General Practitioners

• Osteoporosis
• Headaches
• Arthritis
  Arthritis is a major cause of pain, swelling, and structural changes in the lumbar spine. Arthritis can occur for many reasons, including aging, “wear and tear,” injury, autoimmune disease, and inflammatory disease. There are over 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are types of arthritis that typically develop in the spine.
• Fibromyalgia
  Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and tender points on muscles. Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, there appear to be several factors that may contribute to it. In addition to lifestyle changes and physical... Read More
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Primary Care
  If your insurance is an HMO/managed care plan and you are required to obtain a referral from your primary care physician, the referral must be obtained before you can be seen for an office visit. Please coordinate this with your primary care physician in advance. Appointments will be rescheduled if required referrals are not received in the office by the time of your visit.
• Emergency Care
  In the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, call emergency medical services at 911 immediately. DO NOT WAIT! Inform the emergency room staff that you are a patient of The Spine Institute and they will contact us.

Internists

• Lung Cancer
  X-rays use radiation energy to create images of internal body structures. X-rays are a non-invasive procedure, meaning that the body does not have to be surgically opened to see a bone or tissue. X-rays are used to help diagnose a condition, such as a broken bone or some types of tumors. X-rays are used to screen for some types of diseases, such as lung cancer. Doctors also use the information from X-rays to help formulate treatment plans.

Neurologists

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common condition that affects the hand and wrist. It occurs when the Median Nerve in the wrist is compressed. Nerves carry messages between our brains, spinal cord, and body parts. The Median Nerve carries signals for sensation and... Read More
• Multiple Sclerosis

Psychiatrists

• Mental Health
  This Notice of Privacy Practices describes how we may use and disclose your Protected Health Information (PHI) to carry out treatment, payment or health care operations (TPO) and for other purposes that are permitted or required by law. It also describes your rights to access and control your protected health information. "Protected health information" is information about you, including demographic information, that may identify you and that relates to your past, present or future physical or mental health or condition and related health care services.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Thyroid
• Thyroid Cancer
  Spinal cord tumors that develop within the cord are called intramedullary. Spinal cord tumors that occur within the meninges, the membranes that cover the spinal cord, are called extramedullary or intradural. Tumors that are between the meninges and the spine bones are termed extradural. Metastasized tumors result from cancer that originates elsewhere and spreads to the spinal cord. Lung, breast, prostate, kidney, and thyroid cancer may metastasize to the spinal cord.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  Ultrasound therapy is used to minimize muscle pain and movement dysfunction. Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to deliver deep heat to the treated tissues. The treatments may help reduce stiffness, swelling, and pain, increase circulation, and promote pain-free movement. Ultrasound... Read More
• MRI
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging procedure that produces very detailed pictures of internal body structures. It is a non-invasive method that allows doctors to check for abnormalities and diagnose medical conditions, such as blood clots, tumors, and orthopedic injuries. The MRI machine uses a high-powered magnetic field and radio waves to send signals to a computer where images are created. The images are enhanced and stored in the computer. MRI scans may be used for almost any part of the body.
• Radiology
  X-rays can be performed in your doctor’s office, an outpatient radiology center, or a hospital radiology department. An X-ray is a quick, painless procedure. You will be asked to remove metal objects, such as jewelry or watches, from the area being X-rayed. An X-ray technician will position your body in accordance with the X-ray camera. The parts of your body that are not being X-rayed may be shielded with a lead apron or blanket. In some cases, a contrast dye may be injected to add contrast to the X-ray image. You will be asked to remain motionless while the X-ray is taken.
• X-Rays
• Computed Tomography
  Imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT scans), or a myelography (a type of X-ray used in conjunction with injected contrast dye) may be used to identify a nervous system disorder of the spine.
• Chemotherapy
  An injury, illness, chemotherapy, bed rest, inactivity, or disease may change the amount of control that you have over moving your body. Alterations in your health status may result in poor endurance, decreased muscle movement, paralysis, and loss of balance,... Read More
• Radiation Therapy
  Radiation therapy is a painless procedure.  Your doctor will prescribe the amount and length of treatment based on your condition.  Radiation therapy is usually delivered in several doses over a period of time.  There are different types of radiation therapy that may be used to help treat spinal cord tumors.

