Dr. Balfanz has been treating patients with chronic neck or back pain since going into practice in 1990 as a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation in St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. After seeing these patients for a couple of years, he became aware of the intensive and specific exercise approach to chronic neck and back pain used at PNBC and the resultant tremendous outcomes. He quickly became convinced that this rehab based on improving spinal fitness and function was by far the most effective treatment for the majority of patients. Thus, he has been effectively treating patients with this approach ever since.
The professional satisfaction he’s experienced in this aspect of rehab prompted him to transition from a broad practice treating the full spectrum of rehab problems (brain injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis) to a practice focusing only on neck and back pain. He lives in St. Cloud where he is one of the physicians heading up PNBC’s clinic there, and he also sees patients at various PNBC clinics in the Twin Cities.
Education:
Undergraduate degree at Hamline University. Pre-med. Bachelors degree in Religion. 1981. Member Phi Beta Kappa.
Medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. 1986.
Residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kansas. 1986 - 1990. Chief Resident 1989-1990.
Certification(s):
Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Previous Related Experience:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation practice, St. Cloud Hospital.
1990-present.
Medical Director of Inpatient Rehab at St. Cloud Hospital. 1990-1995.
Professional Activities(s):
Chief of Neurosciences Department at St. Cloud Hospital. 2000-2002.
Member of the Executive Committee at St. Cloud Hospital. 2000-2002.
Residency preceptor for Mayo Family Practice Residency Program.
1996-present.
Fellow of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
1991-present.
Member, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
1990-present.
Member, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. 1990-present.
Awards:
Recognized Physician: National Committee for Quality Assurance Back Pain Recognition Program; 2-Year Recognition (June 24, 2008 – June 24, 2010).
