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Home >> Treatment >> Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

A key feature that differentiates SpineAustin from other clinics that treat back and neck pain is our spine-specialized therapy department.

In many unspecialized clinics, a physician will see the patient, perform an examination, and then refer the back pain sufferer to a physical therapy clinic across town. This general "evaluate and treat" prescription for physical therapy is all too common. Often, a general physical therapist will start from scratch by forming their own evaluation and assessment, without the benefit of knowing the patient's diagnostic test results from the doctor.

Physical Therapist, Greg House, works with a client in the on-site PT clinic at SpineAustin.

This general physical therapist often sees a wide variety of problems every day, such as patients with sore elbows, sore knees, and sore shoulders. In most cases, this general therapist has a very limited understanding of how to treat specific types of back problems. At best, a general physical therapist has taken a couple courses on how to perform therapy for a back or neck injury.

A general physical therapist may also rely too heavily on passive "modalities," such as ice, heat or ultrasound, to treat back pain. This may not be the best choice, as research has shown that using these passive treatments is NOT the best way to return someone to activity efficiently.

Benefits of Physical Therapy

Trent McGinty is the Director of PT at SpineAustin.

Physical therapy increases flexibility and strengthens muscles that support the spine. Future back strain may be prevented by improved strength and flexibility. A therapist may make partial use of passive methods such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat or ice. Additionally, the spine therapist will emphasize dynamic treatments such as mobilization and exercises to lessen pain and get you back to activity.

How our spine center differs

Research has proven that Centers of Excellence can improve the care of heart problems, cancer, asthma and diabetes, along with back and neck problems. We direct our time and resources at solving spine problems. Rather than having to drive all over town to visit doctors with different specialties, a spine center of excellence consolidates specialists under one roof. This focus helps us create and implement the best possible treatment solutions for you.

What does this mean for you?

Instead of receiving a general treatment approach, the SpineAustin therapist is specialized in the treatment of back and neck pain. Our therapists have advanced, hands-on skills that can help relieve your pain and get your injured muscles, tissues and spinal structures moving again. Instead of a single school of thought, you get the benefit of being treated by a specialist with a variety of skills who can choose the ones that best match your particular problem.

Although we emphasize a nonsurgical approach to back treatment, some cases do require surgery. As with anything else in life, practice makes perfect. SpineAustin surgeons specialize in spine surgery and handle the most complex surgical cases including disc herniation and disease, spinal fractures and spinal deformities, such as pediatric and adult scoliosis and spinal tumors.