The Spine Center at Columbia St. Mary's

with John Roffers, M.D., Spine Center medical director

Posted: Aug. 1, 2004

Back pain can make even the simplest of activities excruciatingly painful. Standing, sitting, walking, and even sleeping can turn into agonizing problems. It’s reported that 75% of all U.S. adults will seek medical help at some point because of back pain.

Often, people who suffer from back pain have a pattern of visiting a medical professional, experiencing relief for a period of time, and then, when the back pain reoccurs, trying a different medical solution.

John Roffers, M.D., Spine Center medical director "Although the center is made up of professionals with individual practices, we have come together to provide easy access and accurate diagnosis. Because of this commitment, our patients benefit."

Easing the pain
The Spine Center at Columbia St. Mary’s is designed to provide a common starting point for people experiencing back and neck pain. The center brings together a team of medical professionals who specialize in disorders of the back and neck. The result is a streamlined approach to evaluating and treating back and neck problems.

John Roffers, M.D., a physiatrist who is the medical director of the center, said two of the key principles of the Spine Center are ease of access and rapid diagnosis.

“When people are in pain, they are vulnerable,” Dr. Roffers said. “They are likely to try any program that promises them success and there are so many options for treatment out there, it can be confusing.”

Patient’s history important
The initial point of contact at the Spine Center is the nurse case manager. This nurse will generate a case history of the patient to make sure the Spine Center knows all necessary background on the patient. It also helps the center avoid duplication of recent tests the patient may have had.

“Many people with back pain have complex histories,” Dr. Roffers said. “The case manager will assist in obtaining the records so we have as much data as possible.”

After seeing the case manager, a patient will be examined by one of six staff physiatrists, who will then formulate an individual treatment plan for the patient. The first goal of any plan will be the control of acute pain.

Treatment
“Once we have a patient’s pain under control, we initiate a program for strengthening the back,” Dr. Roffers said.

Physical therapists at the Spine Center are therapists who have a special interest in care of the back and neck. Their continuing education classes are focused on the newest techniques and studies regarding the spine.

In addition to physiatrists (physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation) and physical therapists, the Spine Center is staffed by a chiropractor, pain management specialists, a massage therapist, an acupuncturist, a dietician, and orthopaedic and neurological spine surgeons.

Dr. Roffers characterizes the primary treatment focus at the Spine Center as “aggressive but non-surgical.” Only about 5% to 10% of patients who go to the Spine Center have back surgery.

Complementary medicine
Bringing together these varied medical professionals means that patients can feel secure knowing that they are receiving the type of care most appropriate for their individual problem.

“In the last 10 years, there has been a growing trend of interest in complementary medicine, such as acupuncture and massage therapy,” Dr. Roffers said. “We use these measures as an adjunct for pain control.”

Once a patient has been involved in a process of strengthening the spine, the Spine Center’s efforts turn towards long-term management strategies, Dr. Roffers said.

“We try to distill the therapy into a brief program that a person can follow at home,” he said. “We really believe in having the ball in the patient's court. For some patients with very complex problems, we have no means to completely cure the pain. Our goals are then modified to maximize their levels of activity.”

Dr. Roffers has been very satisfied with the Spine Center’s first six months of operation. In the future, he sees the Spine Center as an excellent resource for primary care physicians who need rapid access to medical professionals who specialize in care of the spine.

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