Neck and back pain are the most common musculoskeletal complaints a patient pursue medical care for. Most neck and back pain are mechanical in nature, meaning that it is generated from combination of poor mobility, poor flexibility, strength and endurance. Bellin Health Sports Medicines Spine Team is a team of expertly trained Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants with up to 17 years of experience managing neck and back pain. Four of our team members are board Certified Clinical Specialists in Orthopedics and one is Fellowship trained in manual orthopedic physical therapy through the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists.
Interventions used by our diverse team include manual therapy, spinal mobilization and manipulation to restore joint mobility and ease pain, soft tissue mobilization, motor control reeducation, strength and flexibility assessment and treatment with exercise emphasizing core stabilization training, Feldenkrais “Awareness Through Movement” concepts and more. Care is provided on a individual one-on-one basis and focuses on not only resolving your current condition, but on improving your ability to successfully prevent further injury or to manage long standing chronic conditions more successfully.
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What is Spinal Rehabilitation?
Rehabilitation of the spine, whether for acute or chronic, surgical or non-surgical problems consists of four primary components: 1. Aerobic Conditioning to promote improved cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and the ability to manage pain. The Surgeon General recommends thirty minutes, five days weekly of routine aerobic activity. 2. Adequate Flexibility of your muscles and mobility of your joints. We tend to lose both as we age. Through appropriate activity levels this does not need to be the case. 3. Develop appropriate Strength & Stability, and Balance & Coordination that allow us to resume normal daily activities and work tasks without on-going pain and re-injury. 4. Develop appropriate Body Mechanics and Movement Patterns for you. Poor posture and work habits tend to become habitual and can lead to less than optimal use of our spine and extremities that can contribute to developing painful conditions.
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Who is Appropriate for Spine Therapy?
Over 80% of Americans will suffer from spine pain at some point in their lives, some of which will develop into chronic problems. The good news is most painful conditions of the spine can be treated successfully. Old or young, first time or repeat back injury or after surgery to the spine we can offer you help. Often, people just don’t know what to do about their pain, what is normal pain they have to live with or what can be improved. In therapy you will receive care and education that answers these questions for you and empowers you to take an active role in resolving and managing your condition. Research has shown that manual therapy in combination with exercise is by far the most effective treatment for both acute and chronic spinal conditions. We take great pride in providing you the finest evidence based care, basing your treatment upon what the most current evidence supports being the most effective treatment for your condition.
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Treatment
The treatment you receive will vary depending on the condition you have. In most cases your care will emphasize restoring mobility to your entire system. That means improving mobility to the specific vertebral segments and joints in your spine, as well as those of your pelvis and extremities often using joint mobilization and manipulation techniques. It all works together to create an optimally functioning human being. In addition, you will be educated on your condition and taught what you need to do to feel better. That includes, for most people, starting routine aerobic exercise that is low impact in nature, improving your muscle and joint flexibility, and strengthening specific muscle groups that stabilize and facilitate optimal movement in your spine. For some people this will mean assertive strengthening programs. For others, programs focused on improving movement patterns and awareness will be more effective, utilizing our Certified Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement Instructor. Our staff has the ability to tailor your personal program to your specific condition, needs and work demands. We also can help you with your chronic headache and TMJ conditions, which are often related to stresses we place on our spine.
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Location
We have therapists available to work with you at our Bellin Health East and West side locations. Our West side location is just off of I-172 and Packerland in Ashwaubenon, and our Center for Spine Rehabilitation is in the Bellin Health Whitney Center on the corner of Webster and Pine.
Bellin Health Sports Medicine West
1640 Commanche Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54313
920 430-4750
Bellin Health Center For Spine Rehabilitation
215 North Webster Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54301
920 433-3638, Ext. #2
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Meet our team of experts
- Cheryl Haag, PT
- Tracy Heim, PT
- Sherri Kelley, PTA, Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner
- Brian Muehlbauer, PT, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
- Phil Schaible, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist, Fellowship Trained in Manual Orthopedic Physical Therapy
- Andrew Taber, PT, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
- Jill Wentworth, PTA, Specializing in Osteoperosis Treatment
- Todd Winney, PT, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist
