Category Archives: Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Spinal Decompression Treatment is non-invasive and provides gentle decompression of the disc through the use of a decompression table. You are strapped to the table so that as it moves, it applies a distraction force to the targeted area of the spine (the compressed disc). This gently pulls the spine apart, elongating it and creating a small vacuum between the vertebrae that pulls the disc back into shape. The DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression uses a computerized program with specific parameters, angles, and weights of pull. Distraction must be offset by cycles of partial relaxation. The system continuously monitors spinal resistance and adjusts distraction forces accordingly. A specific cervical or lumbar segment can be targeted for treatment by changing the angle of distraction. This patented technique of decompression may prevent muscle spasms and patient guarding. Also with genuine decompression, the pressure within the disc space can actually be lowered to about negative 150 mmHg. As a result, the damaged discs will be rehydrated with nutrients and oxygen. Much like a repetitive stress injury, the decompression works in very minute increments. But over time, that adds up and lets the disc reshape itself, heal, and get the proper flow of nutrients to … Continue reading →

Carlsbad, CA (PRWEB) October 15, 2013 SCI Business Solutions Inc., the exclusive operator and franchisor of Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center announces a new three-year partnership with innovator and industry leader Performance Health Systems LLC., the owner and global distributor of Power Plate and bioDensity. Through this strategic partnership, clients of Project Walk franchises will have unlimited access to custom designed Power Plate equipment which is based on scientifically-proven exercise protocols using Advanced Vibration technology. Based on the reflexive neuromuscular engagement that occurs as a result of the destabilizing effect of high-speed vibration, exercising on Power Plate has been shown to stimulate the natural production of the growth hormone that maintains tissue repair, muscle growth, brain function and other regenerative body activities. Project Walk maintains its reputation as the world leader in spinal cord injury recovery by setting itself apart through activity-based programs in conjunction with using state-of-the-art equipment, research and methodology development. Partnering with Performance Health Systems LLC. ensures all our franchise centers will have the best equipment, training, and performance systems in the industry, says Tim Yates, SCI Business Solutions Inc., President and CEO. In addition to providing franchise locations with custom branded Power Plate pro7 … Continue reading →

David Wilson (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) By Abby Sims More Columns David Wilson was scheduled to see Los Angeles spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins on Monday for a second opinion on his neck. Wilson, who reportedly commented that he is currently symptom free, left the Giants game on Sept. 30 after a cervical injury resulted in transient numbness. The diagnosis that resulted from precautionary x-rays was spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the canal that houses the spinal cord. Though studies have questioned the reliability of using x-rays to determine the diameter of the cervical canal, they remain one method of attempting to do so. Narrowing of the spinal canal can be congenital (a condition present from birth) or can be due to spondylosis, which is a combination of degenerative disc disease and the formation of osteophytes, which are bony protrusions that can develop in this case, on the vertebrae. Spondylosis generally occurs in the over-40 population and is most common at the lower levels of the cervical spine. Wilson, who is just 22, commented that he was told one of his vertebrae rests too close to his spinal cord. Whether or not he is ultimately cleared to … Continue reading →

Newswise LA JOLLA, CA - The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has selected Axel Nimmerjahn for a highly competitive EUREKA (Exceptional Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration) grant. Dr. Nimmerjahn is an Assistant Professor in the Waitt Advanced Biophotonics Center and holds the Richard Allan Barry Developmental Chair. The award, in the amount of $1.38M over four years, will support Dr. Nimmerjahns goal of better understanding the relationship between spinal cord physiology and brain activity and behavior. Data from this research should foster development of new treatment and rehabilitation strategies for spinal cord injury, tumors, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular dystrophy. The EUREKA program was conceived specifically to assist scientists such as Dr. Nimmerjahn to test new, innovative ideas or tackle major methodological or technical challenges. NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., says that, "EUREKA awards reflect the NIH's continued commitment to funding transformative research, even if it carries more than the usual degree of scientific risk. The grants seek to elicit those 'eureka moments' when scientists make major theoretical or technical advances." One of the technical advances included in Dr. Nimmerjahns study will be the development of new tools and approaches … Continue reading →

The hockey community is rallying around Michigan teen Matt Sorisho -- Twitter The NHL community is rallying around a Michigan teen who suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Catholic Central High (Novi, Mich.) senior forward Matt Sorisho, 17, broke his back when a defenseman spun him as he skated full speed toward the goal and careened into the boards in a Michigan Development Hockey League all-star game, multiple media outlets reported. Upon hearing the news, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock visited Sorisho at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills, Mich. Babcock's son Michael played on the same line as Sorisho last winter, when as a junior the 17-year-old led the Shamrocks in scoring during their run to the state title game. Mike Babcock has been awesome, Detroit Catholic Central hockey coach Doug Itami told the Detroit Free Press. Theyve been very supportive, and the hockey community always wraps their arms around you when something like this happens. Similarly, Phoenix Coyotes forward David Moss, who graduated from Catholic Central in 2000, met the Sorisho family and even donned Matt's No. 18 Shamrocks jersey during warmups of their game against the Red Wings in … Continue reading →

