The therapy was developed in Germany. Courtesy of Dr. Anton Wernig Locomotor training of the type developed by Dr. Wernig is not yet widely available in this country, although clinical trials are about to begin in five American cities. And researchers caution that the therapy is not suitable for every patient with a spinal cord injury, that not everyone is helped by it and that the benefits vary widely from person to person. They stress that it also involves far more than just getting on a treadmill. You have to apply certain rules.
Experts believe that such patients are more likely to benefit from the training.
He undergoes a vigorous stretching routine, then is hoisted onto the treadmill, where he works for about an hour and a half. Mr. Scott, who jogged regularly and played basketball before his injury, may or may not be helped by the locomotor therapy. To be confined to this wheelchair is eating me alive.