Surgeons

• Orthopedics
  Originally, the term orthopedics meant the correcting on musculoskeletal deformities in children. Nicolas Andry, a French professor at the University of Paris, coined the term in the first textbook written on the subject in 1741. He advocated the use of exercise, manipulation and splinting to treat deformities in children.
• Sciatica
  Low back pain is a symptom of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Sciatica is the most frequent symptom of a herniated disc in the lower back. Sciatica is shooting pain that travels through the buttocks and down the back of one leg. One of your legs or buttocks may feel weak, numb, or have a tingling sensation.
• Whiplash
  Whiplash occurs when the head moves suddenly from severe impact, such as during a car crash. Whiplash can cause neck pain, upper back pain, shoulder pain, tight muscles, and burning or tingling sensations in your neck or upper back. Most... Read More
• Arthroscopy
  Arthroscopic Surgery is a procedure that allows surgeons to see, diagnose, and treat problems inside a joint. The procedure, also called an Arthroscopy, requires only small incisions and is guided by a miniature viewing instrument or scope. Before arthroscopy existed,... Read More
• Joint Replacement
  Knee Replacement Surgery is the most common type of joint replacement surgery. The knee is one of the most easily injured joints. Knee problems can occur from injury, aging, “wear and tear,” and arthritis. Arthritis is a disease that causes joint... Read More
• Bunions
  A bunionette is a bump that occurs near the base of the little toe on the foot. They are not as common as bunions, a similar condition that develops near the base of the big toe. However, people with bunionettes... Read More
• Arthroscopy
• Hip Replacement
  When you need surgery to replace a damaged or diseased hip, some orthopedic surgeons have advanced training to perform anterior hip arthroplasty, also known as the direct anterior approach to hip replacement. This procedure is considered... Read More
• Knee Replacement

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  BOTOX® is useful for more than smoothing out wrinkles. In fact, it is indicated for treating painful muscle spasms and contractions in the neck (cervical dystonia), tension headaches, migraine headaches, back pain, and myofascial pain. BOTOX injections are used to... Read More

Dermatologists

• Cyst

Physical Therapists

• Sports Medicine
  The tibia, commonly called the shinbone, is located in your lower leg. A tibia fracture is a common injury. A fracture is a broken bone. Vehicle crashes, falls, and sports injuries are frequent causes of tibia fractures. Depending on the... Read More
• Physical Therapy
  If conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy, epidural injections, or nerve root blocks do not relieve your back or neck pain, Dr. Hardacker may recommend surgery. Conditions that may eventually warrant surgical intervention include herniated discs; spinal stenosis; pinched nerves; spinal deformities, fractures, and tumors; and degenerative disorders. He also performs revision surgeries to correct problems from prior surgeries.
• Tennis Elbow
  Tennis Elbow is a condition that results in deterioration of the tendon fibers that attach to the bone at the outside of the elbow. Tendons are strong fibers that attach muscles to bone. They are tissues that do not stretch... Read More
• Slipped Disc
  Commonly referred to as a “slipped disc,” spondylolisthesis refers to an abnormal alignment of the spine due to the forward or backward slip of a vertebra onto an adjacent vertebra.
• Shoulder Pain
• Flatfoot Correction
• Heel Pain
• Neck Pain
• Back Pain
• Aquatic Therapy
  Orthopaedic conditions, medical conditions, and neurological disorders may reduce your ability to bear weight on your legs, tolerate the impact exercise on land, or move against the forces of gravity. Aquatic therapy is a rehabilitation option that allows people to... Read More
• Orthotics and Prosthetic Therapy

Podiatrists

• Bunions Problems
  Bunions are a common foot deformity, especially in females. They most frequently result from wearing shoes that are too small and or have a high heel. Abnormal pressure from poor fitting shoes causes the bones in the big toe and... Read More
• Hammertoes
  Claw toe most frequently develops in older women. It causes the joint at the base of the toe to bend upward and the other joints on the toe to bend downward in the shape of a claw. Claw toe may... Read More
• Heel Spurs
  Heel spurs are abnormal bony growths that develop at the back of or under the heel. Inflammation around a spur, more so than the spur itself, can cause significant pain. Fortunately, symptoms can be eased with non-surgical treatments for the vast... Read More
• Heel Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
  Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition. It occurs when connective tissue at the bottom of the foot, called the plantar fascia, is irritated and inflamed. The condition commonly occurs among people who spend a lot of time on their... Read More