Next Steps Chicago

What Next Steps Chicago does

Next Steps Chicago, legally the Next Steps of O'Connor Foundation, is a non-profit, freestanding neurological rehabilitation center headquartered in Willow Springs, Illinois. Founded in 2004 by Jon O'Connor following his own spinal cord injury, the center operates as the first freestanding non-profit neuro rehabilitation facility in Chicagoland, delivering one-on-one physical therapy, occupational therapy, and a cash-based Neuro-Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (NAFW) program for individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions. The clinical team of licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and neuro exercise specialists serves patients across the lifespan, including a pediatric program for developmental delays.

The center is distinguished by an unusually advanced hardware portfolio for an outpatient non-profit, including the FDA-approved ONWARD ARC-EX spinal cord stimulator (one of the first two U.S. outpatient clinics to offer it), the Ekso Indego robotic exoskeleton, the Lokomat body weight-supported treadmill, Strolll augmented reality gait goggles (first U.S. outpatient deployment), the RT 300 FES cycle, the Xcite functional electrical stimulation system, the BITS balance system, and a Spider Cage universal exercise unit. These technologies are deployed alongside individualized therapy protocols rather than in lieu of hands-on care.

Next Steps is funded through a hybrid model: insurance reimbursable PT/OT services under Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, a cash-based NAFW program for clients whose insurance coverage ends, and charitable donations plus scholarships channeled through partners such as the Paralysis Recovery Foundation. As a founding member of the NeuroRecovery Network through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the center is connected to leading spinal cord injury research while maintaining a community-clinic footprint. Its go-to-market is community-led, driven by referrals from premier institutions such as Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Shriners Hospitals, patient testimonials, and nonprofit partnerships. The organization is privately held, has no venture or private equity backing, and operates from a single facility with 1-10 employees.

Name

Next Steps Chicago

Legal name

Next Steps of O'Connor Foundation

Website

https://nextstepschicago.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Next Steps Chicago is a non-profit neurological rehabilitation center in Willow Springs, Illinois, providing one-on-one physical therapy, occupational therapy, and adaptive fitness to individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke, brain injuries, MS, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neurological Rehabilitation Services

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Neurologic Rehabilitation Centers (Stroke/TBI/SCI/MS/Parkinson’s) (HLADAJAH)

Keywords

• Neurological rehabilitation
• Physical therapy services
• Occupational therapy
• Neuro-adaptive fitness
• Spinal cord recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Willow Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance-based Physical and Occupational Therapy: Reimbursable therapy services covered by Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO. One-on-one PT and OT sessions with licensed therapists.
2. Neuro-Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (NAFW) Cash-Based Program: One-on-one personal training with neuro exercise specialists. Cash-based program for clients when insurance is not an option. Works on personal goals and maintenance to prevent regression.
3. Donations and Scholarships: Non-profit organization funded by donations. Provides Adaptive Fitness and Wellness scholarships to recipients. Donors include individuals and organizations supporting neurological rehabilitation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Next Steps Chicago is a 501(c)(3) non-profit neurological rehabilitation center in Willow Springs / Burr Ridge, Illinois that delivers one-on-one physical therapy, occupational therapy, and a Neuro-Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (NAFW) program for individuals with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions. Treatment is delivered using advanced rehabilitation technology, including robotic exoskeletons, functional electrical stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and balance/AR systems, and is supported through a scholarship fund for underinsured patients.

