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ALERTS

New England Baptist Hospital DOES NOT have an emergency department or urgent care centers.

Non-Surgical Care at The Spine Center

The Spine Center is staffed by physiatrists (medical specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation), all of whom have subspecialized in the evaluation and management of spinal disorders. Our physiatrists are recognized experts in the evaluation of complex spine disorders, and when needed, offer direct access to the expertise of New England Baptist radiologists, neurologists, and other specialists.

Our physiatrists stress the selective use of evidence-based treatments for all spinal disorders, and are internationally recognized for our research-driven approach to exercise as a treatment for spinal disorders. We help our patients initiate their selected care through continued collaboration with New England Baptist radiologists, anesthesia pain specialists, and physical therapists. For our patients for whom spine surgery is appropriate, we help with timely access to New England Baptist neuro and orthopedic spine surgeons.

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Phone: 617-754-5246
Fax: 617-754-6344

New England Baptist Hospital
125 Parker Hill Avenue
Jenks Building, Suite 360
Boston, MA 02120

The Spine Center at New England Baptist Hospital offers care to patients with:

Neck pain

Back pain

Cervical and lumbar radiculopathies

Cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis

Scoliosis

Compression fractures

Persistent problems that have failed past treatments

Serious spine problems for which surgery is being considered

Treatment Options

The physiatrists and treatment team will spend time with you to clearly understand your problem and help you decide what treatment option will get you the results you are looking for. We offer a broad scope of treatment options for a variety of problems:

EDUCATION AND INFORMED DECISION-MAKING

All patients are fully educated about the natural history, prognosis, and treatment options available for their specific problem, and receive practical expert advice on the management of their symptoms.

EXERCISE-BASED PHYSICAL THERAPY

At the Spine Center, we offer an internationally recognized approach based on proven and objective tools in the treatment of spinal pain. Intensive exercise-based programs have been found to be both safe and effective for the treatment and management of back and neck pain.

Many of our patients participate in the Spine Center’s Spine Rehabilitation Program—a program that was developed from years of research concluding that taking it easy and avoiding activities is the worst thing people with chronic back pain can do. Often referred to as “boot camp,” this program includes two one-hour sessions per week, typically for four to eight weeks.

Patients learn a safe and beneficial exercise program, focusing on restoring spine motion and strength. The program is available at three New England Baptist locations and we have a trained network of high quality providers throughout New England so patients can attend the program close to home.

Those who complete our Spine Rehabilitation Program report better physical ability and less pain. Most are able to return to all of their desired activities, including sports.

For more information or to make an appointment with one of our spine experts please contact us at 617-754-5246. Please make sure to include contact information so that our scheduling staff may better assist you.

SPINAL INJECTIONS

After a comprehensive evaluation by your physiatrist, spinal injections may be offered for the management of pain. You will be educated about spinal injections and will be offered a variety of services including precise fluoroscopic-guided spinal injections of local anesthetics and corticosteroids.

Based on your needs, injections may be performed by your physiatrist, an interventional neuroradiologist, or a pain anesthesiologist. At New England Baptist, all of our interventionalists are experts in performing a variety of spinal injections aimed at treating pain and symptoms.

Common Procedures:

Epidural and Nerve Root Blocks inject steroid and anesthetic medicine into the space next to the covering of the spinal cord and spinal nerves (“epidural” space). This procedure is typically used to relieve leg or arm pain that may be due to a disk herniation or spinal stenosis that has “pinched a nerve.” Technically, these arm symptoms are called cervical radiculopathy, and leg symptoms are called lumbar radiculopathy or sciatica.

Lumbar/Cervical Facet Joint Blocks inject steroid and anesthetic medicine into the outer capsule of the facet joint. The facet joints are located in the back of the spine where they help control the position and movements of the vertebrae. As people age, the facet joints become arthritic, and in some people these arthritic joints may become painful. Facet joint blocks help to reduce this pain, and are especially useful in older patients.

MEDICATIONS

Thoughtful, limited use of medications is offered for select patients.

SURGERY

Our years of orthopedic and neurosurgical experience have allowed us to fine-tune our process before, during, and after back, neck, or spine surgery to ensure the best possible experience and long-term results for you. The surgeons at New England Baptist Hospital are experts in determining if surgery is the best course of treatment and offer the latest techniques in spinal surgery and microsurgery of herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and tumors. They also perform advanced spinal instrumentation for spinal stabilization and disc arthroplasty.

NEBH also has a robotic guidance system which allows for more precise placement of implants during surgery. Learn more.

Meet our Team

Adam Harris, MD
Carol Hartigan, MD

Andrew Lederman, MD
Eugenio Martinez, MD

“Good healthcare decisions are guided by knowledge.”

Information empowers people. Our clinicians are firmly committed to educating patients about all aspects of their spine problems, including all paths to recovery. Our patients tell us that science-based information addresses their concerns about the spine and liberates them from the constraints that their problems have caused in their daily lives. We believe that knowledgeable patients make the best decisions as to their path forward.

Likewise, we believe that healthcare providers must continuously grow their knowledge in order to provide optimum spine care to our patients. We incorporate this belief into our daily work through spine research, and by constantly exploring and exchanging medical literature and ideas among our colleagues. We are medical educators and share our knowledge with other healthcare providers, including physiatry residents, pain and physiatry fellows, physical therapists, and visiting healthcare scholars from other medical disciplines. Our physiatrists are academically affiliated with Harvard Medical School.

Virtual Care

During these uncertain times, we recognize the importance of receiving immediate, expert information on your back, neck and spine pain while avoiding visits to your primary care office or emergency room.

To make it easier for you to get the care you need, we are now offering the option to connect virtually with a physiatrist at the NEBH Spine Center on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Whether your situation is acute or chronic, we are here for you.

How it works

  • Our clinicians are firmly committed to educating patients about all aspects of their spine problems, including all paths to recovery. In your virtual visit, your physician will provide expert advice to help you understand your symptoms. Additionally, you will:
    • Receive guidance on what to do right now to help manage your pain
    • Understand if this is an “Urgent Medical Condition”
    • Learn about the causes of neck and back pain
  • Virtual care sessions are performed using Zoom or Doxy.Me.  If you don’t have access to a device with a camera, we can perform telephone only consultations
  • Your physiatrist will direct you through a movement assessment and physical examination
  • Physiatrists can review recent imaging studies (if performed at NEBH, Shields, or if you can email the results in advance). If you have a file or CD with your recent images, click here to share them with us prior to your appointment
  • Virtual care services are billed to your insurance company and covered the same as an office visit
  • Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm
  • To schedule a visit, call 617-754-5246

Medical Education

Due to our advanced expertise in musculoskeletal diseases, NEBH is a major Boston teaching site for physicians in-training. During your visit to the Spine Center you will likely meet a Resident physician, as The Spine Center serves as a teaching site for the Harvard Medical School, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency program.

Additionally, you may meet The Spine Center’s full-time Fellow or a visiting fellow from a Harvard program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center or Children’s Hospital Boston. Fellows are fully trained physicians undergoing an additional year of focused training in spine medicine. Our patients report that they enjoy their encounters with these enthusiastic young physicians, while they still get full attention from our highly experienced spine experts.

Research and Academics

The Spine Center holds great pride in past academic achievements as well as the rigorously constructed peer-reviewed articles published by our clinicians.

The spine research conducted by our physicians has served to expand the knowledge base as well as enhance clinical assessment and treatment of numerous spinal conditions.

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