Two spine surgeons share what ancillary services they offer at their practices and what they are planning to offer in the future.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses.
Next week's question: What do you think about robotics in spine surgery? How do you see it developing in the next five years?
Please send responses to Alan Condon at acondon@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, Feb. 19, 5 p.m. CST.
Note: The following responses were edited for length and clarity.
Question: What ancillary services do you provide at your practice? Are there any plans to add more?
James Chappuis, MD. Spine Center Atlanta: We offer a physical therapy rehab wellness program that includes aqua therapy, massage therapy, a cryotherapy unit, acupuncture and internal disc distraction for patients interested in alternative, complimentary options to traditional spine care. The next piece I plan to add to our therapy program is core stabilization through Pilates and using the reformer machine. I believe a significant number of lower back problems can be addressed from core stabilization. In my opinion, Pilates with use of the reformer machine is one of the best solutions.
Christian Zimmerman, MD. Saint Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): As an employee of a large hospital conglomerate, we have all services readily available. What we have continued to provide with more frequency is scheduling services and portability in the triage realm to patients who have more difficulty getting follow-ups and clearances through other specialty medicine areas. This coincides with the changes in healthcare access over the last seven years.