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (NVIV), a drug delivery company with a focus on technologies for thetreatment of spinal cord injuries(SCI) and neurotrauma conditions, today announced that Lou Vaickus, MD has been appointed as interim Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective October 15, 2013, for a period of one year. Currently, Dr. Vaickus is President of akta Pharmaceutical Development LLC. Prior to that, he served as Vice President and Head, Clinical Development, Global Medicines Development and Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Before joining Vertex, Dr. Vaickus was CMO of Tolerx, Inc. from 2002 to 2011. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs and R&D at Sunovion (formerly Sepracor) from 1998 to 2002, and as Medical Director at EMD Serono (formerly Ares Serono) from 1993 to 1998. In these roles, Dr. Vaickus successfully led the development of products in multiple therapeutic areas. Michael Astrue, the interim CEO of InVivo, stated, We are excited to have Dr. Vaickus join us at this critical juncture in the companys development. With his judgment and experience, he will help us bring our scaffold product into the clinic, he will help us define the best opportunities for our hydrogel technology, and he will help … Continue reading →

Stem Cells injected into Caleb's spinal cord This video was taken during the injection process of Caleb's stem cell treatment. It was shot by Dr. Zannos Grekos on Friday, September 27, 2013 in the Domin... By: Caleb Bartlett … Continue reading →

stethoscope.jpg Gerlaine Moult visited Middlemore Hospital's emergency department four times in 2011 with symptoms including severe headaches, a stiff neck and numbness on one side. The Pukekohe woman was told she was stressed and needed a holiday. After paying for a private MRI at a cost of $2500, she was diagnosed with a 5cm by 7cm tumour at the base of her skull, compressing her spinal cord. The tumour was removed, leaving her paralysed. The 32-year-old has since regained her mobility but still suffers from weakness on one side and a lack of sensation on the other. However ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) says her outcome was not affected by the delay in diagnosing the tumour. ACC spokeswoman Stephanie Melville said the corporation acknowledged the failure to provide adequate treatment, but Mrs Moult did not sustain a personal injury as a result. In reaching the decision, clinical records were considered along with external clinical advice from a GP, emergency medicine specialist, neurologist and neurosurgeon. ACC found the care provided by Mrs Moult's GP in May 2011 was appropriate. "After considering the clinical evidence and opinions, we found there was a failure to provide adequate treatment when Mrs Moult presented to the … Continue reading →

Newswise Schaumburg, IL, Oct. 1, 2013 The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) will offer a bold new educational format at its Annual Meeting, October 19-23, 2013, at the Moscone West Convention Center in San Francisco. For the first time, Controversy Sessions one each on Oct. 21, 22 and 23 will provide a forum for leading neurosurgeons to debate different treatment approaches for three of the most challenging topics facing the field today. This type of dialogue is critical for continuing education in our field, said Ali R. Rezai, MD, President of CNS. Objective examination of different approaches to the treatment of neurosurgical disease will challenge us to open our minds to new perspectives, embrace the best of what past experience and the latest technology provide, and encourage us to push the envelope on what is possible. Spinal Cord Injuries and the Debate Related to Steroid Use Monday, Oct. 21, 8:00 a.m. R. John Hurlbert vs. Michael G. Fehlings Moderator: James S. Harrop In March of this year, the Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves of the CNS and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons issued a recommendation against the use of steroids in acute spinal cord … Continue reading →

Franklin, TN (PRWEB) September 29, 2013 This two-day advanced physical therapy continuing education course is designed to provide progressive concepts to the medical professional involved in the rehabilitation management of the spinal cord-injured patient with respect to specific understanding of spasticity/flaccidity and mixed tonal syndromes. Understanding the complex and multilayered neurophysiological changes of sensory and motor neurons and muscle tissue following spinal cord injury is essential to understanding how to utilize spasticity/flaccidity and developing volitional control of motor output in a functional manner. Further utilizing the healing and learning capacity that we now know exists in the spinal cord is the cornerstone for neuro-recovery. Expecting a higher level of functional outcome requires a paradigm shift in our traditional thought process. The focus of discussion in this course will be on current treatment approaches related to managing tone as a major portion of SCI rehabilitation. Special emphasis will be placed on specific evaluation skills using standardized and modified testing techniques. Spasticity management including utilizing assessment tools, identifying neural vs. non-neural origins of spasticity, and advances in local and systemic medical intervention will be discussed. Participants will also be exposed to state of the art information to enhance their understanding of the … Continue reading →