NextStep Orlando

NextStep Orlando is a physical therapist in Maitland, FL, operating as a community-based paralysis recovery and fitness center. The facility specializes in Activity-Based Therapy, providing standardized, research-based intervention programs for individuals living with neurological disorders. It serves patients with spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, and other conditions affecting mobility. As a non-profit organization, it is an approved Community Fitness & Wellness Affiliate of The Victory Over Paralysis NeuroRecovery Network, led by Dr. Susan Harkema. This affiliation supports the development of specialized facilities that offer evidence-based recovery interventions aimed at restoring function, health, and quality of life. The center holds a perfect 5.00 rating based on 27 customer reviews.

The founding of the Orlando location is rooted in a personal journey. In April 2007, the founder received news that his 18-year-old daughter, Amanda, had been paralyzed in a car accident after her friend fell asleep at the wheel. Doctors told the family that Amanda would never walk again, and they were informed that goals for regaining complete mobility were unrealistic. This experience highlighted the lack of recovery options available in Florida for the over 11,000 families facing similar situations each year. Driven by the need to provide hope and functional improvement, the facility was established to help those with spinal cord injury improve daily living by regaining function. Since 2008, the broader NextStep organization has operated as a resource for people globally, opening paralysis training centers in cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Kansas City, Raleigh, Las Vegas, New Zealand, and Ukraine. It was the first community-based center in the Reeve Foundation NeuroRecovery Network and the first in the US to offer Locomotor Training.

The Orlando location is situated at 8701 Maitland Summit Blvd. Services include Locomotor Training, where participants practice standing and stepping through repetitive body weight-supported movements while suspended in a harness over a treadmill. Therapists guide the legs and body to simulate walking, aiming to enhance abilities in sitting, standing, reaching, and grasping. This is followed by Overground Training, which targets specific limiting factors to maximize functional recovery while the nervous system is at its peak. NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation is also part of the therapeutic offerings. The center is led by Executive Director Liza Riedel and operates Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

NextStep Orlando stands out for its strong local reputation, reflected in consistently high customer ratings. It provides a specialized, research-driven path for paralysis recovery in Maitland, focusing on independence and lifelong health for those with neurological conditions.