doesn’t cover it,” said Michael Brown, who uses donations from the community to pay the $100-an-hour bill for his son, paralyzed Norwood hockey player Matt Brown, to get therapy at Journey Forward, a Canton rehabilitation center. Continue Reading »

Spinal Cord Injury Victim and Role Model Brings Essential Treatment Options to the Bay Area

SCI-FIT ((Spinal Cord Injury Functional Integrated Therapy) is open for business in its new location. SCI-FIT is Northern California’s only facility that provides comprehensive, post-traditional, exercise based therapy for individuals who have suffered a debilitating injury. SCI-FIT is a philanthropic endeavor and even offered Chris Rodriguez – the young boy paralyzed by a stray bullet at his piano lesson in Oakland – almost one year of free training. Today Chris is walking with leg braces. Continue Reading »