New Spine Wellness Center Opens In Westport

Press release from Hartford Healthcare:

Oct. 29, 2020

Neck and back pain are among the most common reasons people go to the doctor and miss work, and they are a leading cause of disability. Almost every movement involves the spine, and injuries can be life-altering. Fairfield County residents can now access an innovative, holistic approach to care for their neck and back pain with the opening of the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute Spine Wellness Center.

The multi-level facility – which opened at 300 Post Road West – treats spine care in a broad, progressive manner, offering each patient personalized options for moving past the pain, according to Medical Director Dr. Khalid Abbed, who also serves as co-physician-in-chief of the Ayer Neuroscience Institute.

“The system is kind of upside down, where you see more surgery instead of maxing out other tactics that are more conservative,” he explained. “People with a lot of comorbidities that make surgery less optimal have had no place to go to find help. A lot would just give up on life.”

The Spine Wellness Center brings an array of interrelated services together under one roof. On the first floor, patients can find more traditional care options with appointment space for neurologists, surgeons and pain management specialists with access to procedure rooms where they can provide acute treatment of severe pain immediately.

In addition, on the second floor is a unique array of services designed to help patients address the cause of their pain. This, Dr. Abbed said, can be a sedentary lifestyle, weight issues and even sleep deprivation. There is a gym, physical therapy space and such services as:

· Nutritional counseling and demonstrations in a dedicated kitchen

· Mental health care

· Integrative medicine options like yoga, acupuncture, meditation and massage

“We are treating the causes for back pain. Maybe the person is out of shape and has no core strength. Maybe they are sleep deprived or need guidance developing healthier dietary habits,” Dr. Abbed said. “Many times, people will be back for surgery if they don’t address these basic things.”

Patients who do need surgery are connected with fellowship-trained spine experts who use the most sophisticated techniques and the latest technology. With a comprehensive team – including neurosurgeons, neurologists, physiatrists, health psychologists, advanced practitioners, physical therapists specializing in spine care, nutrition and health counselors, and integrative medicine practitioners – the Spine Wellness Center can treat patients with:

· Acute and chronic pain

· Arthritis

· Degenerative spinal conditions

· Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

· Foot drop

· Headache

· Herniated, bulging or degenerative discs

· Muscle pain and strain

· Neck, mid-back and lower back pain

· Neuropathic pain

· Osteoporosis

· Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

· Sciatica/radiculopathy/leg pain

· Scoliosis, spinal deformity , spondylolisthesis and stenosis

· Spinal tumors

· Whiplash

“This is a wellness center for everyone to get help,” Dr. Abbed noted. “Doctors finally have a place to send their patients needing spine care.” The approach, he added, is revolutionary and should “save so many people from unnecessary surgery.” He hopes it becomes a standard of care at Hartford HealthCare and beyond. “Anyone who wants to get in shape can come to learn how to exercise and lose weight. We have a sleep neurologist and other specialists to help them address lifestyle changes that will make them feel better,” Dr. Abbed said.

The opening of the Spine Wellness Center is a welcome addition to the expanded care options made available through Hartford HealthCare in Fairfield County, according to the region’s President Vince DiBattista. “This state-of-the-art center reflects our commitment to bring high quality, specialty services to the community and complements the transformational neurosurgical investments we are making in Fairfield County,” he said.

For more information on the new Spine Wellness Center, call Call 203.226.2499 or go to https://hartfordhealthcare.org/services/neurosciences/spine-wellness-center.

This press release was produced by Hartford Healthcare. The views expressed here are the author's own.