Sheltering Arms Institute Introduces Revolutionary Non-Invasive Treatment For People With Spinal Cord Injury

RICHMOND, Va. (January 5, 2026) — Sheltering Arms Institute is excited to announce it has obtained the groundbreaking ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical, becoming the first facility in Central Virginia to offer this first and only FDA-approved, non-invasive technology clinically proven to improve hand strength and sensation for individuals with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCI).

The ARC-EX System—named a TIME Magazine Best Invention and designated as a FDA Breakthrough Device—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 is used during therapy sessions to complement specialized rehabilitation exercises. The device has also recently received FDA approval for at-home use, enabling patients to extend therapy beyond the clinic.

This milestone represents a new era of hope for people living with spinal cord injury, who previously had limited options for functional recovery after their injury. “This technology represents a significant advancement in our ability to help people with spinal cord injuries regain function and independence,” said Amber Walter, PT, DPT, NCS, director of clinical science at Sheltering Arms Institute. “Research has shown that the device can benefit people even years after their initial injury, offering renewed hope that continued improvements, and increased use of the arms and hands, may still be possible.”

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 ability to perform everyday tasks independently and contributes significantly to dignity, confidence, and overall quality of life.

“Even small improvements in hand and arm function can exponentially improve quality of life for individuals living with a spinal cord injury,” said Ruthie Otto, MS, OTR/L, occupational therapist at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Bon Air outpatient center. “Greater independence in everyday tasks allows people to more fully participate in activities that matter to them—from feeding themselves or brushing their teeth to handwriting, dressing, or pushing a manual wheelchair.”

The ARC-EX System is now available at Sheltering Arms Institute’s Bon Air outpatient center for individuals with chronic, non-progressive spinal cord injuries (C2-C8 inclusive) who are between 18 and 75 years old. People with SCI interested in learning more about this therapy should visit shelteringarmsinstitute.com/contact-us or call (804) 764-1000 ext. 2 to schedule an evaluation to determine if they are a good candidate for this treatment.

 

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About Sheltering Arms Institute

Sheltering Arms Institute is a non-profit and donor-supported state-of-the-science physical rehabilitation hospital and network of outpatient centers that brings together the brand and clinical reputation of Sheltering Arms and the nationally ranked programs and research of VCU Health through a joint venture. Ranked best in Virginia and among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, the Institute blends advanced technology, research, and evidence-based clinical treatment to create an innovative, transdisciplinary model of rehabilitative care that facilitates superior outcomes for patients. For more information, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com.

 

About ONWARD Medical and the ARC-EX System

ONWARD Medical is a medical technology company creating therapies to restore movement, function, and independence in people with SCI and other movement disabilities. Building on more than a decade of scientific discovery, preclinical research, and clinical studies conducted at leading hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and neuroscience laboratories, the Company has developed ARC Therapy, which has been awarded ten Breakthrough Device Designations from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition to the ARC-EX System, which is now cleared for commercial sale in the US, the Company is developing an implantable system called ARC-IM with and without an implanted brain-computer interface (BCI).

Headquartered in the Netherlands, the Company has a Science and Engineering Center in Switzerland and a US office in Boston, Massachusetts. The Company is listed on Euronext Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam (ticker: ONWD).

For more information, visit ONWD.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and YouTube. If you are a clinician or person with a spinal cord injury, visit survey.onwd.com/support.