Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is bringing new hope to people living with spinal cord injuries, expanding opportunities for increased independence throughout their daily lives.
In May 2026, the hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, began using the ARC-EX System from ONWARD Medical, becoming one of the first facilities in West Michigan to offer this type of therapy for people with chronic spinal cord injuries (SCIs).
When a fall brought 72-year-old John Tellis to Mary Free Bed with a spinal cord injury, he said it quickly opened his eyes to the challenges people with SCI face. As he navigated his own recovery, frustrated that he was unable to do the things he once loved, John became so motivated to pursue this therapy that he personally helped cover the cost of the ARC-EX.
“This injury has made me very empathetic to other people who have loss of function. It changes your world. I didn’t want to get something that was just for my use. I had the means to help Mary Free Bed acquire this with the help of some other people, and I thought, this is something other people have to use. It’s life-changing. People have to have access to this, and I want to help as many people as I can,” John explained.
How Does the ARC-EX Work for People with Spinal Cord Injuries?
The ARC-EX System 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 supports up to one hour of daily therapy and complements specialized rehabilitation exercises.
John noticed immediate benefits after his first session, including greater dexterity, sensation in his otherwise numb hands, straighter posture and improved walking.
Mary Free Bed physician, John VandenBerg, who specializes in spinal cord injuries, has been a strong advocate for the technology for several years.
“After it was FDA approved, I heard that some therapy centers were getting them and I immediately said this is something we need to bring to Grand Rapids, to make sure we’re giving our patients the best opportunities that we possibly can.”
What are the Benefits of ARC-EX?
The Up-LIFT clinical study published in Nature Medicine showed that 90 percent of participants improved in upper limb strength or function, with 87 percent 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 independence in daily activities like eating, dressing and personal care.
Clinicians at Mary Free Bed are eager to learn more about the outcomes among hospital patients as more people experience the benefits of this type of therapy.
“It’s really wonderful to walk through the halls and see our occupational therapist, Katie, working with patients, giving them opportunities, seeing their faces light up when they show improvement almost immediately,” Dr. VandenBerg said.
Katie O’Brien was the first clinician to begin using the ARC-EX at Mary Free Bed, trialing the technology with a patient who purchased their own home device. She saw firsthand how the machine improved the patient’s strength in their upper extremities, hand coordination, core stability and spasticity management.
“To have something that can help change or improve that function is huge,” Katie said.
Though loss of function in the upper or lower extremities poses significant challenges, Katie explained that it is often easier to compensate for not having lower extremity function than it is to compensate for not having hand function.
“To be able to give some of that independence back to patients is life-changing. It’s been really cool to get to be a part of that even if it’s just the very beginning.”
Several clinicians at Mary Free Bed are now trained to use the ARC-EX, and Katie said it has been a great opportunity for collaboration.
“To hear different clinicians say, this is what I’ve read, this is what I’ve understood and this is what I gleaned from the training has been really helpful. Someone might say, I took this away, and I think this would really apply to this patient, or I took this away, and I think this would really apply for this patient. It allows us to work together and collaborate.”
Representatives from ONWARD are also readily available to answer any questions clinicians may have.
“I’m grateful to work in a place that prioritizes cutting-edge research and technology to be on top of the best evidence-based practice. We have this culture to stay on top of things, so we can educate not only our patients, but each other in a way that helps us to stay at the top of our field. Having this equipment here is just one more great thing about us.”
The ARC-EX system is now available at Mary Free Bed for individuals with chronic, non-progressive spinal cord injuries (C2-C8 inclusive) who are between 18 and 75 years old.
While early results with ARC-EX have been promising, clinicians are careful to set realistic expectations. Not every patient will experience the same results. The ARC-EX doesn’t reverse spinal cord injury. Instead, it represents meaningful progress, offering some individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury new opportunities for improved movement and independence.
Spinal Cord Injury Recovery at Mary Free Bed
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation is a national leader in patient outcomes. Our Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). This rigorous process ensures the highest level of care from your physicians, therapists and nurses who specialize in spinal cord injury rehabilitation and recovery.
If you or your loved one wants to learn more about spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, you can click here to learn more and Ask for Mary.
Media Coverage of the ARC-EX at Mary Free Bed
