Spine Colorado - center of excellence, Durango

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 typically involve individuals who are "fellowship trained," the highest level of training available for surgeons. The Centers of Excellence also integrate all diagnostic tools and treatments related to a specific problem.

SpineColorado, for example, is a spine center of excellence. It includes Jim Youssef, M.D., Cyril Bohachevsky, M.D., and Mara Isser-Sax, D.O. SpineColorado has spine surgeons, physical medicine physicians, manual therapists, RNs, diagnostic tools and other treatments all under one roof. The intent is to provide a variety of non-surgical solutions for the back and neck pain sufferer.

Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR), or physiatry, is a specialty that excels in getting back pain sufferers back to activity without surgery. Typically, the most advanced spine centers in the United States use physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) physicians as experts in non-surgical 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 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, instead of getting a prescription for physical therapy and having to drive across town to a physical therapy clinic that divides its time and expertise among elbows, sore knees and sore shoulders, SpineColorado has manual 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 available for a physical therapist.

Research has shown that complex problems like back pain are treated more successfully through a multidisciplinary approach, involving the best aspects of many complementary back specialists. The strength of SpineColorado 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 that does not utilize 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.

SpineColorado protocols eliminate diagnostic tests and uncomfortable procedures when they really 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, SpineColorado 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.

Need more information on back and neck pain?
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