Spine care program

Statistics show that nearly 8 out of 10 people will experience a back disorder at some time in their life. Most are caused by a combination of cumulative trauma, poor posture, faulty body mechanics, stressful living and working habits, loss of flexibility and a general decline in physical fitness.

The incidence of back pain can be significantly reduced through correction and modification of these common causes of back pain and injury. Successful treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis by a physician. Treatment recommendations may include physical therapy.

Experienced staff

It's not unusual for a program to label their staff as "spine experts" based on interest or experience their clinicians may have in treating spine conditions.

At Aurora Rehabilitation Center, before our clinicians can earn spine expert designation, they must meet specific requirements in education, experience and demonstrated competencies. The Aurora Certified Spine Expert was developed because presently no certification of this type exists from any professional organization.

Aurora Certified Spine Expert Requirements

• Minimum five years of orthopedic experience
• Minimum 180 hours of continuing education focusing on spinal assessmentt, manual treatment skills and theory
• Successful passing of a practice exam
• Letters of recommendation
• Level III Physical Therapist – most experienced staff level

Individualized treatment

In order to provide an individualized plan of care for each patient, a physical therapist performs an evaluation which includes the following:

• Past medical history and history of current problem
• Functional limitation including general activity and exercise tolerance
• Musculoskeletal evaluation including:
  • Spinal mobility
  • Muscular imbalances of spine and extremities
  • Soft tissue dysfunction
  • Posture and body mechanics
• Neurological screening
• Patient goals for work and home-life

Comprehensive care provided

Our comprehensive treatment program staffed by physical therapists consists of one-on-one sessions that include:

• Education on anatomy
• Education on proper posture and body mechanics
• Exercise instruction
• Hands-on techniques including joint and spinal mobilization, soft tissue mobilization and muscle energy techniques to improve soft tissue and joint mobility
• Functional re-training
• Spinal stabilization
• Referral to:
  • Smoking cessation
  • Dietary consult
  • Work program
  • Pain management program available

Locations offering this service

Fond du Lac County

Aurora Health Center
210 Wisconsin American Drive
Hwy. 23 East
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 907-7000

Milwaukee County

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
3738 S. 60th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53220
(414) 546-5460

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center
Health Science 1, Suite 500
2901 W. Kinnickinnic River Pkwy.
Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 649-3250

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
2000 E. Layton Ave., Suite 160
St. Francis, WI 53235
(414) 747-8400

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora West Allis Medical Center
8901 W. Lincoln Ave.
West Allis, WI 53227
(414) 328-6640

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
9200 W. Loomis Road, Suite 107
Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 529-9128

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
945 N. 12th Street, 4th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 219-5241

Aurora Sports Medicine Institute
Aurora Sinai Medical Center
945 N. 12th Street, 1st Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 219-7776

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora St. Luke's South Shore
5900 S. Lake Drive
Cudahy, WI 53110
(414) 489-4072

Aurora Advanced Healthcare
3003 W. Good Hope Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53209
(414) 247-4702

Ozaukee County

Aurora Sports Medicine Institute
1249 W. Liebau Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092
(262) 243-4161

Aurora Rehabilitation Center/Aurora Sports Medicine Institute
Aurora Medical Center – Grafton
975 N. Port Washington Road
Grafton, WI 53024
(262) 329-2700

Washington County

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Health Center
1640 E. Sumner St.
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 670-4300

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Health Center
1048 E. Commerce Blvd.
Slinger, WI 53086
(262) 644-6268

Aurora Rehabilitation Center/Aurora Sports Medicine Institute
1100 Gateway Ct.
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 306-6100

Waukesha County

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Health Center
W231 N1440 Corporate Court
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-896-6045

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
St. Luke's New Berlin Health Care Center
14555 W. National Ave., Suite 195
New Berlin, WI 53151
(262) 827-2929

Aurora Rehabilitation Center/Aurora Sports Medicine Institute
Aurora Medical Center in Summit
36500 Aurora Dr.
Summit, WI 53066
(262) 434-2600

Waushara County

Aurora Health Center
900 E. Division Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
(920) 787-6900

Winnebago County

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Medical Center
855 N. Westhaven Drive
Oshkosh, WI 54904
(920) 456-7100

Aurora Rehabilitation Center
Aurora Medical Center
712 Doctors Court
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 303-5300

Aurora Health Center
1136 Westowne Drive
Neenah, WI 54956
(920) 720-8090

To make a referral to Aurora's Spine Program, indicate "PT Spine Program, Evaluate and Treat."