A man who was told he may never walk again has regained some movement in his legs just six weeks after trying alternative therapy.

Oscar Lotis broke his back in a freak accident in May 2008 and has been in a wheelchair since.

But the 25-year-old was determined to try anything and, after looking at alternative therapies, found a clinic in London.

Since beginning weekly sessions at The Mind Clinic as well as spending three hours a day practising the techniques, Mr Lotis is now able to twitch his toe and has muscle returning to his legs.

Mr Lotis, of Wellington Road, Brighton, said: “I wasn't offered a great deal of hope by the hospital doctors. But I was convinced I would get back on my feet.

“After my first session at the clinic I felt like a pressure was lifted off my shoulders, because I just knew that this would happen.

“Now I've come to the decision that I don't really like the word hope. I prefer believe, since I have a sound belief this is going to work.”

The treatment Mr Lotis is undergoing uses a combination of techniques, including extensive workouts, breathing exercises, meditation and mind focusing.

He said: “The idea is to switch the muscles back on to the idea of moving again. So there is a lot of focusing and meditation to pass messages to the legs.

“It is a mind over matter-type therapy, but there is a lot more to it than just that. The therapy just makes a lot of sense to me.”

Mr Lotis' injuries were caused after he passed out and fell from a first-floor window, crushing his spinal cord and breaking five vertebrae.

He is determined to carry on with the treatment and has set himself a challenge to raise funds towards the £12,000 a year it will cost.

On September 1, he will join 12 friends to cycle more than 300 miles from Brighton to Land's End. During the ten-day trip, named The Big Push, Mr Lotis will push himself on a hand-pedal cycle which his wheelchair will be attached to.

He said: “I wanted to do something that would challenge me and I have had amazing support from my friends.

“We are not a typical sort of fitness-focused group of friends but it has definitely become the case in the past few months.”

To sponsor the group, visit www.thebigpush.co.uk.