Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department offers comprehensive services to patients that have sustained a spinal cord injury. This includes services during the acute hospital stay, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient rehabilitation. Our program addresses the complexity of spinal cord injury including paraplegia, tetraplegia, bowel and bladder dysfunction, spasticity, and neurological recovery.
Why is rehabilitation important?
Our goal is to begin early intervention to optimize a patient's independence at home and in the community. We strive to improve physical function, mobility, and activities of daily living through the use of strategies, skills and adaptive technology. Education is provided throughout the rehabilitation process to patients and family members to maximize recovery and general health. Support will also be provided by psychologists and social workers to address any emotional, cognitive or adjustment needs.
Acute Care
Upstate Medical University is a large academic hospital that provides evidence-based care using the latest technology to facilitate your neurological recovery and independence after a spinal cord injury. Our team of experts will work together to create a plan to get you to return to home, community, and work/school activities as soon as possible. You will receive excellent medical care at one of our two Campuses (University Hospital and Community Hospital). You may find yourself in need of services from our skilled therapy staff which include the following professionals:
- Occupational Therapists: Occupational Therapists (OT) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and treating your current physical, cognitive (thinking), visual, social, and emotional status as it relates to returning to independence with your daily activities, leisure activities, school, or work.
- Speech and Language Pathologists: Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and treating difficulties with feeding and swallowing, respiration, speech, language, and cognition (thinking).
- Physical Therapists: Physical Therapists (PT) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and treating difficulties with strength, balance, sensation, and coordination. A physical therapist will customize your therapy program based on your individual needs and goals. This training typically includes practice with bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair skills, education on braces and cervical collars, and walking. Our training utilizes the latest technology such as body weight support treadmill training to promote your neurological recovery.
What can you expect from your stay?
- The above therapy providers can/may be consulted by your medical provider (MD, NP, PA) during your stay in the hospital.
- There are therapy providers from all three disciplines here 7 days a week to provide evaluation and treatment as needed.
- You may receive all of the above services or only require 1 or 2 services during your stay.
- Therapists are focused on evaluating and treating you during your stay, making patient-centered goals, and making appropriate discharge recommendations for you and your family.
- Therapists can also make recommendations regarding equipment needs for discharge home.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Upstate Medical University Hospital has provided expert acute inpatient rehabilitation for over 30 years. The 2 North Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Upstate University Hospital has 30 beds and admits Adult and Pediatric Rehabilitation patients. Our patients receive specialized care from a highly skilled and dedicated team of rehabilitation professionals including nurses, therapists, case managers, and board-certified physicians.
The goal of the Rehabilitation Team is to help patients become as independent as possible. We assist individuals with overcoming barriers presented by functional limitations in mobility, self-care, communication, swallowing, and cognition.
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- The rehabilitation team may include:
- Occupational therapists
- Physical therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Rehabilitation therapist
- Recreational therapist
- Board certified doctors
- Case management
- Rehabilitation psychologist
- Social work
- Registered Nurses/Nursing staff
- The rehabilitation team may include:
What can you expect from your stay?
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- A patient is admitted to the inpatient rehabilitation unit from the acute care setting.
- Within 24 hours of admission to the inpatient rehabilitation unit, the patient will receive physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy evaluation
- The patient will receive at least 3 hours of therapy a day for a minimum of 5 days a week
- Patients may also receive therapy on the weekend
- Patients are provided with 24-hour nursing care
- Physicians are on call 24 hours a day
- Preparing for your stay:
- Patients can bring the following:
- Loose-fitting, washable clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Pajamas
- If used: dentures, hearing aids with batteries, glasses
- Cosmetics and toiletries you would like to use
- Photographs of family, friends, and pets
- Please leave valuables at home, including jewelry and other items of sentimental value
- Patients can bring the following:
- Family and Friends
- We encourage family and patient caregivers to participate in therapy sessions and learn about your care
- Therapy appointments may start as early as 7 am and may not end until 4 pm
- Many patients need to rest in between appointments, so we ask that friends come after therapy ends at 4 pm
- Children are welcome to visit but must be supervised by an adult visitor
- Visiting hours end at 9 pm
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Outpatient Spinal Cord Rehabilitation
- Our outpatient rehabilitation team has experience working with clients with spinal cord injuries to continue to expand their independence in the home and community while optimizing their neurological recovery. We are dedicated to providing personalized comprehensive and collaborative care for every patient. We utilize best practices, evidence, goals, and the latest technology to guide your treatment.
- Treatments may include functional mobility training, casting/splinting, therapeutic exercise, modalities, aquatics, locomotor training using robotics or body weight support therapy, cognitive retraining, ADL training, and initiating home and community exercise programs.
- Our rehabilitation team includes
- Occupational Therapist: Occupational Therapists (OT) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and remediating your current physical, cognitive (thinking), visual, social, and emotional status as it relates to returning to independence with your daily activities, leisure activities, school, or work.
- Speech Language Pathologist: Speech and Language Pathologists (SLP) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and remediating difficulties with feeding and swallowing, speech, language, and cognition (thinking).
- Our rehabilitation team includes
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- Physical Therapist: Physical Therapists (PT) are medical professionals specially trained in evaluating and treating difficulties with strength, balance, sensation, and coordination. A physical therapist will customize your therapy program based on your individual needs and goals. This training typically includes practice with bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair skills, and walking while utilizing the latest technology such as body weight support treadmill training, and electrical stimulation to promote your neurological recovery. We also collaborate with vendors to complete trials of equipment such as wheelchairs, standing frames, bioness, walk-aide, and re-walk exoskeleton.
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- Rehabilitation Counselor: A rehabilitation counselor assists persons with physical, mental, developmental, cognitive, and emotional disabilities to achieve their personal, career, and independent living goals in the most integrated setting possible through the application of the counseling process.
- A physician’s referral is required for examination and treatment within this program.
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- Preparing for your first visit
- Wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear (closed-toed shoes)
- The first visit is to complete an initial evaluation, including medical history, objective measures, and functional testing to establish an appropriate treatment plan and home exercise program
- Bring any braces or splints you are currently using or have been given in the past
- Bring current medication list, test results, and surgical history
- A physician's referral is required for evaluation and treatment within this program.
Services are provided by an interdisciplinary team including occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, neuropsychologists, vocational therapists, and physicians.
Treatments in therapy may include:
- Activities of daily living and independent living skills
- Recommendations of Assistive or Adaptive Equipment
- Bed mobility and transfer training
- Ambulation training
- Balance and coordination training
- Strengthening and Range of Motion
- Splinting/orthotics
- Wheelchair Assessment
- Wheelchair skills training
- Bowel and bladder management
- Home modifications/setup
- Family Training
- Spinal Cord Injury Education
- Tone Management
- Vocational services—return to work and school
- Cognitive retraining
- Vision Testing and Retraining
- Speech and swallowing training
- Neuropsychology Testing
Latest technology and treatments
Helpful Links:
Locations:

Upstate University Hospital
Map & directions
Rm. N2104
750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-4:30pm

Upstate Bone and Joint Center
Map & directions
Suite 201
6620 Fly Road, East Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 8am-6pm

Manlius Health Center
Map & directions
Suite 200
102 West Seneca Street, Manlius, NY 13104
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 8am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7:30am-6pm

Institute For Human Performance (IHP)
Map & directions
1st Fl.
505 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon. Wed. Fri. - 7am-4:30pm; Tues. Thurs. - 7am-6pm

Upstate Rehabilitation at Western Lights
Map & directions
Suite B-100
4671 Onondaga Boulevard, Syracuse, NY 13219
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: M, W: 8:00am - 4:30pm Tues & Thurs: 8:00am - 6:00pm Fri: 7:30am - 4pm

Upstate Community Hospital
Map & directions
4900 Broad Road, Syracuse, NY 13215
Phone: 315 464-6543
Fax: 315 464-4753
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7am-4pm

Township 5 Camillus
Map & directions
Suite 500
208 Township Blvd, Camillus, NY 13031
Phone: 315 464-6543
Providers

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MA: SUNY College at Cortland, 2009, Therapeutic Recreation
- BA: SUNY Binghamton, 2006, Psychology
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Pediatric Brain Trauma; Stroke; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; more
315 464-2282
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Physical Therapy; Neurology; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; more
315 464-2282
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Keuka University, 2014, Occupational Therapy
- BS: Keuka University, 2013, Occupational Science
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Occupational Medicine; Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Concussion; moreResearch Interests
- Concussion in Youth Sports
- Effects of Concussion post trauma on recovery
- Brain Injury
- Trauma
- Vestibular Disorders and Dizziness
Education Interests
- Occupational Therapy Education
Clinical Interests
- Neurorehabilitation
- Orthopedics
- Surgery/Trauma
- Concussion/Cognition
- Vestbular/Dizziness

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- DPT: Upstate University Hospital, 2016
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Physical Therapy; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Spinal Cord Injury; Stroke; Torticollis; Pediatric Physical Therapy; more
315 464-2282
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Utica College, 2011, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Alzheimer's Disease - Dementia; Amputation; Brain Cancer; Brain Injury; moreEducation Interests
Stroke treatment
Vision treatment
Clinical Interests
neuro rehab, stroke, TBI

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- OTR: Chatham University, 2017, Occupational Therapy Doctorial
- MS: Quinnipiac College, 2010
- BS: Keuka University, 2004, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Occupational Therapy
315 464-6543
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Adult; Amputation; Blurred Vision; Brachial Plexus Injury; Brain Aneurysm; more
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2017, Occupational Therapy
- BS: Nazareth College of Rochester, 2016, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Occupational Therapy - Pediatrics; Occupational Therapy - Adult; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; All Cancers and Hematological Conditions; moreClinical Interests
Neurology and Pediatrics

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- DPT: Upstate University Hospital, 2015
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Body Weight Support Treadmill Training, Physical Therapy; Pediatric Physical Therapy
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- DPT: SUNY Buffalo, 2009
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Physical Therapy; Amputation; Brain Injury; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); Muscular Dystrophies; Spinal Cord Injury; more
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Columbia University, 1997, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Aneurysm; Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Concussion; Multiple Sclerosis (MS); more
315 464-2282
Education & Fellowships
- BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1988, Physical Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Physical Therapy; Dizziness and Vertigo; Body Weight Support Treadmill Training, Physical Therapy; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Cardiac Rehabilitation; Chronic Disease Management; moreEducation Interests
Health and wellness, Aging and longevity
Clinical Interests
Burns, SCI, neurological disorders, balance, seating and positioning, TBI

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- BS: SUNY Buffalo, 1992, Occupational Therapy
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Adult Patients; Acute & Chronic Diseases and Conditions in Pediatric Patients; Amputation; Brain Injury; Stroke; more
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- PhD: Syracuse University, 2004, Rehabilitation Counseling
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Brain Injury; Brain Injury Rehabilitation; Vocational Rehabilitation
315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- MS: Syracuse University, 2009, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS); Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders; Speech Pathology; Brain Injury; Stroke; Swallowing Difficulty or Dysphagia; moreAssociations/Memberships
- American Speech -Language -Hearing Association

315 464-6543
Education & Fellowships
- OTR: Keuka University, 2001
Diseases/Specialties/Treatments
Brain Injury; Brain Tumor; Stroke; Occupational Therapy