Prof. V. Kozyavkin

Volodymyr Kozyavkin was a Hero of Ukraine, Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, and Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine. He was a prominent Ukrainian doctor, scientist, and specialist in neurology and medical rehabilitation, and served as the Medical Director of the Kozyavkin International Rehabilitation Clinic LLC.

Volodymyr Kozyavkin was born on June 9, 1947, in the village of Ostrozhets, Mlynivsky District, Rivne Region. He graduated from the medical faculty of the Grodno Medical Institute in 1971.

Professor Kozyavkin's experience as a neurologist and manual therapist, coupled with his observations of changes in muscle tone in adults after spinal manipulation, led him to adapt manual therapy techniques for children based on their anatomical and physiological characteristics. In the mid-1980s, this new approach yielded exceptional results, with patients experiencing a decrease in muscle tone and an increase in their range of motion.

Volodymyr Kozyavkin held several key positions throughout his career. He served as the head of the Elita Rehabilitation Center in Lviv from 1989, the Institute of Medical Rehabilitation Problems from 1996, and the International Clinic for Rehabilitation from 2003. He developed the Kozyavkin method, a groundbreaking technology for treating patients with cerebral palsy, which gained international recognition for its effectiveness.

Over the past 30 years, more than 70,000 patients from 63 countries, including Poland, Germany, Austria, Romania, the CIS, the USA, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, have undergone rehabilitation courses using Professor Kozyavkin's method. A remarkable 93% of patients have observed positive and stable results, establishing the method as a highly effective rehabilitation system.

The polymodal rehabilitation system encompasses various therapeutic methods that complement and reinforce each other. Its primary goal is to improve the quality of life for patients with cerebral palsy and enhance their social adaptation.

Under Professor Kozyavkin's guidance, a new approach to training human movements and forming correct motor stereotypes was implemented using the "spiral" movement correction suit. Specialized computer rehabilitation games were developed to improve the effectiveness of motor function training, increasing patient motivation. Professor Kozyavkin also developed a telemetric system for analyzing the biomechanics of movements in patients with cerebral palsy, enabling detailed studies of their peculiarities.

The clinic collaborates closely with institutions such as the Shupyk Kyiv Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, the Ukrainian Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Neurology and Psychiatry, Lviv Medical University, Munich Children's Center, and the Karolinska Institute. Their current objective is to conduct a blind randomized clinical trial of the Kozyavkin treatment system, partnering with reputable medical institutions worldwide and adhering to evidence-based medicine standards.

Professor Kozyavkin's rehabilitation system has been presented at various national and international congresses and conferences. These include the European Academy of Childhood Disability, the International Association of Pediatric Neurologists, and the European Federation of Neurological Societies, among others.

In 2009, the Ukrainian rehabilitation system was discussed at the International Conference on the Social Adaptation of Disabled Persons in Brussels, held at the European Parliament's headquarters. Professor Kozyavkin was personally invited by Mr. Marek Siwiec, the Vice-President of the European Parliament, to showcase the Ukrainian technology of intensive rehabilitation. The Kozyavkin method was recognized as the best medical practice by the European Medical Association (EMA) in 2017.

Professor Kozyavkin received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1994, he was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine." He received the State Prize of Ukraine in Science and Technology in 1999 and was honored with the title of Hero of Ukraine by the President of Ukraine in August 2001. He also received orders and certificates of honor from various institutions, including the Order of Yaroslav the Wise (2006) and the Order of Merit (1997).

On December 16, 2022, Volodymyr Illich Kozyavkin, a distinguished medical practitioner, professor, and scientist, passed away at the age of 75. His contributions to medicine and rehabilitation were invaluable, providing hope and care to countless patients worldwide. His passing is a significant loss for his young patients, their families, and the global medical community.