What is Spinal Electrical Stimulation?
The spinal electrical stimulation program for Spina Bifida (SB) was developed in 2017 by Gerti Motavalli PT, MPT along with Dr. Gad Alon PT, Ph.D., an internationally recognized researcher in electrical stimulation. Spinal electrical stimulation is achieved through the use of an electrical stimulation unit providing electrical current through electrodes attached to specific areas of the body to stimulate muscle movement. Research has been published in the online research journal Child Neurology Open in 2019. Several other articles and TV segments about spinal stimulation have been produced. Videos and information are posted on Ms. Motavalli’s Facebook and Instagram pages and our List of Resources can be accessed here.
Ms. Motavalli has treated over 140 children with SB so far. She is also consulting with many other PTs who are using her treatment protocol throughout the US, and many other countries around the world. She has also developed an online course for practitioners to get trained in spinal stimulation.
Who can benefit from spinal stimulation?
Children with Spina Bifida have been shown to benefit from spinal electrical stimulation. Progress has been observed in children ages 3 months to 13 years. So far no upper age limit has been established. Infants can begin as early as 3 months once their surgical scar is healed.
Here’s what happens during spinal stimulation:
• Electrodes are placed over the spinal cord and on the bottom of the feet.
• The e-stim unit gives electrical impulses from the lower back to the legs, like nerves would do to activate muscles. The muscles will contract in response.
• The family is instructed in how to use the stimulation at home, initially 20 minutes and later up to 2×30 minutes daily.
• During the spinal stimulation the child can sit, play or lie around and read books, watch TV, or stand in the stander.
• Parental supervision is needed but besides placing the electrodes and starting the unit there is no other work needed from the parent.
Who can do spinal stim?
- Persons with spina bifida or spinal cord injury, CP and other motor problems
- Children 3 months and older, starting earlier is better due to neuroplasticity when more regeneration is possible
- There is no upper age to see some benefits
- Spinal stim can be done with most spinal cysts, programmable VP shunt, metal from surgeries
- Spinal stim should not be done with people who have pacemakers, VNS or other implanted electronically controlled devices, pregnancy, or cancer
Links to detailed informational brochures for clients and professionals: