When you step through the
Spine Center’s doors in East Lansing, it’s clear you’re not in your average pain clinic.
For starters, it’s tranquil, rather than sterile-feeling. And it doesn’t smell like chemicals or formaldehyde. The plants (real, not plastic), high ceilings and bright natural light make the reception area feel more like a spa than a traditional doctor’s office.
Spine Center’s CEO, Dave Corteville, explains: “We tried to create an environment at the Spine Center where people walked in and they knew that it was patient-friendly, patient-focused, and that we were here for one reason—to help them.”
The name, “Spine Center” is a bit deceiving because the Spine Center is much more than a back treatment facility. Headaches, sports injuries, and nerve disorders are all treated at the center, which has two large gyms, video game-based physical therapy, a heated pool, private massage and acupuncture rooms, and a staff of some of the country’s best neurosurgeons and physical therapists.
“We don’t know of too many centers like this,” Corteville explains. “We tried to visit a few when we were developing it, and we couldn’t find too many.”
East and WestOne major difference between the Spine Center and other treatment facilities is that it honors both Eastern and Western medicine.
“Acupuncture is also becoming more popular in the U.S.,” says the center’s spokeswoman, Janel Atwood. “And there's a growing body of clinical and anecdotal evidence that it's beneficial, particularly in cases that are difficult to treat with Western techniques, like fibromyalgia."
“In developing their concept and determining exactly what constitutes the spectrum of care for pain patients, the idea of offering Eastern medicine as well as traditional Western medicine grew,” she says.
Lindsay Herrera, Spine Center acupuncturist and massage therapist, explains that Western and Eastern medicine go hand in hand.
“While my approach, as far as my diagnosis and the way I’m going to come at it, is definitely different,” she says, “the ultimate outcome is to heal. I want to learn from the Western medical doctors and I think we can learn from each other and the benefit of that is huge.”
And that learning extends to everyone on staff. “Before Lindsay came on board, I had a limited knowledge of Eastern medicine,” says Atwood. “Since Lindsay's joined us, she's educated everybody about its potential to help many of the patients that come to The Spine Center because it can treat such a wide range of problems.”
A number of patients combine Eastern and Western medicine techniques in their visits. Some patients who are waiting for spinal injections receive acupuncture treatments in hopes that they won’t need the injections.
“I had one patient who presented with pain all over her back, legs, and neck,” Herrera says. “After receiving a series of acupuncture treatments, her pain pattern became clearer and she was then a candidate for spinal injections when she wasn’t before. Just today I spoke with my patient about including PT into her treatment plan. She is interested and I am working with her doctor to get her a referral.”
Tech HealthWhen asked what is unique about the way the staff at the Spine Center works together, Dave Corteville says, “One of the things that is unique here is that all of our physicians and staff carry laptops. Just the communication itself among the staff about your particular condition can enhance your care.”
But technology doesn’t stop there. Part Nintendo Wii, part dance revolution, the Cybex Trazer machine in the lower level of the Spine Center’s PT gym is hooked to a computer so patients can mimic the movements shown on the screen to build strength and balance.
Trazer games like "Goalie Wars," have patients intercepting and "catching" soccer balls thrown by a virtual goalie. Once caught, a ball can be thrown back by lunging forward. (See the Trazer in action
here or
here)
“A lot of people, because of pain, are so guarded, and they forget how to move fluidly or normally," says Sharon Reynolds, lead physical therapist. "And so they interact with this, and it gets them moving in ways that we do in everyday life and it’s fun, it’s a game.”
Atwood says she can’t think of another rehab center in the area that uses video games for healing.
“It's cutting-edge technology that combines proven clinical strategies with an interactive patient experience,” she says. “The Trazer allows the patient to have fun, so their therapy is less like work.”
Attracting TalentWith its resources and unique approach, the Spine Center has attracted medical talent from all over the country, including Chicago and Seattle.
Lindsay Herrera moved back to the Lansing area after living in Seattle for several years. The opportunity to work at the Spine Center is ultimately what brought her back to the area.
“I have to say that I’m pretty picky about where I work or what I engage in,” says Herrera.
“I have a lot of high values, and I like to be part of a group that has those same values and goals. I’ve always wanted to work in an integrative clinic, and to be part of that in my home town feels really good in a lot of ways.”
The Spine Center also plucked Christina Richardson from the prestigious
Rehabilitation Institute in Chicago, where she was recognized for her teaching excellence.
Janel Atwood says another attraction to the area is
MSU.
“We love being so close to MSU,” she says. “There is just this vibrant energy you get from all of the younger people engaged in learning, and yet we also have the state capital. So there’s the university; but then there’s a whole different demographic with politicians and finance. And then there’s the blue collar background as well, so there is an interesting mix of politics. And then, too, the arts community here is great.”
Since opening its doors in September with 22 employees, The Spine Center has grown to nearly 60 staff members.
Elizabeth Silver is a freelance writer and an MSU Spartan, through and through.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:A spine model
Lindsay Herrera
The Trazer machine
CEO Dave Corteville
Acupuncture
Sharon Reynolds
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie