Spaulding Rehabilitation

08/27/2025

08/26/2025

A new study suggests cycling may help rewire brain connections damaged by Parkinson's disease. Daniel Daneshvar, MD, PhD, chief of Brain Injury Rehabilitation at Mass General Brigham, calls the exercise "the best intervention for Parkinson's," noting its powerful long-term impact on the brain.

A new study has found that 12 sessions of dynamic cycling may help restore neural connections disrupted by Parkinson's disease and help boost brain function.

08/08/2025

Greg Jackson, MRC, president and chief operating officer, was honored to join Home Base, the Red Sox Foundation and Mass General Brigham, at the 16th annual Run to Home Base at Fenway Park on July 26th.

We’re proud to work with Home Base in supporting the healing journey of veterans, service members, and their families as they recover from the invisible wounds of war.

08/06/2025

Ten years ago, Paul Horrigan was living life in motion—running marathons, cycling, and staying active with his wife Lynn and daughters. But when back pain brought his lifestyle to a halt, he turned to surgery for relief.

After his first spinal surgery, Paul developed severe back spasms due to failed hardware. But after corrective surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital, the spasms persisted. That’s when he was diagnosed with dystonia, a rare and painful movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions and twisting movements.

Paul sought care from Nutan Sharma, MD, PhD, a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. Over the next several years, they tried everything—acupuncture, pool therapy, music therapy, massage, walking on an anti-gravity treadmill, and more than 13 different medications—alongside visits to Spaulding Rehabilitation to support his recovery and mobility.

In 2021, nearly seven years after his symptoms began, Paul met neurologist Michael Hayes, MD, who confirmed the complexity of his condition. Together, Drs. Sharma and Hayes recommended deep-brain stimulation (DBS).

Performed by Rees Cosgrove, MD, the DBS procedure was life-changing. By interrupting the abnormal brain signals causing Paul’s spasms, DBS gave him back his mobility—and his life. Today, there are days when Paul forgets he even has dystonia.

08/06/2025

Spaulding Rehabilitation President and Chief Operating Officer Greg Jackson, MRC; Physiatrist and Director of Health Policy Chloe Slocum, MD, MPH; and Chief of Staff Leslie Feinberg, met with Representative Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, and her staff, to discuss key policy priorities and ways to expand access to post-acute care.

We’re grateful to Representative Decker and her team for the warm welcome to the State House.

07/30/2025

Rehabilitation therapy plays a critical role in recovery, from serious health events like stroke, joint replacement, or spinal injury. The right rehab team and a high-quality facility can make all the difference in a patient's recovery. Learn more.

Specialized hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and home health agencies provide rehab therapy. Insurers may limit the services you can get.

07/29/2025

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital is proud to be ranked #2 in Rehabilitation in the Nation by U.S. News and World Report. Thank you to our incredible staff for what you do every day to make this possible! Learn more: http://spklr.io/6042B1BAQ

07/28/2025

"Shoulder mobility and strength are use-it-or-lose-it skills," says Eric L'Italien, MD, a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation. He recommends halos. A simple yet powerful exercise, halos support posture, spine health and overall upper-body function.

Halos are one of the best exercises for improving shoulder mobility, flexibility, and strength. They are done by holding a weight like a kettlebell, dumbbell, or even a heavy book with both hands a...

07/15/2025

Spaulding Rehabilitation was honored by APSE during the 17th Transitions to Work graduation, held in partnership with JVS Boston.

The Transitions to Work Program empowers individuals with disabilities through hands-on experience at our Brighton, Charlestown and Cambridge locations. Since its inception, the program has graduated 117 participants, many of whom have gone on to secure part-time and full-time roles within Spaulding.

This award celebrates the incredible employee mentors at Spaulding who are creating meaningful employment opportunities.

07/14/2025

Congratulations to Spaulding Boston's Marta Nadales, BSN, RN, who was recognized with the for her dedication to patient-centered care. The special honor is given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day, going above and beyond expectations.

Marta is a nurse on the Comprehensive Rehab Unit and was nominated by a patient who spent more than 12 weeks in hospitals and rehab facilities. She stood out among dozens of nurses for her attentiveness, kindness and joyful spirit. The patient states, "She demonstrated her care for me by knowing my name, my family’s names, knowing my concerns and ACTING ON THEM."

07/11/2025

Recently, Spaulding Rehabilitation Brighton welcomed staff from the Office of State Senator William Brownsberger, who presented a citation recognizing our “unwavering commitment to excellence in patient care.”

The recognition was inspired by a letter from one of our patients, Dominique Jean, whose story reminds us why we do what we do every day.

Thank you, Senator Brownsberger, for this meaningful acknowledgment—and thank you to our incredible team for making moments like this possible.

07/09/2025

At 38 years old, Rhode Island native Liz (Aquino) Boyd—a lifelong dancer, runner and surgical nurse—experienced a massive stroke followed by seizures. She managed to call her fiancé, Mike, who quickly dialed 911. Liz was rushed to the Emergency Department where doctors discovered a brain bleed.

After being transferred to Brigham and Women's Hospital, further tests revealed a rare condition called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a blood clot in a vein within the brain. Despite treatment, Liz’s brain continued to swell. Ten days later, her care team, led by neurosurgeon Nirav Patel, MD, performed a rare brain surgery that saved her life.

Recovery was tough. Liz faced painful side effects and had to relearn basic functions. With support from Spaulding Rehabilitation and her outpatient team, she slowly regained her strength.

Within six months of her surgery, Liz was running again. She returned to work. She then married Mike. And not long after, she crossed the finish line at the 2025 Boston Marathon. Like many stroke survivors, Liz still battles PTSD, anxiety and depression, and regularly sees a therapist. But she’s channeling her experience into purpose.

“I know that I'm here for a reason,” Liz says. “Working with stroke patients, spreading awareness, educating and inspiring others: That’s what I’m trying to do with my second chance.”