Spine

The Spine Center at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital provides patients a comprehensive range of services to diagnose and treat back and neck pain. The Center offers convenient, one-stop access to treatment options that include physical therapy, neurology, interventional pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery.

Dr. HoSun Hwang, an Orthopedic Surgeon & Spine Specialist with Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Willowbrook, will assist Boeing members with a complete range of treatment options. Hwang specializes in minimally invasive treatments and has a conservative approach to spinal disorders.

Boeing members who become patients of the Spine Center at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital will experience:

• Expedited, timely appointments.
• Customized, coordinated care from a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfortable, accurate diagnostic testing with state–of–the–art technology.
• A variety of treatment options, including physical therapy, neurology, interventional pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery.

Boeing Spine Center patients also benefit from Houston Methodist Willowbrook´s sophisticated diagnostic and therapeutic technology and state–of–the–art systems for patient comfort and safety.

• Two whole body 3–Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners
• Four computed tomography (CT) scanners (two of which are 64–slice scanners)
• Operating rooms that feature the latest lighting and ancillary equipment

According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain affects eight out of 10 people and is one of the top reasons doctors’ appointments are scheduled. While many causes of neck and back pain may resolve without intervention, chronic ongoing pain can negatively impact daily tasks, hobbies and the overall quality of life. 

Dr. Hwang offers the following tips for Boeing members to help manage back pain while at home:

• Maintain light activities. You may initially rest in bed for 1-2 days if the pain is severe, but resume normal activities as soon as possible.
• Discuss an exercise program with your physician and maintain a healthy weight to help prevent reinjury and to restore function.
• Stop smoking.
• Take medication exactly as prescribed and discuss all over-the-counter medication with your physician, especially if you have high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, or are taking anticoagulants.
• Alternate heat and ice to speed relief of pain and spasms although studies show similar relief with either heat or ice
• Maintain proper body mechanics while lifting and sitting.
• Mattresses that are too hard or too soft can aggravate back pain. A side-lying position with a pillow between your legs may be most comfortable.

• Home Physician Letter of Intent to Provide Post-Surgery Care
• Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Health Information
• Hospitalization Summary
• New Patient Questionnaire - Dr. HoSun Hwang
• Follow-up Quesitonnaire - Dr. HoSun Hwang

To learn more about your treatment options call your Boeing Liaison at 866.789.1984.