Winthrop Offers Free Back-Health Program

If you suffer from back pain, help may be more accessible than you think.

Winthrop-University is offering a free program for back-pain sufferers. The program is designed for those ages 25-65 with spine-related pain.

The four-week series will be held in the main hospital at the Dr. Martin Spatz Conference Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 8, 15, 22 and 29.

The program is led by Gary Gonya, attending physician in the department of orthopaedic surgery, providing tools to cope with and recover from spinal pain. Alexandria Voukitchevitch, a yoga instructor, will demonstrate and guide attendees through yoga poses, aimed at increasing spinal range of motion and strengthening core abdominal and back muscles, providing breathing and meditation techniques.

The program incorporates evidence-based care to manage spine-related pain, with a broader understanding of diagnosis, recovery and prevention. It places a premium on a mind-body balance to accurately diagnose and treat spine-related pain. Spinal pain is multifactorial, experts at Winthrop say. It is rarely generated and perpetuated by one single source. Inflammation, injury, arthritic wear and tear play a role, but equally critical is the assessment of one’s life circumstances, moods, tensions and how they may be affecting the ability to cope and perceive pain.

Admission is free, but seating is limited and pre-registration and a pre-screening is required. For further information or to register, call Marj Kulesa, RN, Nurse Coordinator, at (516) 663-2283.