At West Michigan Neuro & Functional Rehabilitation, our mission is simple: deliver exceptional, personalized care for individuals navigating neurological injury, chronic movement issues, or pain — without the limitations of insurance-driven models. We offer evidence-based neurological rehab and hands-on bodywork therapies, helping our clients improve function, restore confidence, and move forward with expert support.

At West Michigan Neuro & Functional Rehabilitation, we hold ourselves to the highest clinical standards. All therapists on staff are either certified in — or actively pursuing certification in — specialized neurological treatment approaches, such as Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT), Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialist (CSRS), Neuro-IFRAH, or Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credentials. We believe that treating the brain and nervous system requires a deep understanding of neuroanatomy, movement science, and rehabilitation strategy — not just general therapy knowledge.

Our growing team includes occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists, all dedicated to delivering exceptional care rooted in clinical excellence, ongoing education, and a shared passion for neurological recovery.

The clinic is led by Casey Hayes OTR/L, a neuro-focused occupational therapist with a deep passion for restoring movement and quality of life through science-backed, individualized care.

Casey began his academic journey at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science, graduating Summa Cum Laude. There, he completed a research internship at The Rehab Hospital of the Pacific, where he helped design exercise programs for cancer survivors and contributed to scientific literature on post-treatment recovery alongside Dr. Paulette Yamada and Dr. Cheri Teranishi.

He continued his education at Stanbridge University in Irvine, California, earning a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, again graduating Summa Cum Laude. His graduate thesis explored the use of exoskeletons in stroke recovery, and he was later selected to present his research at the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC) Conference in Pasadena.

As a Presidential Fellow at the High Hopes Head Injury Program, Casey trained under renowned neuro rehab expert Mark Desmond, working with cutting-edge technologies like Lokomats, exoskeletons, and virtual reality to help patients recovering from TBI, stroke, MS, and other neurologically complex conditions.

He later joined Thrive Therapy Services, a top neuro rehab provider in Southern California led by Whitney Boetel OTR/L, C/NDT, a leading neuro rehab specialist in Southern California. Here, Casey further developed his skills and passion for neuro rehabilitation. Casey then trained under Andrew Dyjak OTR/L, CMT, earning certification in Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). There, he developed and refined a specialized approach to therapeutic bodywork — combining techniques like IASTM (Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization), facilitated stretching (PNF, pin & stretch, contract-relax), mobility work, and neuromuscular re-education to help patients overcome pain, inflammation, limited range of motion, and postural dysfunction.

Beyond the clinic, Casey co-founded Adventure Pals California with Adrian Ricasata OTR/L, a nonprofit initiative that brought clients with mobility limitations to theme parks like Disneyland, California Adventure, and Universal Studios, helping them safely transfer onto rides and experience moments of joy they once thought were impossible.

After nearly a decade in Hawai‘i and several years in California, Casey and his wife returned to West Michigan — their hometown — to raise a family and build something meaningful. West Michigan Neuro & Functional Rehabilitation was founded to bring specialized, high-quality care to the community that helped shape them.