Revolutionary Non-Invasive Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Improves Hand Strength and Sensation – Now Available in Metro Detroit

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Walk The Line Recovery Therapy Is First in Michigan to Introduce Revolutionary Non-Invasive Treatment for People with Spinal Cord Injury.

 Walk The Line Recovery Therapy, a Southfield, Mich. based world-leading rehabilitation clinic for outpatient physical and occupational therapy for people with neurological diagnoses including spinal cord injury, brain injury and Multiple Sclerosis, today announced the acquisition of the groundbreaking ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical, becoming the first facility in Michigan to offer this FDA-approved therapy for people with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI). The ARC-EX System is the first and only FDA-approved non-invasive technology clinically proven to improve hand strength and sensation for individuals with SCI. This milestone represents a new era of hope for the SCI Community, who previously had limited options for functional recovery after their injury.

“This is the first time I’ve seen something that is truly focused on actual recovery, not just adaptation, but change,” said Erica Coulston, president and co-founder of Walk The Line Recovery Therapy and a spinal cord injury survivor and advocate since her injury nearly 25 years ago. After just two weeks using ARC-EX herself, Coulston has seen significant improvement in her hand function and sensation as her body remaps neurons to create new connections. “In all my years, I have not seen many options that can produce game-changing outcomes –and this may ultimately be the tip of the iceberg for recovery.” For a video of Coulston’s progress and other Walk The Line Recovery Therapy information, click here.

How the ARC-EX System Works

The ARC-EX System delivers programmed electrical stimulation through the skin to the spinal cord via electrodes placed on the back of the neck. This non-invasive approach requires no surgery, unlike other spinal cord stimulation devices. During therapy sessions, people with SCI use the device while performing functional tasks guided by trained rehabilitation specialists. Designed for clinical use, the system supports up to one hour of daily therapy and complements specialized rehabilitation exercises.

The Up-LIFT clinical study published in Nature Medicine showed that 90% of participants improved in upper limb strength or function, with 87% reporting enhanced quality of life. Additional benefits included reduced spasm frequency, improved sleep quality, and better upper body sensation. Regaining hand function is consistently rated as the highest treatment priority for people with spinal cord injuries, as it directly impacts independence in daily activities like eating, dressing, and personal care.

The ARC-EX System is now available at Walk The Line Recovery Therapy for its rehabilitation clients with chronic, non-progressive spinal cord injuries (C2-C8 inclusive) who are between the ages of 18 and 75 years-old as part of their overall rehabilitation therapy.

The ARC-EX System was selected as a TIME Magazine Best Invention in 2024 and has received FDA Breakthrough Device designation.

For more information, contact Walk The Line Recovery Therapy at www.wtlrecovery.com or call (248) 827-1100.

About Walk The Line Recovery Therapy

Walk The Line Recovery Therapy is a Southfield, Mich. based world-leading rehabilitation clinic for outpatient physical and occupational therapy for people with neurological diagnoses including spinal cord injury, brain injury and Multiple Sclerosis. Walk The Line Recovery Therapy is a leading authority in neuro rehabilitation and recovery. Using evidence-based neuroplastic principles, our innovative Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) the Walk The Line Recovery Therapy team creates effective treatment options for a client’s unique situation. We are a community focusing on determination, perseverance, recovery, hope, compassion, and functionality. The facility boasts nearly 75 pieces of cutting-edge therapy equipment including the ONWARD® Medical ARC-EX System and is firmly grounded in evidence-based treatments for neuromuscular and motor recovery. The team has successfully achieved over 2,000 client-centered goals and provided intensive therapy programs to more than 400 clients. Erica Coulston, and a spinal cord injury survivor and advocate since her injury nearly 25 years ago, and her family own and operate Walk The Line Recovery Therapy. A dedicated team of professional therapists make Walk The Line Recovery Therapy the place of hope, innovation, and recovery that Coulston once envisioned.