Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation (TSS) at BTI Rehab

October 24, 2025

TSS at Back to Independence Rehab: Looser, Stronger, and More Connected to Your Body

For many in our community living with spinal cord injury, stroke, MS, and other neurological conditions, the goals are clear: feel less stiff, get stronger, move with more ease, and reconnect with your body. One tool we’ve added to training at Back to Independence Rehab is Transcutaneous Spinal Stimulation (TSS)—a non-invasive form of spinal neuromodulation delivered through adhesive electrodes on the skin while you practice task-specific movement.

What TSS feels like here

During sessions, we place small electrodes over specific spinal levels (cervical for arm/hand work, lumbosacral for trunk/leg work) and deliver carefully tuned pulses while you perform meaningful tasks—grip and reach, sit-to-stand, stepping, or balance practice. Most people describe the sensation as a strong, buzzy pressure that’s very tolerable. Our clinicians adjust parameters in real time based on your goals and comfort.

What our community is noticing

Without naming names, here are real themes we hear after a training block with TSS + active practice:
•    “I feel looser—less spastic and easier to stretch—so I can get moving sooner.”
•    “My hands feel more ‘online’—better pinch, quicker release, and more control during daily tasks.”
•    “I’m stronger and last longer in sessions; my steps feel more even.”
•    “I can find my body better—more sensation, better posture, and smoother transitions.”
These stories line up with what researchers are finding.

What the research says (in plain English)

•    Hand & arm improvements in cervical SCI: A large, multi-site clinical trial (the Up-LIFT study) reported that adding non-invasive spinal stimulation to structured rehab produced clinically meaningful gains in upper-limb strength, function, and sensation for many people with chronic tetraplegia—most participants improved, and quality-of-life scores rose as well.
•    Rapid, sometimes lasting gains after sessions: Earlier work showed fast improvements in reach, grasp, and pinch with cervical TSS in people with chronic SCI—some retained gains for months, suggesting real neuroplastic change (the nervous system “re-wiring” with practice).
•    Spasticity relief: Controlled studies indicate TSS can temporarily reduce spasticity in people with SCI—often enough to make stretching, positioning, and training easier. Newer mechanistic research points to enhanced spinal inhibitory circuits as a likely reason.
•    Walking & balance signals: In people with incomplete SCI, combining gait practice with TSS has been linked to better gait speed, endurance, and balance in emerging studies. There’s also preliminary evidence TSS can boost walking ability after stroke when paired with gait training.
•    Multiple sclerosis: Even a single session of lumbar TSS has shown reduced spasticity and improved walking performance in people with MS, with effects that can persist for hours.

Bottom line: When TSS is paired with purposeful, repetitive practice, many people see less stiffness, more strength/control, and better functional movement—exactly what our members are reporting.

Why pairing TSS with training matters

TSS doesn’t move you by itself; it modulates the excitability of spinal networks so your own efforts (and the right tasks) “take” better. That’s why we always pair stimulation with functionally relevant work—gripping a real object, stepping patterns, postural control—while we scale difficulty, dosage, and rest.

Who might benefit
•    Cervical SCI aiming to improve hand/arm control
•    Thoracic/lumbar or incomplete SCI working on trunk/leg function, balance, or gait
•    MS with spasticity and fatigue impacting walking
•    Select stroke survivors focusing on gait symmetry and speed
(We screen for contraindications and collaborate with your medical team as needed.)

What a session looks like at BTI
  1. Goal check & baseline: What matters most today—opening a jar, transfers, stairs, handwriting?
  2. Targeted electrode setup: Cervical or lumbosacral placement based on your goal.
  3.  Parameter titration: We dial in frequency, intensity, and timing to support the task.
  4. Task-specific practice: High-repetition, coached movement while stimulation runs.
  5. Cool-down & reassess: Quick measures so you can feel/see change over time.

Safety

Across trials, non-invasive spinal stimulation has been well-tolerated, with most adverse events being minor skin irritation or temporary discomfort. Our team monitors skin, blood pressure, and overall tolerance, and we adjust quickly if anything feels off.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the improvements last after TSS sessions?
A: Research shows some gains—like better strength, coordination, and sensation—can last weeks or months, especially when combined with regular, targeted training. However, many people benefit from continued sessions to reinforce and build on progress.

Q: Does it hurt?
A: Most people describe the feeling as a strong buzzing or tapping under the electrodes—intense but not painful. We can adjust intensity and positioning to your comfort level.

Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: That depends on your goals, medical history, and response. Some feel changes after a single session, but research and our experience suggest consistent use over weeks produces the best outcomes.

Q: Can I do TSS if I have metal implants or a baclofen pump?
A: In most cases, yes—but we always review your medical history first and, if needed, coordinate with your physician.

Q: Is TSS safe for everyone?
A: We avoid TSS in people with certain heart devices, uncontrolled seizures, or skin issues at the electrode site. That’s why we screen carefully before starting.

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Ready to Experience the Benefits of TSS?

Start your recovery journey today with Back to Independence Rehab—where science, movement, and community meet. Whether your goal is to reduce spasticity, regain strength, or reconnect with your body, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way.

💪 Call us today: 980-335-0778
📍 Visit us: Charlotte, NC
🔗 Book your session now

Your path to greater strength, mobility, and confidence starts here.
Let’s take the next step together toward your independence! 💙

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Selected references (open-access or abstracts)
  •  Non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation for arm and hand function in chronic tetraplegia: a safety and efficacy trial (Up-LIFT). Nature Medicine (2024).
  • Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation restores hand and arm function after SCI. IEEE TNSRE (2021) + follow-up durability data.
  • Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation induces temporary attenuation of spasticity in individuals with SCI. J Neurotrauma (2020).
  • Targeted tSCS improves hand motor function: mechanisms paper. Journal of Neurophysiology (2024).
  • tSCS enhances walking performance and reduces spasticity in MS. Brain Sciences (2021).
  • tSCS paired with gait training improves walking after stroke (case-series). BioMedical Engineering OnLine (2024).