From the Ground Up:

A human-powered framework for
spinal cord injury recovery

Print format

A highlighter’s best friend, keep the paperback book on your desk, nightstand, or coffee table as a reminder to stay curious and KEEP GOING.

Sharing the copy with friends or co-workers? The print format is the only way pass the book along.

e-Book format

A page-turner that doesn’t challenge you to physically turn the pages, the e-book format is available on Google Play and Apple Books.

Save on shipping and wait times with the e-book format.

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Bundle up:
print + e-book

Can’t decide between print & e-book? You don’t have to. 

First, purchase the e-book on Google Play or Apple Books. Then fill out a print request form and we’ll send you a code to order the print copy for just $25 + shipping.

Every individual who endures a spinal cord injury leaves the hospital thinking the same thing:

“Now what?” 

There is no agreed-upon protocol, or even set of best practices, for how to reconnect a paralyzed body. 

Drawing from movement disciplines not usually associated with paralysis recovery, From the Ground Up applies the anatomical science of full-body integration and the innate capacity of the brain to rewire itself to the challenge of neurological reconnection. 

With fully-illustrated exercise descriptions, this clinical perspective is written both for those recovering from spinal cord injury and for their movement trainers.

From the Ground Up is an in-depth exploration of how to claim physical and mental ownership of the recovery journey.

“Not only educational, it’s a wonderful and effective workbook for anyone living or working with someone with a spinal cord injury.”

Michael Greenheck, ABT trainer

What’s inside?

From the Ground Up was co-written by someone with an SCI and his trainer, for individuals with spinal cord injury and movement professionals, offering a unique collaboration of perspectives on the SCI recovery process.

This 300-page book provides pertinent background in anatomy, movement science concepts, and 90 pages of modifiable paralysis rehab exercises.

Use this guide to create and implement effective SCI rehab programs for yourself or your clients, no matter what level or severity of injury.

  • The first chapter presents five opportunities for optimizing SCI rehabilitation. These serve as a guide for the rest of the book.

    The rest of Part I discusses the fundamentals and common myths around spinal cord injury, currently available rehab techniques, our working definition of “recovery” and how athletes can take ownership of their healing.

    Download a free PDF of Chapter 1 here.

  • Paralysis recovery doesn’t have to be trial and error.

    There is a step-wise process to learning to move again, and this isn’t new science. The stages infants and toddlers go through to learn basic human movement skills - rolling over, sitting up, crawling, squatting and walking - serve as a template for exercise programming in SCI rehab.

    Likewise, the process of learning to move again requires a baseline of body awareness and understanding. From there, we progress through exercises which promote body connection, efficient movement patterning and, lastly, over-loading the movements for deeper and lasting change.

    This section of From the Ground Up covers concepts such as neuroplasticity, fascial tensegrity and strategies for full-body integration after paralysis - laying the foundation for best implementation of the exercises shared in Part III.

  • Finally, the exercises.

    We firmly believe that understanding the ‘why’ behind the movements is critical to taking ownership of the process. That’s why we placed the exercises here, towards the end of the book, to give you just a few ways to implement the concepts discussed previously.

    The exercise library – incorporating both floor-based and equipment routines – targets SCI-specific goals, like seated posture and lower-body anchoring for upper-body mobilization. Full-color photos with step-by-step instructions on set-up, spotting, modifications, and objectives make it easy to apply concepts from Part II.

    This section also offers three extensive assessment protocols, to be used depending on the particular presentation or level of SCI. Programming guidelines help you build a step-wise program, working through the Framework discussed in Part II and appropriate challenges unique to the individual.

  • This section serves as a brief reference for those who are new to working with SCI with concluding notes on staying safe during exercise, technical details of SCI, and further reading on topics discussed throughout the book.

What readers are saying.

  • "There is so much that I wish I knew earlier in my recovery.

    I am much more aware of engaging my core, pushing down with my legs to my feet, and body alignment. You both are inspiring to me and I thank you for all your hard work in helping your SCI athletes. You have helped me so much already in a short period of time.”

    — Charlotte Willman, SCI athlete

  • “What can I say, the book is amazing. It’s everything I would hope for and more.

    I’m so impressed by how you not only educate but also smoothly navigate those sensitive and often emotionally charged topic areas. The book side-steps abilist perspectives and norms, always promoting the individual's engagement along with guidance over prescribed instruction and ultimatums. This is the book I was looking for.