Product overview

Next Steps Chicago is a non-profit neuro rehabilitation center offering a comprehensive suite of therapeutic services and advanced rehabilitation technology. The organization operates as a unified rehabilitation facility combining one-on-one Physical Therapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Neuro-Adaptive Fitness & Wellness (NAFW) services. The center is distinguished by its portfolio of FDA-approved and cutting-edge therapeutic technologies including the ONWARD ARC-EX spinal cord stimulator, Ekso Indego robotic walking system, Lokomat body weight-supported treadmill, Strolll AR augmented reality goggles, RT 300 FES cycle, Xcite electrical stimulation, BITS balance system, and custom exercise equipment. These technologies work in conjunction with individualized therapy sessions to provide evidence-informed rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, stroke, MS, Parkinson's, cerebral palsy, and other neurological conditions. The organization also provides scholarship programs to ensure accessible pricing for families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• One-on-One Physical Therapy One-on-one physical therapy sessions delivered by licensed physical therapists (PT, DPT) to individuals with spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological conditions, using advanced rehabilitation technology such as robotic exoskeletons, functional electrical stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and balance/AR systems.
• One-on-One Occupational Therapy One-on-one occupational therapy provided by a licensed OTR/L occupational therapist (with Certified Brain Injury Specialist credential) to neurological patients, focused on activities of daily living, functional independence, and integration with the center's rehabilitation technology.
• Neuro-Adaptive Fitness and Wellness (NAFW) Program A specialized fitness and conditioning program for individuals with neurological conditions, managed by certified strength and conditioning and corrective exercise specialists, providing ongoing adaptive exercise and wellness services to complement clinical therapy.
• NAFW Scholarship Program Scholarship-funded access to the Neuro-Adaptive Fitness and Wellness program for underinsured patients, supported by donations and fundraising by the 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of first two outpatient clinics in U.S. to offer FDA-approved ARC-EX spinal cord stimulation for upper extremity function
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ONWARD MedicalcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 December 2024Partnership to provide ARC-EX spinal cord stimulator technology. Next Steps Chicago purchased system in late December 2024 as one of first commercial sales. ARC-EX is first FDA-approved technology indicated to improve hand strength and sensation in people with spinal cord injury.
• Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation (NeuroRecovery Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of the NeuroRecovery Network (NRN), a network of rehabilitation centers developing and providing therapies that promote functional recovery for people living with paralysis. Connected to latest science in neurological rehabilitation while maintaining community clinic environment.
• Governors State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership through Dr. Maryleen K. Jones serving as Assistant Professor. Teaching collaboration for professionals pursuing masters and doctoral degrees in rehabilitation. Next Steps serves as teaching facility for students.
• ClinicalTrials.govminorOthersNext Steps engages in clinical trials at the cutting edge of exploration for people with spinal cord injuries. Linked to ClinicalTrials.gov for trial information.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kennedy Krieger Institute: Non-profit institution in Baltimore specializing in pediatric and adult rehabilitation for spinal cord injury, brain injury, and cerebral palsy. Peer in neurological rehab mission and patient overlap (CP, TBI, SCI).
• Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: Top-ranked rehabilitation hospital in Chicago formerly known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC). Treats the same neurological patient populations (SCI, stroke, TBI, MS, Parkinson's) with advanced technology including robotic exoskeletons and FES, and serves as a referral partner to Next Steps Chicago.
• TIRR Memorial Hermann: Top-ranked rehabilitation hospital in Houston and a NeuroRecovery Network member treating spinal cord injury, stroke, and brain injury patients with robotic and FES-based therapy. Shares patient population, technology orientation, and NRN affiliation with Next Steps.
• Kessler Rehabilitation Center: Network of outpatient rehabilitation centers in the Northeast treating stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other neurological conditions with one-on-one therapy. Direct peer in the outpatient neurorehab space, though larger and more geographically distributed than Next Steps.
• Craig Hospital: Non-profit neurorehabilitation hospital in Denver specializing in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury. Operates a similar mission-driven, hospital-level technology model and shares the same SCI-focused clinical approach as Next Steps Chicago.
• Magee Rehabilitation Hospital: Non-profit neurorehabilitation hospital in Philadelphia with a specialized spinal cord injury program and activity-based therapy. Operates a similar non-profit, mission-driven model serving patients with SCI, stroke, TBI, and other neurological conditions.

Emerging players

• NeuroHope of Indiana: Smaller non-profit outpatient neurorehabilitation center in Indianapolis offering activity-based therapy for SCI, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Closest analog in size and mission to Next Steps Chicago in a different geography.

Others

• ReWalk Robotics: Manufacturer of exoskeleton devices used in SCI rehabilitation; referenced via NAFW program manager Creighton Goss's ReWalk certification. Adjacent ecosystem participant in the neurorehab technology stack.
• ONWARD Medical: Manufacturer of the FDA-approved ARC-EX spinal cord stimulator that Next Steps Chicago was one of the first two U.S. outpatient clinics to acquire. Core technology partner and a key enabler of Next Steps' SCI service line.
• Ekso Bionics: Manufacturer of the Ekso Indego robotic walking system used at Next Steps Chicago. Equipment vendor enabling the clinic's advanced gait therapy offering for SCI, stroke, and MS patients.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nextstepschicago
• Instagraminstagram.com/nextstepsofficial?igsh=MW1uZjUzeHIxdWZwZg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nextsteps-chicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Next Steps Chicago