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Motor neuron diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gherigs disease), progressive muscle atrophy, and primary lateral sclerosis are conditions where neurons in the central and/or peripheral nervous system degenerate causing progressive muscle weakness. As symptoms progress, adaptive equipment can be used to promote continued walking, weight bearing through the legs, maintain respiratory function, and maintain skin integrity. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for management of motor neuron disease.

• Erigo
• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• RT300
• Xcite, L300

Cerebral palsy is caused by changes in the developing brain before, during, or after birth that disrupt the ability of the brain to control movement, posture, and balance. Resulting symptoms can include lack of coordination, weakness, spasticity, low muscle tone, tremors, and overall delays in reaching motor milestones as the person progresses into childhood and adolescence. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Cerebral palsy rehabilitation.

• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• Vector
• BITS
• Alter G

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear on each side of the skull, assists with balance by sensing motion and positioning in space. The brain closely monitors input from the vestibular system, the visual system, and the rest of the body to maintain equilibrium. Symptoms can be a result of an injury such as a concussion or have a gradual onset.  Our therapists are trained to identify which system is contributing to a person's symptoms of dizziness or imbalance.

• Vector
• BITS
• Insight Goggles

Functional Neurologic Disorder is a condition where the brain has not acquired an injury, but the brain networks function differently in response to a triggering event. Symptoms can vary widely from seizure-like activity, tremors, imbalance, dizziness, incoordination, and many more. Physical therapy is crucial to re-train motor movements and re-learn lost abilities that may include walking, stair climbing, balancing, and performing tasks with your hands.

Our care team will evaluate each person's specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Functional Neurologic Disorders:

• Vector
• Alter G
• BITS
• RT300
• Xcite
• Blaze Pods
   

Guillain-Barre and other neuropathies or polyneuropathies involve the immune system attacking nerves in the peripheral nervous system, causing weakness and sensory changes in the hands, arms, feet and legs. Persons with Guillain-Barre may have temporary symptoms with full recovery of function, while others may experience permanent changes in their strength and sensation, ability to perform daily activities, ability to walk independently, etc. Some neuropathies are chronic and will continue to progress, making it important for persons with progressive neuropathies to seek treatment as their function changes to ensure they are using the right tools and strategies to stay mobile.

• Vector
• RT300
• Xcite
• L300

Long COVID includes a wide range of ongoing symptoms or conditions that can last up to years after COVID-19 illness, with some evidence suggesting that the autonomic nervous system is affected. Symptoms include breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, and orthostatic intolerance or difficulty regulating blood pressure with position changes. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Long COVID rehabilitation

• Alter G
• Blaze Pods
• BITS

Multiple Sclerosis is chronic autoimmune disease where the bodys immune system attacks the protective covering surrounding certain types of nervous system cells (neurons). Once these connections are impaired, neurologic symptoms such as muscle weakness, spasticity, sensory changes, fatigue and heat intolerance can occur. Similar to other neurologic conditions, the symptoms vary from a person maintaining the ability to be independent, to requiring assistive devices to stay mobile, while others may need assistance from family or friends for daily activities. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation.

• Vector
• L300
• RT300
• Alter G
• Indego Ekso

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration. The genes responsible for muscle structure and function have mutations causing the muscle cells to be replaced with fibrous, fatty tissue. This leads to gradual weakening of skeletal and cardiac muscle, enlarged calf muscles, waddling walking pattern, falls, changes in posture, and breathing difficulties. Myopathies describe conditions where the skeletal muscle function is lost due to a variety of sources, but ultimately the person experiences fatigue, muscle atrophy, loss of strength over a gradual period of time. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Muscular Dystrophy and myopathy rehabilitation.

• Erigo
• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• Vector

Parkinsons is a movement disorder caused by the loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain, specifically the basal ganglia which is involved in movement, learning, cognition and emotion. Physical therapy treatment focuses on movement and cognitive symptoms of Parkinsons which include slowed movements, foot shuffling, unsteady walking, forward-stooped posture, and difficulty with performing “dual-tasking” which involves more cognitive functions. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Parkinsons rehabilitation.

• Indego Ekso
• Vector
• BITS

The spinal cord is the connecting pathway between the brain and the body. Injury to this “highway” can result in muscle weakness, spasticity, sensory loss, bowel/bladder dysfunction, blood pressure dysregulation, and more. Depending on the level of the spinal cord injury, the legs, torso, arms, and neck can all be affected. Similarly to stroke, spinal cord injuries can result in minor changes in function, but also cause life-altering mobility challenges. The spinal cord, like the brain, has a remarkable feature called neuroplasticity that allows it to be “re-wired” and adapt to changes. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for spinal cord rehabilitation.

• Erigo
• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• Rifton E-Pacer
• Vector, RT300

A stroke is caused by loss of blood flow to brain areas long enough to damage brain tissue. After effects from a stroke vary between muscle weakness, tightness, sensation loss, communication limitations, and cognition changes. Severity of symptoms can range from minor changes in function to life-altering challenges. The brain has a remarkable feature called neuroplasticity that allows it to be “re-wired” and adapt to changes. With the right environment, equipment, support, and motivation, improvements can happen at any stage of recovery. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate a person's specific needs and fit that person to the appropriate equipment. See below for some examples of the equipment used for stroke rehabilitation.

• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• Rifton E-Pacer
• Vector
• L300
• Xcite
• Blaze Pods
• BITS

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by external force to the head from a forceful impact or an object entering the skull cavity. The resulting symptoms vary from short term difficulties with thinking, understanding, movement, and communication all the way to lifelong mobility and cognitive challenges.The brain has a remarkable feature called neuroplasticity that allows it to be “re-wired” and adapt to changes. With the right environment, equipment, support, and motivation, improvements can happen at any stage of recovery. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for TBI rehabilitation.

• Erigo
• Lokomat
• Indego Ekso
• Rifton E-Pacer
• Vector
• RT300, BITS

Learning to function with a prosthetic limb has many challenges, and many benefits! Fear of falling, needing to use an assistive device for the first time, and constantly making adjustments to the device are just a few hurdles. The body weight support offered by the Vector and the Alter G create a safer environment for new users to accommodate to their prosthetic and become independent with its use. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for limb amputation rehabilitation.

• Vector
• Alter G
• BITS

Osteoarthritis of the joints in the legs can make walking and daily activities such as squatting down and stair navigation more difficult. People tend to develop compensatory patterns which may weaken key muscles over time due to lack of use. Body weight support technology can unweight a person's body weight to allow walking, squatting, and stair climbing to become tolerable enough to perform in therapy sessions, allowing a person to maintain or regain strength in muscles surrounding these joints. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for osteoarthritis rehabilitation.

• Alter G
• Vector
• Erigo
• RT300

Recovering from an orthopedic surgery sometimes requires restricted weight bearing through a particular limb for a period of time. Body weight support technology can allow a person with restricted weight bearing to continue exercising and walking while protecting their surgery site. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for hip, knee and ankle surgery rehabilitation

• Erigo
• Vector
• Alter G
• BITS
• RT300

Getting used to a new joint takes time. Early stages involve swelling and soreness while the incision heals, and further stages involve strengthening bone, muscle, and connective tissue surrounding the prosthetic joint. Body weight support devices can offer relief as you put weight through your new joint and allow you to return to walking, stair climbing, strength training and range of motion exercises faster. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for joint replacement rehabilitation.

• Erigo
• Vector
• Alter G
• BITS

Pain through the arch of the foot can cause significant limitations in walking and standing tolerance. If you have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, strengthening and mobility of the foot is required for proper rehabilitation. Reducing the amount of force through the foot and ankle during exercise is a great way to initiate strengthening required to relieve symptoms. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for plantar fasciitis rehabilitation.

• Alter G
• BITS

Shoulder, elbow, wrist or hand pain can come from a variety of structures, and can even be referred from the neck.Treatment for arm pain revolves around reducing inflammation, regaining range of motion, and strengthening surrounding muscles. Depending on the amount of weakness a person has, electric stimulation may be appropriate to improve muscle firing. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for shoulder rehabilitation

• RT300
• Xcite
• BITS
• Blaze Pods

Athletes and runners demand a lot out of their bodies, and occasionally tissues become irritated or overworked. Body weight support technology allows a person to maintain certain types of activity with less force through their injury, creating opportunity for healing with minimal loss of their strength and conditioning. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for athletic injuries.

• Alter G
• Vector
• BITS
• Blaze Pods

The ACL is a critical stabilizing ligament in the knee, often susceptible to injury from contact and high impact sports or activities. Not all ACL injuries require surgery, but all ACL injuries do benefit from rehabilitation. Whether a person is preparing for a surgery, developing stability to compensate for an ACL injury, or recovering from surgery and beginning rehabilitation, body weight support technology is effective for reducing the force through the knee to allow for a gradual strengthening progression. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for ACL rehabilitation.

• Alter G
• Vector
• BITS
• Blaze Pods

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing pain and tenderness throughout the body and is commonly associated with fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Its believed that pain signals processed by the brain are amplified in those with Fibromyalgia. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for Fibromyalgia management

• Alter G
• BITS
• Blaze Pods

A form or arthritis caused by the immune system attacking the joint tissue, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and changes in bony alignment. While other body systems may be affected, physical therapy aims to address joint function, fatigue, and overall conditioning for those with rheumatoid arthritis. At the Kennedy Institute, our care team is able to evaluate patients' specific needs and fit the patient to the equipment that is best suited for their particular mobility level. See below for some examples of equipment used for rheumatoid arthritis management.

• Erigo
• Alter G
• Vector
• BITS