Spinal Cord Injuries and Disorders Centers

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.

CARF Intensive Acute Rehabilitation   

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.

Restorative Rehabilitation

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.

Outpatient Rehabilitation

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.

Specialty Rehabilitative Services:

Aquatic therapy 

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 SCI doctor, or Christine Wang, PT at , ext. 3769, or at Christine.Wang2@va.gov for more information.

Dry Needling

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 Maia.Rissland1@va.gov.

Our 48 bed newly renovated Inpatient Unit 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 Orthopedics, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Certified Wound & Ostomy Nurses Urology, and Dental Care, as well as medical and surgical sub-specialties.

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

The SCI/D Outpatient clinic provides continuity of care after inpatient discharge with the ultimate goal of assisting people to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The outpatient clinic serves the important function of performing comprehensive preventive annual physical exams in person and through VA Video Connect (VVC) Telemedicine for the veterans enrolled in our program. We provide comprehensive medical care for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The clinic offers prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, chronic pain management, spasticity treatments including Botox and baclofen pump medical management. We offer psychological support for life stressors and/or adjustment to SCI/D. 

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 screening for diabetics.

The clinic offers preventative care such as immunizations, smoking cessation referrals, and weight management. Individualized care is provided to Veterans including education on the causes and management of autonomic dysreflexia.

Outpatient Clinic hours are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for a primary care provider or any other member of the team to address your concerns. Please call ext. 5405 for more information or to request an appointment.

Telehealth Services

Through this program we can monitor the clinical consequences of SCI, such as wounds, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as conduct post-discharge follow up after acute inpatient rehabilitation.  The SCI team can provide virtual consultation via state-of-the-art teleconferencing unit from our SCI Clinic throughout the VA network.  Our clinicians conduct individual visits via webcam with the Veterans in the convenience and privacy of their home.

SCI/D Home Care Program

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 additional medical problems. 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 improve quality of life.  Home evaluations are completed to address issues with safety and accessibility.

The home care nurse also monitors Veterans with SCI/D, ALS, and MS who are residing in VA Community Living Centers, State Veteran Homes and  community nursing homes to ensure that their needs are being met.

ALS Association Certified Treatment Center of Excellence.

• Provides state-of-the-art health care in a goal oriented, patient and family centered system.
• Interdisciplinary team of specialists is available for evaluation and treatment.
• Clinic day and hours: Monday 8:00am-4:30pm.
• Assistance with service connection, home evaluation, prescription of equipment, newest FDA approved therapies at no cost.
• Monthly support group for Veterans and their caregivers in person or via Telehealth.
• Hands-on training for Veterans and their caregivers.

For more information call extension 5405

Designated VA Regional Center and MS Society Center of MS Excellence.

• Clinic day and hours: Wednesday 8:00am-4:30pm.
• Interdisciplinary team led by an MS specialized neurologist, includes registered nurse coordinator, neuropsychologist,  physical and occupational therapists.
• We provide Disease Modifying Drugs as appropriate at no cost.
• A monthly support group facilitated by a psychologist with expertise in MS is available to Veterans and their caregivers in person or via Telehealth.

For more information call extension 5405

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.

Adaptive Sports 

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

Sailing

Kayaking

Bowling

Hand Cycling 

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Center at James J. Peters VAMC

130 West Kingsbridge Road

Bronx, NY 10468

Main Number                              

SCI Admin Office                        ext. 5389

Inpatient units                            ext. 5392/5393

VA Travel Assistance                 ext. 5355

SCI Outpatient Clinic

Clinic Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; excluding Federal Holidays

Clinic Appointment                    ext. 5405

Outpatient Therapy: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., excluding Federal Holidays

Physical Therapy:  ext. 3769

Occupational Therapy: ext. 3769

For Acute Issues After Hours: 

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

VA Health Connect

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

New patient referrals

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

Phone

Referral required? Yes

SCI/D Program Coordinator                  ext. 5616

ALS/MS coordinator                                  ext. 5388