Spine Medicine

Your spine forms the foundation of the musculoskeletal system and suffers a fair amount of stress.

More often than not, spinal injuries or problems can impact your entire body, making expert medical attention by a spine specialist critical. Michael C. Geraci Jr., MD PT has 35 years of experience helping his patients overcome most spine problems without having to resort to surgery. To schedule a consultation, call his practice, Geraci Spine and Sports Medicine in Williamsville, New York.

What is a medical spine specialist and spine medicine?

A medical spine specialist, like Dr. Geraci, specializes in the mechanics of the spine and finds solutions without resorting to surgery. His approach works because he understands that by treating one area, he can improve your spine's overall function.

Dr. Geraci has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating the spine’s functional kinetic chain, including your hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

What is the anatomy of the spine?

To better understand spine medicine, it’s helpful to step back and take a look at the structure of your spine. First, your spine has five sections:

Cervical spine, or neck
Thoracic spine, or mid-back
Lumbar spine, or low back
Your sacral spine
Your coccyx, or tailbone

Running the length of your spine are 33 vertebrae, which are separated by 23 discs that provide cushioning and movement along your spine. Also running along your spine are a network of connective soft tissue and nerves.

Several conditions can affect this complex structure: From spinal stenosis—which is a narrowing of your spinal canal—to disc issues such as degeneration and herniation.

How are spinal conditions diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Geraci studies each issue from every angle to identify the best method for treating your spine issue. That includes:

Assessing your medical history including your lifestyle, sports & work
- a detailed history of what exercises you do and how you do them
- assessing risk and contributing factors
Performing a physical examination of your spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot in functional positions (positions you may use for work, sport, or lifestyle activity)
- movement assessment - finding the direction that relieves or provokes your symptoms
Conducting a functional evaluation of your core and individual muscle strength
Giving you the best exercise that reduces your symptoms
Using diagnostic ultrasound

Once he diagnoses your condition, he turns to one or more of the following:

Directional preference exercise to reduce symptoms and used as prevention for future episodes
Functional spine stabilization exercises
Physical therapy (in-office and at home)
Manual medicine only when indicated
Regenerative medicine
Prescription medications, but sparingly and only when needed
Fluoroscopically (using X-ray) and ultrasound-guided injection

Dr. Geraci will provide you with a step-wise approach. Most patients, 90% will respond to the correct exercises. Approximately 10% of patients may require an injection so that the exercises become more effective. Only 2% will require surgical intervention with Dr. Geraci providing you with the post operative plan to rehabilitate and strengthen your spine.

If you’d like to explore spine medicine, call Geraci Spine and Sports Medicine.