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Home >> About Us >> Centers of Excellence

Centers of Excellence

Centers of excellence utilize clinical protocols and specialists who are dedicated to understanding the most advanced treatment methods for a particular problem. Centers of Excellence feature spine surgeons, physiatrists and therapists who have specialized training and experience in helping back pain sufferers return to activity without surgery.

Typically, the most advanced spine centers in the United States use PMR physicians (physiatrists) because they have advanced training in non-surgical treatment of spine problems. They focus on understanding how posture, walking, standing and sitting affect the spine. Physiatrists have specialized training that helps patients recover from back and neck strain — without surgery.*

What is specialized therapy?

Back and neck pain sufferers shouldn't have to travel all over town to see various doctors. A Center of Excellence provides all the specialists and diagnostic technology that is necessary to treat patients. As part of your care you may see a team of spine specialists, including a spine therapist. Rather than starting from scratch, this therapist works off of information gleaned from the previous physician's evaluation, picking up where they left off.

Physical Therapist, Trent McGinty works a patient in the on-site PT clinic at SpineAustin.

Unlike a physical therapy clinic that divides its time and expertise among multiple focuses, SpineAustin provides on-site therapists that specialize in spine. These therapists attend advanced educational programs to stay up-to-date on the most advanced back treatments.

Research has shown that complex problems such as back pain are treated more successfully with a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of many back specialists. The strength of SpineAustin lies in the medical expertise brought in by a variety of specialists who complement each other, including experts in physical medicine, orthopedic surgery and physical therapy.

*Source: Treat Your Back Without Surgery, published by Hunter House, 1st and 2nd editions.

Treat Your Back Without Surgery is co-authored by a prominent spine surgeon and founder of one of the first and largest spine centers in the U.S., along with the President of Prizm Development Inc., which specializes in spine center development nationally. The book has been endorsed by both business leaders and medical directors as a helpful guide for those seeking a nonsurgical approach to back and neck pain.

*Source: The concept of centers of excellence is widely supported by Medicare, managed care leaders and business leaders. One of the most widely quoted persons on this subject is Dr. Regina Herzlinger, professor at Harvard Business School. She is the author of two highly respected textbooks on the subjects of "focused factories" for excellence in health care.

1. Market Driven Health Care, 1997.

2. Consumer Driven Health Care, 2004.

What are protocols?

Through the use of written clinical protocols, physicians take a uniform approach to managing injured backs. This ensures that patients do not receive unnecessary recommendations for surgery.

SpineAustin’s written protocols ensure quality in healthcare, because they prevent a physician from just "winging it." Our protocols also eliminate diagnostic tests and uncomfortable procedures when they are not necessary. This not only saves the patient from unnecessary pain and discomfort but also can reduce costs.

Clinical protocols act as guidelines to ensure that the right thing is done at the right time, every time. It ensures that physicians are using a consistent approach at every step along the way.

With a team approach, Dr. Moroz and Dr. Lowenstein discuss treatment options for a patient with a spine condition.

Some facets of our multidisciplinary approach

Physical therapy

SpineAustin uses licensed therapists who are specialized in spine. These therapists have advanced training in special disciplines like McKenzie. Our program emphasizes rapid return to activity. The common thread that weaves through SpineAustin's rehab is an exercise approach to relieving back and neck pain symptoms. Learn more about our physical therapy expertise.

Minimally invasive spine surgery

By using minimally invasive techniques, access and repair to the damaged disc or vertebrae is achieved without harming nearby muscles and tissues. Other benefits of minimally invasive techniques include shorter surgery duration and recovery time, smaller incisions, less visible scars and reduced blood loss. Learn more about our minimally invasive surgical treatment.