Redefining Rehabilitation

Next Steps Chicago

Traditional rehab has limits. We don’t. Next Steps Chicago was created for the people the system left behind. With the right technology, the right therapists, and an unwavering belief that your story is far from over.

Quality Care

Dedicated Staff for One to One Sessions

At Next Steps we provide one on one PT, OT and Adaptive Fitness Sessions with a licensed PT, PTA, OT or Specialty Certified Fitness Trainer. 

Research, Education, and Clinical Trials

Founding member of the Neuro Recovery Network

At Next Steps, we continuously engage in evidence-informed therapy practices that promote functional recovery for persons living with paralysis and neurological disorders.

Non-Profit. Purpose-Built.

Mission-driven care. Scholarship-supported access.

As the first freestanding non-profit neurological rehab center in Chicagoland, we bring hospital-level technology at prices families can afford, plus scholarships for those who need extra support.

Years Of Experiance
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About us

Welcome to Next Steps Chicago

Next Steps Chicago is the first non-profit, freestanding neurological rehabilitation center in the Chicago area, built from the ground up for people living with spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, MS, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions.

Our team of physical therapists, occupational therapists, and personal trainers all work under one roof, backed by technology you would normally see only in a major hospital system. The difference? You are never treated like a number here. You are a person with a name, a story, and goals that actually matter.

What Makes This Place Different? Everything.

Technology That Leads the Nation
We were one of the first two clinics in the U.S. to offer the FDA-approved ONWARD ARC-EX spinal cord stimulator. From robotic exoskeletons to augmented reality gait training, our equipment rivals the top hospital systems in the country—without the hospital price tag.

A Non-Profit Built to Serve, Not Profit
Our mission drives every decision. That means accessible pricing, a scholarship fund for families who need it, and a team that measures success in patient outcomes—not billing codes.

Your Team, Under One Roof
Physical therapists. Occupational therapists. Speciality Certified Fitness Trainers. All working together on your plan—not passing you between departments. When your insurance-covered PT ends, your fitness team picks up right where you left off.

Research-Backed. Community-Driven.
As a founding member of the NeuroRecovery Network through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, we’re connected to the latest science in neurological rehabilitation. But we’re also a neighborhood clinic where your therapist remembers your kid’s name.

Not a Hospital. That’s the Point.
No sterile hallways. No revolving-door appointments. Next Steps Chicago is a freestanding facility designed specifically for neurological rehabilitation—warm, focused, and built around you.

Happy Patients
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Lives we have helped reshape through focused neurological rehabilitation, advanced therapeutic technology, and individualized care that puts you first.
Satisfaction
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Patients and families who describe their experience with our team as nothing short of excellent.
Expert Therapists
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A team of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and neuro-exercise specialists, all driven by one goal: your recovery.

Our Specialist

Our Therapists

Every Neurological Journey Is Different. Your Care Should Be, Too.

Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis or looking for the next step in a long recovery, our team builds a plan around your condition, your goals, and your life.

Spinal Cord Injury

From the earliest days of recovery through lifelong wellness, we combine advanced technology like the ARC-EX spinal stimulator with hands-on therapy tailored to every stage of your journey.

Stroke

Intensive, targeted rehabilitation designed to help you reclaim movement, speech, & the daily living skills that restore your sense of self. Every session is built around your personal recovery goals.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain injuries change everything in an instant. Our therapists work alongside you to rebuild cognitive function, physical coordination, confidence, & the independence that matters most to your daily life.

Cerebral Palsy

Comprehensive programs for children and adults focused on maximizing functional independence, building motor skills, and creating strategies that support your goals at every life stage.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS doesn't follow a straight line, & neither does our approach. Adaptive therapy that evolves alongside your condition, helping you maintain mobility, manage symptoms, & keep moving forward.

Parkinson's Disease

Specialized exercise protocols and hands-on therapy are designed to maintain strength, improve balance, and slow functional decline. We focus on what you can do today and tomorrow.

Developmental Delays

Early intervention makes a lasting difference. Our pediatric specialists provide ongoing support for children working toward their milestones—building strength, coordination, and confidence along the way.

The Tools to Move You Forward.

We invest in the most advanced neurological rehabilitation technology available—because you deserve more than a set of hand weights and a hope-for-the-best approach.

In the News

PRESS RELEASE: January 9, 2025

ONWARD Medical Announces First Commercial Sales of ARC-EX System

​UW Medicine and Next Steps Chicago both purchased systems in late December 2024 ARC-EX is the first and only FDA approved technology indicated to improve hand strength and sensation in people with spinal cord injury…

“The first commercial sales of our ARC-EX System are a pivotal moment in our mission to help people with spinal cord injury, demonstrating our ability to successfully translate scientific discovery into real-world impact for people with spinal cord injury,” said Dave Marver, CEO of ONWARD Medical…

In addition to UW Medicine, one of the initial ARC-EX Systems was sold to Next Steps Chicago, aligned with the Company’s objective to provide access to this breakthrough technology in community rehabilitation clinics as well as major academic research centers.

“Partnering with ONWARD Medical marks a significant milestone in our mission to redefine recovery, and to innovatively provide the best possible care for those with spinal cord injuries,” said Maryleen K. Jones, PT, DHS, NCS, Executive Director of Clinical Operations at Next Steps of Chicago.

“This technology could change lives by offering new avenues for recovery that were previously unimaginable.”

How Can You Help?

Next Steps is a not-for-profit organization which provides top-notch treatment for patients with different neurological conditions. However, what makes it possible for us to assist in the recovery, is the generosity of people like you!

Help NextSteps continue to provide the very best in treatment and recovery by donating today!.