Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Centers

The mission of the James J. Peters VA SCI/D Center is to promote the health, independence, quality of life, and productivity of individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries & Disorders (SCI/D),

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through state-of-the-art clinical care, education and research.

James J Peters VA SCI/D Center offers rehabilitation to Veterans with a documented diagnosis of spinal cord injury/disorders who are experiencing a reduced level of function. The patient

must have the cognitive capability and motivation to be able to participate in and benefit from rehabilitation. 

The James J Peters VAMC SCI/D Acute Rehabilitation Program has been CARF accredited since 2003. 

The Acute Rehabilitation program provides services for those medically stable patients able to participate. Therapy will provide six days a week for up to three hours a day to attain

Functional Independence Measured goals. Patients work to achieve maximum outcomes in occupational/self-care activities, mobility and transfers, bowel and bladder management, and

psychological adjustment and wellness. Additional programming may include wheelchairs, family training, and if appropriate, driving instruction and vehicle modifications/ adaptations. The

average overall patients receive one and a half hours of physical therapy and occupational therapy along with recreational, speech-language pathology, mental health support, dietary

consultative services, etc. 

A Restorative Rehabilitation patient does not meet the criteria for acute rehab. Treatment includes wheelchair and caregiver training, driver rehabilitation, and transition to home services.

During Restorative Rehabilitation program, patients may receive moderate therapy to improve in some areas of functioning while reinforcing and stabilizing skills in others. 

The outpatient rehabilitation program offers an interdisciplinary therapy team with the goal of optimizing functional abilities. Interventions may include functional mobility training,

wheelchair evaluations, wheelchair training and assistive technology training, and prescription. 

Aquatic therapy is offered at the Bronx VA for both inpatients and outpatients. Our pool is fully accessible, with a ramp to enter for wheelchair users and pool steps / ladders. Weights,

noodles, and floats are available for a wide variety of exercises and treatments, and a lifeguard is always present during pool sessions. 

 The therapeutic pool is typically at a temperature between 88 degrees – 92 degrees, and pool sessions are held 3x/week for the SCI department. We accept Veterans who have been diagnosed

with a Spinal Cord Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. 

 Some of the benefits of Aquatic Therapy include reducing pain, swelling in the arms and legs, a safer medium for balance and ambulation training, general strengthening and stretching, and

postural training. 

 If interested, please contact your primary care provider or email Christine Wang, PT @ [email protected] for more information. 

Dry Needling (DN) is a technique utilized by trained physical therapists to address patients’ neuromusculoskeletal pain and mobility restrictions. It is a conservative modality that aims at

improving function by addressing muscle spasms and other underlying tissue dysfunctions.  

Following physical evaluation and assessment, the therapist will gently insert a thin filiform needle (similar to an acupuncture needle) into the problematic region. The goal is to stimulate

the underlying tissues to improve pain, range of motion, and relieve muscle spasms. Treatment is typically paired with other soft tissue mobilization techniques and therapeutic exercises.  

DN is commonly used to treat areas of muscle restriction, spasticity, and chronic inflammation. To determine if DN is an appropriate addition to your treatment plan, contact your primary

care physician or email Maia Rissland, PT, DPT at [email protected]. 

Our 48 bed newly renovated Inpatient Unit with state-of-the-art equipment is available for admission to address an acute rehabilitation need or any significant medical issues.  

During your stay, a physician will be in charge of your treatment. Our nursing personnel will provide you professional nursing care, and the ancillary staff will assist to make your stay a

pleasant one. 

Our program has experts in areas such as medical and surgical sub-specialties and dedicated certified ostomy & wound care team. 

We can provide respite stay of up to 30 days per year based on bed availability. 

The SCI/D Outpatient clinic provides individualized comprehensive medical care for Veterans with Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

The SCI/D Outpatient clinic is staffed with certified physicians, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers, therapists, dieticians, health care technicians, and a medical support

assistant. The clinic provides EKG, bladder scans, tele-retinal examinations, and diabetes screening. A comprehensive education program is provided by our highly trained staff.  

Preventative care such as immunizations, smoking cessation referrals, and weight management is available. 

Outpatient Clinic hours are 8:00am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday for a primary care provider or any other member of the team to address your concerns. Please call for more information or to request

an appointment. Walk-ins (roll-ins) are welcome!! 

Our clinicians can conduct individual visits in the comfort and privacy of your home. 

The SCI/D Home Care provides ongoing in-home continuity of care and monitoring of the newly injured, as well as established Veterans at risk for the medical consequences of Spinal Cord

Injury. SCI/D Home Care staff help Veterans and family members make a smooth and effective transition from the hospital to the community. 

The SCI/D Home Care interdisciplinary team members provide collaborative clinical care services such as skilled nursing, care management, psychosocial, rehabilitative, nutritional support,

and skin and wound evaluation/management to keep you healthy in the community. Home evaluations are completed to address issues with safety and accessibility. 

If you are a Veteran residing in a VA Community Living Center, State Veteran Home or a community nursing home rest assure, our home care nurse will visit you regularly to ensure that your

needs are being met. 

We are an ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence.    

We are the Designated VA Regional Center for the New York area and a MS Society Center of Excellence. 

Recreation Therapy provides a spectrum of services, opportunities, and choice for Spinal Cord veterans across the continuum of care to maximize their rehabilitation potential, increase

independence, and sustain a healthy and meaningful leisure lifestyle.  Recreation therapy programs promote health, disease prevention and improving quality of life such as adaptive yoga,

meditation, aromatherapy, and wellness. Along with improving quality of life, Recreation Therapy enhances or maintains physical, cognitive abilities, provides opportunities for social

communication skill development, creative expression, as well as spiritual expression.  Recreation education is an essential component to your rehabilitation.  Our professionals will help

you discover the many leisure opportunities and resources available to people with a spinal cord injury.  Our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist encourages the patients to take advantage of

the Community Reintegration Outings.  Taking part in Community Reintegration Outings will help you address wheelchair accessibility issues that you may encounter after discharge. 

Our SCI/D Center encourages participation in Adaptive Sports events.  Our Therapeutic Recreation Specialist works with SCI veterans in the many different athletic events both locally and

nationwide: 

Water skiing                                          VA National Winter Sports Clinic  

Snow skiing                                           VA Wheelchair Games  

Rock climbing                                       VA Summer Sports Clinic 

Neuropsychology is the study of how the brain functions and affects your behavior, mood, and thinking skills. Certain life-long conditions such as acquired brain injuries like stroke,

concussion / brain injury, or degenerative illness (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) can produce changes in your functioning that can challenge

your daily living.    

A Neuropsychological Assessment can help clarify one's current cognitive status, areas of strengths and weaknesses, and provide treatment recommendations for the whole team.  

Baseline comprehensive evaluations can assist in identifying cognitive changes and/or problem areas that may emerge with disease progression and the general aging process. Repeat evaluations

every 1-2 years are also offered.   

Cognitive Remediation Therapy (Individual and Groups available)  

CRT is a specific, and research-backed type of therapy that focuses on:   

Talk therapy can come in many forms, and certain types can guide therapists to better understand their patients. Below are examples of types of psychotherapy we offer:  

All services are provided in-person and via telehealth (VVC). 

Clinic Hours: Monday- Friday 8 am -4:30 pm; excluding Federal Holidays 

Outpatient Therapy: 8 am – 4:30pm, excluding Federal Holidays 

contact the Clinical Contact Center ext. 5301 or go to the nearest Emergency Department 

Are you traveling out of the area? Are you new to the area? 

A referral may be initiated by the individual, family, physician, social worker, or case manager. 

ALS/MS coordinator                                    ext. 5388 

Here are some helpful links for Bronx VA Veterans and their caregivers:  

Most individuals with injury or disease of the spinal cord have residual nerve connections, even if they have trouble moving their muscles. 

To strengthen these connections, we conduct multiple studies using different approaches: magnetic stimulation; electrical stimulation; medications; targeted physical exercises, and more. 

We study ways to improve numerous problems such as blood pressure control, movement and mobility, temperature control, metabolism, and bone strength. 

Each study has its own entry ‘criteria’. For information about specific research projects and eligibility criteria please check out our websites (BronxVA NeuroRecovery) (Spinal Cord Damage

Research Center (scirc.org)) or contact us: