If you are tired of suffering from chronic neck or back pain, you may benefit from a unique, outpatient rehabilitation program newly opened at Alvarado Hospital. Called SpineZone, this state-of-the-art facility has been scientifically proven to result in an 80% success rate in patients suffering from chronic back and neck pain. It also has been shown to decrease the risk of recurring pain episodes.

 

SpineZone is the most recent addition to Alvarado Hospital’s Advanced Spine Institute & Minimally Invasive Spine Center, all of which serve the singular aim of comprehensive treatment of patients with enduring back and neck pain. SpineZone may be a valuable resource if the standard approaches of rest, over-the counter medications and general physical therapies have failed to offer you worthwhile results. SpineZone also is beneficial for those who wish to try back- or neck-specific rehabilitation before surgery to possibly prevent surgery, as well for post-surgery patients who are required to improve strength and flexibility.

 

There are three key factors that can lead to successful spine rehabilitation:

 

The design of the equipment is based on the results of more than 25 years of clinical research. These remarkable, computerized machines conduct test procedures that reveal a patient’s spinal strength and range of motion, as well as define how the patient compares with the strength of healthy individuals of the same age. This testing provides therapists with accurate baseline data to establish individualized goals. From this point, your progress can be accurately measured and objectively monitored by your referring physician. Furthermore, these measurements offer essential motivation toward achieving your specific goals.

 

More importantly, the key benefit of the SpineZone machines over typical therapeutic exercise equipment is how they target and isolate specific spine muscles to maximize strength and flexibility. While exercising, larger muscles will typically dominate over weaker spine muscles, which limits the capacity for the weaker muscles to become stronger. SpineZone exercise machines are designed to inhibit the use of larger muscles, which benefit the smaller spinal muscles. This increases the blood flow to the injured area and provides nutrition to the surrounding muscles and joints to promote healing.

 

By targeting, isolating and strengthening specific spinal muscles, patients are able to promote greater stability, flexibility and endurance for a healthier, more active quality of life.

 

SpineZone combines bio-mechanically advanced machines with scientifically proven approaches to manual therapy. Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), also known as the McKenzie Method, is a comprehensive approach to spinal problems based on a mechanical assessment of the back and neck. This assessment leads to therapeutic exercises personalized for the patient.

 

Most low back and neck pain tends to be intermittent. Frequently, these changing symptoms depend on movements you make in the course of a day. An experienced practitioner, skilled in using the MDT-assessment technique, is most often able to accurately assess the origin of your problem. Once this is discovered, you can be given the appropriate therapeutic exercises and empowered with the knowledge of how to manage your symptoms correctly through a long-term, self-management program.

 

SpineZone has specific protocols for treating a variety of issues, such as chronic mechanical back and neck pain, disc herniations, musculoskeletal disorders, and post-surgical healing. Of course, not all lower back and neck problems can be resolved without surgery. Following surgery, strengthening muscles of the spine may help the patient return to normal functional ability more quickly.

 

More Benefits

 

For more information about the benefits for your physician and for you, click here.

 

Alvarado’s physician referral service can help find a spine specialist who meets your needs. To find a physician, call our Advanced Spine Institute coordinator at 619-229-7046, click on the Physician Finder or call toll-free 800-ALVARADO (800-258-2723). Additional information regarding SpineZone and our Advanced Spine Institute & Minimally Invasive Spine Center is available by calling the above numbers and online.