Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation
NISE-Stim Certification Part1
by Gerti Motavalli, PT
Target Audience: Physical Therapists (PTs), Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs), Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physicians.
Presented by: Gerti Motavalli, PT
Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (9 hours)
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (7 hours)
Course Location: Springboard Pediatric Therapy
100 South Jefferson Road, Suite 100
Whippany, NJ 07981
Sponsor: Springboard Pediatric Therapy
Course Coordinator: Trish O'Brien
Email: t.obrien@springboardtherapy.com
Cost:
Early Bird Discount until July 31, 2026 $660
Group Discount (3+) $660
Regular after July 31, 2026 $690
Registration: Through this Jotform
CEUs: 16 contact hours,
This course has been approved by the Illinois, Lousiana, California and Florida
Courses approved by other APTA state chapters in the following jurisdictions are likely accepted for licensure credit based on the state regulation.
AL | AK | AR | AZ | DC | CA CO | CT | DE | GA | ID | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA ME | MA | MI | MO | MT | MD | MS | NM | NE | NH | NC | ND | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | UT | VT | VA | VI | WA | WI | WY
Please reach out to your state licensing board to confirm the currency and accuracy of this information.
The following states are not pre-approved: MN, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, TX, WV.
Participants licensed in states not pre-approved may file for individual approval by themselves.
Course Description:
This specialized course is designed for physical therapists and clinicians seeking the most advanced applications of Non-Invasive Spinal Electrical Stimulation (NISE-Stim) to enhance clinical outcomes in children with:
Cerebral palsy (CP)
Hypotonia
Spinal cord injuries, Spina Bifida
Brachial plexus paralysis
Other neuromotor impairments
Course Highlights:
✔ Muscle Activation – Learn how NISE-Stim can be used to activate muscles, allow them to fire faster and improve strength.
✔ Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) – Discover effective treatment strategies for improving trunk, upper, and lower extremity control.
✔ Muscle & Nerve Testing – Gain expertise in assessing muscle-nerve function and optimizing stimulation parameters.
✔ Hands-On Training & Clinical Videos – Participate in practical sessions and review real case studies to enhance your skills.
This course will provide step-by-step guidance on selecting optimal stimulation settings, refining treatment plans, and advancing therapy techniques for better patient outcomes.
NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IS NEEDED, BUT CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE IS NECESSARY!
A Chattanooga Continuum or EMPI Continuum e-stim unit will be used for the course. The presenter will bring enough units and electrodes for up to 30 participants. A cheaper unit costing $70, the Twin Stim IV will be introduced as well.
The Turtle Bracing concept will be presented as well. It allows the therapist to fabricate quick, custom molded, inexpensive bracing to UE, LE and trunk which can be remolded and adjusted to growth and fit many times.
Biography:
With 40 years of experience as a pediatric physical therapist, Gerti Motavalli, MPT, has worked in Germany, India, and the USA, specializing in neurological rehabilitation. In collaboration with Dr. Gad Alon, PhD, PT, she developed the first surface spinal electrical stimulation protocol in 2017 for children with Spina Bifida, published 2019 in Child Neurology Open.
Gerti has presented at the Spina Bifida World Conference (2023, Tucson, AZ) and international conferences in the UK and Germany. She trains therapists worldwide in NISE-Stim, expanding its use for children with Spina Bifida, cerebral palsy, SMA, and other motor impairments. Through in-person and online treatment, she continues to make spinal stimulation more accessible globally.
For more information, visit spinalstim.net.
Program Objectives:
1. Explain the required stimulation parameters and appropriate protocols/procedures used in pediatrics.
2. Describe the advantages, limitations, contra-indications, and indications for the use of electrical stimulation in the management of pediatric patients.
3. Discuss the various mechanisms by which functional electrical stimulation and spinal electrical stimulation can affect the peripheral neuromuscular, peripheral vascular, skeletal as well as central nervous systems.
4. Describe the procedures for nerve conduction testing.
5. Explain the application of lower spinal stimulation protocols and procedures.
6. Describe how to implement functional electrical stimulation in gait.
7. Explain electrode placement for plexus paralysis using upper spinal stimulation.
8. Select appropriate patients and implement surface spinal electrical stimulation in children with spina bifida or other neuromotor impairments.
9. Advise caregivers how to properly use the stimulation at home in to achieve more effective and efficient outcome.
10. Explain the advantages, limitations, contra-indications, and indications for the use of Turtle Bracing for pediatric patients.
11. Fabricate a Turtle Brace and assess the Turtle Brace for good alignment and fit.