    — Calum Glendenning-Clark, SCI athlete

  • “The Zebrafish Neuro approach to SCI rehab is a refreshing departure from traditional physical therapy for SCI.

    Rather than focusing on functional goals and using compensations to get there, it emphasizes how to achieve optimal movement by maximizing all available muscle groups and fascial connections. “

    — Doreen Hall, DPT, physical therapist working with spinal cord injuries

  • "The Zebrafish Team have long been voices I turn to as teammates in the field of neural-resilience and physical potential.

    I’m excited to be moving into a world where their work helps to shift the lexicon and cultural understanding of how a movement practice can guide so many in integrating pieces of not just their body, but the lives they may have assumed lost to circumstance. This is work that helps to bridge the gap between physical realities and individualized priorities and goals.”

    — James Crader, somatic and movement coach

  • "The emphasis on approaching function as a group of systems vs isolated muscles has been particularly effective in improving my mindset,

    as well as taking time to identify how each muscle interacts with one another. I've been trying to focus a lot on using fascial lines to create movement and I'm seeing success in my rolling and crawling patterns.

    — Rahul Sinha, SCI athlete

  • “I appreciate this approach because if it leaves a lot of room to develop meaningful recovery goals that go beyond ‘standing and walking’.

    I find this empowering because I can be more thoughtful about what’s actually going to be functional in my life as an SCI athlete. Thanks so much for creating this, it’s been truly life-changing and I really have learned so much about SCI rehab beyond ABT and traditional PT which I was basically told were my only options.”

    — Lindsay Ulrey, PsyD, PMH-C, SCI athlete

  • "I can barely put it down.

    I wish I had purchased it before I left as an inpatient. I love how you think outside the box and implement developmental movement patterns, exercise, bodywork, myofascial release, electrical stimulation and neuro-sensitization techniques to help utilize neuroplasticity to meet individualized functional goals. I will be sharing this book with my SCI support groups, PT classmates, Craig Hospital PT & Barrow Neurological Institute PT.

    — Janey Shafer, physical therapist & SCI athlete

FAQs

  • For individuals with SCI: If you’re looking for a clear path forward in your recovery program, our step-wise approach will help you get you to the top. Complete with discussions on movement theory and instructions on exercise implementation, this book helps individuals with any injury SCI develop sustainable recovery programs without the need to hire a trainer.

    For SCI recovery specialists & neuro physical therapists: Looking for a fresh perspective to help your clients or patients obtain lasting neurological connections? Just starting out working with SCI athletes? Our Framework for Recovery will help you organize the process of neurological recovery while the exercise library will give you new ideas on how to implement the concepts. Optimize your current training methods and you won’t see the process of SCI rehab the same.

    For movement professionals new to SCI: Just starting out working with SCI athletes? This book demystifies the challenges of working with SCI and introduces important considerations for effective training of a challenged nervous system.

  • We are no longer shipping out of the United States at this time, due to rising and unpredictable import taxes.

    If you are outside of these regions, we encourage you to purchase the e-book (on Apple Books) or inquire directly with our team about a special arrangement.

  • Yes, available on Google Play and Apple Books.

  • Yes! However, we did not reformat the book to fit a standard tablet or iPhone, and so the pages will appear square on your device. You may need to zoom in on the text and scroll if you are reading the book on an iPhone.

    Click here to download an e-pub sample to see how it reads for you on your preferred device.

  • Yes, after purchasing the e-book, you are eligible to order the print version for only $25 if requested within 45 days of the e-book purchase date. Only shipping to US and restricted international locations.

    Please see the BOOK BUNDLE information page for more information.

  • Our FTGU Book Club offers chapter-by-chapter podcast-style discussions to help you preview or review the material, making it easy to digest for you auditory learners.

  • Yes! We offer discounts for bulk orders. Inquire with our team for details.

Have more questions?

More of an auditory learner?

Join the FTGU Book Club (FREE!) to listen to our chapter-by-chapter podcast-style discussions to preview or review the material.

To our readers,

This book is a culmination of our years of learning, experimenting, feeling, and observing movement. It is a passion project and the pursuit of a longtime dream for both of us. Through many years and thousands of hours of research inside and outside the gym, we have endeavored to give you the book we wish we had in the beginning.

We hope this book launches every SCI athlete or trainer who reads it to places we have not been ourselves, and we’re excited for you to explore a new world of paralysis rehab with us.

Still not sure?

Return your purchase within 30 days, no questions asked.

Just send us an email, and we’ll send you return postage and refund minus a $25 shipping and re-stocking fee.