The Spine Center at Sinai Hospital and LifeBridge Health & Fitness have teamed up to create the "Healthy Back Program," a back-specific exercise program to help participants build or maintain a healthy back and prevent back problems from occurring-or re-occurring. The program is now being offered at LifeBridge Health & Fitness and includes both group classes and individual sessions that are instructed by a physical therapist.
"The vast majority of people who visit the doctor for back pain simply need to exercise and strengthen their back muscles," said Mark Rosenthal, M.D., co-director of The Spine Center at Sinai and orthopedic surgeon. "They will benefit greatly from a program like this one that teaches proper back exercises by trained experts."
Rosenthal and Scott Brown, M.D., chief of rehabilitation medicine at Sinai Hospital and physiatrist with The Spine Center, oversee the Healthy Back Program.
Those who may benefit from the program include active individuals who want to prevent back problems; patients who have been diagnosed with a back condition or have been treated and are now looking for a long-term maintenance program; and those who are in need of reconditioning after having a surgical procedure or after having a baby. The program is not a substitute for a medical evaluation or treatment plan prescribed by a physician.
"Taking preventative measures now can have long-term benefits," said Brown. "The back muscles are a much better structure for absorbing physical stress than are bones, ligaments and disks. By building a strong back, you prevent the stress from going to these other structures and causing problems such as disk herniation."
The program includes the Spine Tuning group exercise class and the Pneumex(r) Chair: One-on-One program. The group class focuses on exercises that improve stability, strength and stamina of the back while in a supportive and motivational environment. The one-on-one program incorporates biomechanically engineered computer software to identify and correct poor spinal alignment or deficiencies through customized exercises. Additional services such as aqua-therapy, weight loss program, medical massage, acupuncture, and nutrition counseling from a registered dietician are also available.
"The truth of the matter is that no two backs are alike," said Joel Schlossberg, general manager of LifeBridge Health & Fitness. "A major benefit of our back fitness program is that it is tailored to your own spine."
All participants are required to provide a physician clearance form prior to being evaluated by the physical therapist. Upon reviewing the participant's medical history, any contraindications to exercise, current level of fitness and personal fitness goals, the appropriate Healthy Back Program will be selected for the participant.
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, four out of five adults will experience significant low back pain at some time in their life. The Academy also notes that work-related back injuries are the nation's number one occupational hazard.
The Healthy Back program is available to fitness members and non-members alike for a monthly fee.
The Spine Center at Sinai is part of LifeBridge Health. LifeBridge Health consists of Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital Center, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home and their subsidiaries and affiliated units, including LifeBridge Health & Fitness. LifeBridge Health & Fitness has been selected as "Baltimore's Best" health and fitness center by Baltimore Magazine and is recognized as a national model for wellness.
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