Group Cheering Trip Teaches SpineCare Staff to Empathize
Posted by
Ryan Davis on Wed, May 30, 2007 @ 10:02 AM
The adrenaline rush of a triathlon wasn't limited to three SpineCare doctors and a spouse who entered a recent Gulf Coast competition. By closing their clinics, the entire staff joined in the experience.
Dr. Anthony Houssain and his wife Elizabeth Houssain, Dr. Sean Caine and Dr. Nicole Bock entered and completed the Alabama Coastal Triathlon in Orange Beach. Elizabeth Houssain placed fifth in the "Open-Female 35-39" category. Anthony Houssain earned eighth place in "Open-Male 35-39," Bock was seventh in "Beginner - Female" and Caine took third place in "Open - Male 30-34."
"We closed our office and took our staff for support and for a cheering section," marketing director Kristy Drake said. "It was an exciting trip."
"Our office staff accompanied us to the Orange Beach race, not only to reward them for doing a great job but to provide moral support and provide a teambuilding experience," Bock said. The trip allowed staff members from SpineCare's locations in Madison and Huntsville to become better acquainted. "This was an opportunity to bring them together to vacation as a group." Keeping that team spirit, the SpineCare doctors recently launched a wellness program that allows "everyone the opportunity to take advantage of a long lunch hour to exercise," Bock said. The doctors already were training at lunchtime and wanted employees to have the same option. "The SpineCare team can now experience firsthand how rejuvenated we are during the second half of the day."
"To experience triathlon or other endurance races is very motivating. Seeing everyday athletes, from teenagers to 70-something race is inspiring. We wanted to share that experience," Bock said.
SpineCare employees are now forming relay teams for the race next year.
Their interest in triathlons has a connection with their professions. "Injuries such as back pain, neck pain and shin splints occur in high-level athletes, as well as our everyday patients," Bock said. "As tri-athletes, we are able to empathize with our patient athletes instead of just sympathize."
Houssain and Caine are two of only four physicians in Alabama certified in active release techniques. This "soft-tissue technique is used to treat problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves often resulting from overuse," Bock said. Like triathlon injuries. Ironman Performance Care by active release techniques is also the official treatment used in the Ironman triathlon.
Away from the clinics, SpineCare doctors serve as team chiropractic physicians for the Tennessee Valley Vipers, Huntsville Havoc and Sparkman High School athletes. Dr. Jonathan Robinson also practices with SpineCare.
SpineCare in Madison is at 3825 Sullivan St., Suite 1. For more information, call 461-7775, send e-mail to info@visitspinecare.com or visit www.visitspinecare.com.