CoastalSpine : A team approach to care

CoastalSpine

What is a Center of Excellence?
Centers of Excellence make use of clinical protocols and specialists who dedicate themselves to understanding the most advanced treatment methods for a particular problem. Centers of Excellence house spine surgeons along with physiatrists who excel in getting back pain sufferers back to activity without surgery. Typically the most advanced spine centers in the United States use PM&R physicians as their experts in nonsurgical treatment of spine problems. Their training focuses on understanding how posture, walking, standing and sitting all affect the spine. They are the nation's recognized experts in curing back and neck strain - without surgery.

What is specialized therapy?
A Center of Excellence should feature all the necessary treatments and diagnostic technology all under one roof so a back pain sufferer is not required to travel around for various services. For example, getting a prescription for physical therapy and having to drive across town to a physical therapy clinic that splits its time and expertise among elbows, sore knees and sore shoulders, CoastalSpine has therapists on-site, treating nothing but spine problems. Consequently, these therapists attend advanced educational programs to stay current with the most advanced back treatments, something a general therapist would be unable to do. A manual therapist is a physical therapist who has completed advanced education in specific areas. It is the highest level of training for a physical therapist. Research has shown that complex problems like back pain are treated more successfully through a multi-disciplinary approach, involving the best aspects of many complementary back specialists. The strength of CoastalSpine lies in the medical expertise brought by a variety of complementary specialists, like physical medicine, orthopedic surgery and physical therapy.

What are protocols?
Through the use of written clinical protocols, physicians take a uniform approach to managing injured backs. This ensures that no one will get unnecessary or premature surgery. A patient who goes to a Center of Excellence that does not use protocols will notice that he or she may get a different diagnosis and treatment recommendation if they see two different doctors in the same clinic, or if they come back for a second visit. Written protocols ensure quality in health care, rather than random medical care, where the physician merely "wings it." CoastalSpine's protocols also eliminate diagnostic tests and uncomfortable procedures when they are not necessary. This saves the patient unnecessary pain, discomfort and money. Clinical protocols act as guidelines to ensure that the right thing is done, at the right time, every time. In a sense, having such protocols makes sure all physicians in the center are practicing the same kind of medicine – the best medicine. Unlike other clinics, CoastalSpine also measures clinical outcomes by tracking the status of the patient at the time of first visit and comparing it to his or her functional status after treatment. Patient satisfaction is also measured to ensure that patients have minimal waiting time, get a sufficient amount of time with the doctor and that all physicians, therapists and staff are responsive to the patient.

Below are some of the facets of our multidisciplinary approach:

Physical Therapy
CoastalSpine has a licensed physical therapist and physical therapy assistant. The program emphasizes rapid progression to functional activities starting with symptom control through the strengthening and conditioning phase. The physical therapy treatment area meets the needs of the low level patient to the high functioning patient utilizing a spectrum of equipment. The facility includes treatment booths for modalities; strength training equipment for spine & joint specific strengthening, pulleys, free weights and cardiovascular equipment. Click here for more information about physical therapy.

Work Injury Response Program
To improve your company's bottom line by providing services to save on healthcare costs while still providing your employees with quality care and coordination, we at the CoastalSpine can design an occupational health program specific to your company's needs.

Need more information on back and neck pain?
Click here to view resource books on spine problems, what causes back pain, what causes neck pain and when to see the doctor.