CORE is a new spinal fitness program that PNBC is offering to its former patients. Through resistance training and flexibility exercises, the CORE will allow members to maintain and/or further develop fitness improvements achieved from PNBC’s exercise rehabilitation treatment program. In anatomical terms, ‘CORE’ refers to the body’s neck, torso, arms, low back, gluteals, and thighs. A strong and flexible core provides a sound foundation for all body strength and fitness.

CORE facilities are currently available at our Woodbury and Roseville sites (with more in the planning stage) and located on the same premises as PNBC’s treatment program. However, the CORE occupies separate and distinct space and is separated by glass walls from PNBC’s treatment area. CORE includes separate exercise equipment that is not available for use by PNBC’s patient population.


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The CORE workout is delivered through a series of exercise machines specifically designed to target, isolate, and strengthen spinal muscle groups, and to promote and improve flexibility. PNBC’s customized CORE program will utilize specialized equipment that provides strengthening for the low back (lumbar machine), torso (torso rotation machine) and cervical spine (4-way neck machine). Members are able to use these machines independently without the aid of an operator, while stabilization pads/mechanisms insure isolation of the spinal muscles. Additionally, our CORE program will incorporate additional equipment that provides strengthening for the abdomen (abdominal crunch machine), lats/arms/anterior shoulders (lat pull down machine), chest/upper back/arms (upright rowing machine), and legs/buttocks (leg press machine). Finally, the CORE includes flexibility training for seven major muscle groups through a unique machine that provides progressive, measurable stretching exercise. We believe the equipment utilized in the CORE represents the best commercially available exercise machines to achieve the deserved results.


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PNBC’s treatment program is for patients suffering from chronic spinal pain/dysfunction. The majority of PNBC’s patients are referred by the Twin Cities medical community for evaluation and treatment. Patients are initially evaluated by PNBC physicians to determine whether treatment is appropriate, and then once every 3 weeks to evaluate treatment progress. Once in the therapy program, patients undergo 8-10 weeks of intensive exercise rehabilitation under the direct one-on-one supervision of PNBC’s physical therapy staff. Patients generally perform two supervised rehabilitation exercise sessions per week by appointment, with each session lasting approximately one hour. Treatment is administered using specialized medical exercise equipment that has been registered with the FDA, and requires a trained clinician to operate. In most cases, insurance companies are billed and pay for PNBC’s treatment program under the patients’ health care insurance plan.

PNBC’s CORE spinal fitness program is designed for individuals that have completed PNBC’s treatment program, and are able to exercise without the need for direct medical supervision. CORE members generally perform two strengthening exercise sessions per week, with each session lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. Similar to a health club setting, members are able to use the exercise equipment independently, under the general supervision of trained CORE staff members. While the CORE does not provide direct medical supervision and/or consultation, members that require further medical attention or follow-up for their spinal conditions may schedule an appointment with a PNBC therapist or physician. CORE members pay a monthly out-of-pocket membership fee for use of the facility. Members are able to utilize the CORE facility at their convenience within normal hours of operation (currently 7:00 AM to 7 PM Mon-Thurs; 6PM Fri; closed weekends), without the need for scheduled appointments.

PNBC Treatment Program vs. CORE Spinal Fitness Program

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Specialized, Exceptional Service – CORE is supervised by trained and caring PNBC staff that specializes in the area of spinal fitness. Our staff has worked with each CORE member during his/her rehabilitation program, and thus understands the medical history and specific needs of each participant. Unlike generalized fitness programs offered in health clubs, CORE members receive a program tailored to their spinal fitness needs. Members receive in depth instruction on the exercise program, along with regular supervision, motivation, education, and monitoring of progress by PNBC staff.

Specialized Equipment – As noted above, the CORE program utilizes specialized MedX exercise machines that, unlike most commercially available exercise equipment, isolate the spinal muscles through the use of stabilization pads/mechanisms. No other exercise equipment manufacturer comes close in its ability to isolate/strengthen the spine muscles. In essence, the essential features responsible for the effectiveness of MedX’s spinal rehabilitation medical equipment have been incorporated into their CORE machines. With respect to the low back, published research has documented not only the need for pelvic stabilization, but also that commercially available ‘back’ machines found in health clubs do not isolate and strengthen the lumbar muscles. Further, due to lack of supervision, equipment misuse, and subsequent law suits, most health clubs do not even offer a means to provide progressive resistance training for the cervical muscles.

As the ‘Cadillac’ of exercise equipment, MedX CORE machines are double to triple the cost of standard resistance training machines. Few health clubs are willing to pay this premium, therefore the machines are not likely to become mainstream in the fitness industry.

Value – To receive the level of specialized service at most health clubs, individuals would spend $45-$80 per hour for a personal trainer, in addition to regular membership fees. Even then, results are compromised by a lack of access to equipment that is able to optimize spinal fitness. Considering the substantial impact on the spinal health and well being of its members, the CORE’s $40 monthly fee represents an exceptional value and worthy investment.

Over the past 12 years, our physicians and rehab staff have worked hard to refine PNBC’s HEP to best meet the needs of our discharged patients. Empirical evidence and has demonstrated that when patients are compliant with the HEP, it is effective at maintaining symptom improvements that result from PNBC’s treatment program. Also, there is some research indicating that the roman chair exercise, while not effective at initially developing isolated low back strength, can provide a sufficient training effect to maintain strength improvements that result from the PNBC treatment protocol. In essence, our HEP represents the minimum requirement for the maintenance of strength and symptom improvements.  

In comparison, with its ability to provide isolated, progressive resistance exercise to the neck, back, torso, legs and arms, the CORE provides a much more comprehensive program for those interested in optimizing their spinal fitness. Further, we know that a good percentage of discharged patients over time discontinue their HEP for a variety of reasons, including lack of discipline, motivation, supervision, encouragement, and inability to discern progress. For these patients, the CORE program offers an alternative: the opportunity to continue a program of isolated, progressive resistance exercise in an environment supervised by professionals they have come to know and trust, and who specialize in spinal fitness.


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