Page 16 - Indulge October/November 2014
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Vacations and off-time are the single point of contact between the
prime times for developing patient, the primary care physician and
back pain. the team of spinal specialists.
Maybe it’s the long drive that makes
Amy Huber is in that role at Easton
WREHLAIETFA! your lower back just ache. Maybe it’s the Hospital. “It’s rewarding to see so many
lumpy hotel mattress that throws your patients move from start to finish and see
hips out of whack. how their lives are transformed by the
treatment options,” she says.
Maybe it’s a long day of shopping or a
night out on the town. No matter what it Treatments at such programs
is, the next day is a mix of hobbling and often combine physical therapy, pain
wincing as you deal with the fallout. management and, as a last resort, spinal
surgery. Here’s what to look for in
Sadly, back issues don’t just happen treatment programs.
on vacation. Back pain can happen at
home, when out or at work and to just MCKENZIE METHOD
about anyone who sits too long, moves
without proper body mechanics or is a bit Not all physical therapy is equal. The
out of shape. Sound familiar? It should. McKenzie method offers a mechanical
diagnosis that works to pinpoint the
Experts estimate that nearly 80 cause of the pain. And treatment involves
your own elbow grease — patients are
REAL BACK percent of the U.S. population will be highly involved in treatment, using
PAIN CALLS affected by back and neck pain at some education, exercises and equipment to
FOR REAL point in their lives. prevent their specific pain.
For those suffering from acute back TRUE PAIN MANAGEMENT
pain, the big question is how to treat it.
Rather than mask the pain, look for
Time is one option. After a few weeks, pain management experts who, as Huber
the body can spring back to normal. Pain says, “create custom plans that identify
the sources of pain, lessen that pain and
REMEDY relievers are another common option. assist with recovery.”
Both can do the trick.
LAST RESORT SURGERY
When those treatments fall short, you
Be wary of going under the knife right
need another option. A comprehensive off the bat.
spine program can be the answer. “Surgery is a delicate decision,” says
Loguidice. “One that involves a strong
Most medical offices offer a single patient relationship, detailed discussion
of options and clear set of outcomes.”
approach to treatment — they offer
So no more hobbling away from the
spine adjustments, therapy exercises or garden, limping off the golf course or
slouching after a day of chasing the kids
injections. A comprehensive program, or grandkids.
on the other hand, combines a multi- Instead, find a comprehensive spine
management program that can soothe
disciplinary team under one roof. the crick in your neck, pain in your back
or the knot in your lumbar.
In the Greater Lehigh Valley,
For more info on the program at
orthopedic surgeon Vito Loguidice, Easton Hospital, call (855) SPINE-32.
16 | INDULGE • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 MD, spearheads such a program at
Easton Hospital.
“We aren’t looking to just treat the
pain,” he says. “Our goal is to find
the source of the pain and prevent it
from reoccurring.”
Most comprehensive programs offer
a coordinator who helps navigate a
patient through treatment options and
appointments. That coordinator becomes
prime times for developing patient, the primary care physician and
back pain. the team of spinal specialists.
Maybe it’s the long drive that makes
Amy Huber is in that role at Easton
WREHLAIETFA! your lower back just ache. Maybe it’s the Hospital. “It’s rewarding to see so many
lumpy hotel mattress that throws your patients move from start to finish and see
hips out of whack. how their lives are transformed by the
treatment options,” she says.
Maybe it’s a long day of shopping or a
night out on the town. No matter what it Treatments at such programs
is, the next day is a mix of hobbling and often combine physical therapy, pain
wincing as you deal with the fallout. management and, as a last resort, spinal
surgery. Here’s what to look for in
Sadly, back issues don’t just happen treatment programs.
on vacation. Back pain can happen at
home, when out or at work and to just MCKENZIE METHOD
about anyone who sits too long, moves
without proper body mechanics or is a bit Not all physical therapy is equal. The
out of shape. Sound familiar? It should. McKenzie method offers a mechanical
diagnosis that works to pinpoint the
Experts estimate that nearly 80 cause of the pain. And treatment involves
your own elbow grease — patients are
REAL BACK percent of the U.S. population will be highly involved in treatment, using
PAIN CALLS affected by back and neck pain at some education, exercises and equipment to
FOR REAL point in their lives. prevent their specific pain.
For those suffering from acute back TRUE PAIN MANAGEMENT
pain, the big question is how to treat it.
Rather than mask the pain, look for
Time is one option. After a few weeks, pain management experts who, as Huber
the body can spring back to normal. Pain says, “create custom plans that identify
the sources of pain, lessen that pain and
REMEDY relievers are another common option. assist with recovery.”
Both can do the trick.
LAST RESORT SURGERY
When those treatments fall short, you
Be wary of going under the knife right
need another option. A comprehensive off the bat.
spine program can be the answer. “Surgery is a delicate decision,” says
Loguidice. “One that involves a strong
Most medical offices offer a single patient relationship, detailed discussion
of options and clear set of outcomes.”
approach to treatment — they offer
So no more hobbling away from the
spine adjustments, therapy exercises or garden, limping off the golf course or
slouching after a day of chasing the kids
injections. A comprehensive program, or grandkids.
on the other hand, combines a multi- Instead, find a comprehensive spine
management program that can soothe
disciplinary team under one roof. the crick in your neck, pain in your back
or the knot in your lumbar.
In the Greater Lehigh Valley,
For more info on the program at
orthopedic surgeon Vito Loguidice, Easton Hospital, call (855) SPINE-32.
16 | INDULGE • OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2014 MD, spearheads such a program at
Easton Hospital.
“We aren’t looking to just treat the
pain,” he says. “Our goal is to find
the source of the pain and prevent it
from reoccurring.”
Most comprehensive programs offer
a coordinator who helps navigate a
patient through treatment options and
appointments. That coordinator becomes
