Spine Issues and Back Pain

Back pain and spine issues can make it challenging to go about your daily life. Dr. Thawani prides himself on delivering personalized care that relieves pain and gets you back into the swing of life. Even if other therapies have not been successful, we can help you achieve your care goals. 

Why Choose Dr. Thawani?

Dr. Thawani is a clinical expert specializing in spine issues and back pain. He is able to deliver exceptional care for ongoing (chronic) back pain, traumatic injuries and congenital (present at birth) conditions.

Treating complex back and spine issues is a team effort. Neurosurgeons, pain management experts, rehabilitation specialists work together to coordinate the services you need. This approach helps many patients feel better without surgery.

Nationally Recognized Spine Surgery

When surgery is necessary, you benefit from our commitment to spine surgery excellence. Many of our locations have earned prestigious recognition as a BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan Designated Blue Distinction® Center+ Spine Surgery.

This designation is awarded to organizations like ours that demonstrate spine care expertise and efficiency. We treat a high volume of herniated discs, scoliosis and back pain while maintaining outstanding results. Learn more about our spine program.

Other Spine and Back Pain Services - Trinity Health/IHA

We help many people with back and spine issues feel better with nonsurgical therapies. Our experts conduct a thorough evaluation so that you receive the best options for your needs.

Our offerings include:

3D Spine Imaging

Trinity Health Michigan was the first hospital system in the state to use special technology to create an upright, 3D model of your spine.

Traditional MRI scans capture images of your spine while lying down (supine position) in a large tube. Seeing what your spine looks like when you stand enables us to accurately diagnose complex problems. The technology converts supine imaging results to an upright model so that we can customize treatments to your unique anatomy.

Pain Management

These services include injections of steroids, pain medications and nerve blocks into the spine or nearby nerves. These treatments disrupt pain signals and promote the body’s natural healing abilities. Pain management is one of the many nonsurgical orthopedic treatments we offer.

Spinal Manipulation

Specially trained providers apply a quick thrust of pressure to specific spine joints. The thrust guides joints back toward their natural position, creating better alignment. Joint alignment helps your spine work more efficiently and reduces muscle strain. You may hear a popping sound during treatment, but manipulation is not painful.

Physical Therapy

Certified spine therapists guide you through a personalized program that strengthens and stabilizes your spine. Physical therapy can delay or prevent the need for surgery. If you are recovering from spine surgery, therapy helps you safely return to daily activities. Read more about physical therapy.

Physical therapy includes exercises, gentle stretches and special techniques that:

• Relieve back pain

• Increase range of motion

• Strengthen muscles, like your abdominals, that support the back

• Help you protect your back during daily tasks

Sports Injury Care

Trinity Health Michigan delivers comprehensive sports injury care. We offer specialized assessments, advanced therapies, and sports performance training. Sports medicine physicians coordinate the services you need and help you achieve the best possible results. Get more information about how we treat sports injuries.

Back and Spine Conditions We Treat

We treat a broad range of back and spine issues, including:

• Herniated discs: A rubbery disc between spine bones (vertebrae) tears, allowing its contents to leak and put pressure on nearby tissue and nerves

• Low back pain: Muscle sprains or strains that cause aches, spasms, and jolts of pain

• Osteoporosis: Bone tissue becomes weak and brittle, raising the risk of fracture

• Pinched nerves: Tissue near or within the spine puts pressure on the spinal nerves, causing pain, numbness, and tingling

• Scoliosis: Condition that causes an S- or C- shaped spinal curve

• Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis): Vertebra slips out of place and rests on the spine bone below it

• Spine fractures: Trauma from a bad fall or car accident that causes small breaks in one or more spine bones

• Spinal stenosis: Narrowing in the space inside your spine that puts pressure on nearby nerves

Please refer to this SpineUniverse Spinal Anatomy Overview

Please visit this Patient Resource Center for more information on Spine and Spinal Treatments