Spine Care

The spine is a complex structure that interacts with the entire neuromuscular system. It allows for fluid and stable movement of the body. Unfortunately, significant back and neck pain is one of the most common and debilitating musculoskeletal problems, and has become a major health problem of the modern era. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Our physicians offer a comprehensive approach to helping patients achieve spinal fitness by prescribing therapies that have a proven record of success and thus significantly reducing the incidence of surgical intervention.

Our comprehensive treatment and caring, professional staff mean patients receive quality medical services that make a difference in every aspect of achieving back and spinal wellness.

Treatment areas include:
  • Acute pain
  • Arthritis
  • Auto-related injuries
  • Back pain
  • Degenerative spinal conditions
  • Herniated disc/bulging disc
  • Neck disorders
  • Neck pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sciatica/radiculopathy
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Sports injuries
  • Upper back pain
  • Whiplash
  • Workers’ compensation injuries

Cooley Dickinson Medical Group also includes spine specialist Richard Norris, MD, whose practice diagnoses and treats spinal issues with electrodiagnostic testing, injections and surgical or physical therapy referrals.

Profile: Sherri Kuchinskas, MD

Sherri Kuchinskas, MD 

A former UMass softball All-American turned local sports medicine doctor, Sherri Kuchinskas, MD, remembers why she entered medicine: to treat active people and to restore maximum function to every patient.

“Having been an athlete—and particularly one who was injure—drives what I do today, and it’s why I do what I do,” said Kuchinskas, of Hampshire Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and a member of Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s medical staff.

Formative Years

Despite two reconstructed ACLs, Kuchinskas was recruited as a catcher and played for the Minutewomen from 1989–1993. A two-time All-American, Kuchinskas and her team went to the 1992 college World Series where UMass finished third.

After graduation and time to think about “what she wanted to do when she grew up,” Kuchinskas earned her medical degree from St. Louis University and completed a PMR residency at Rush University Medical Center and a sports fellowship at the University of Illinois.

Today, Helping Active People

As a sports medicine physician with Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Kuchinskas treats adolescents and adults. She also treats athletes from UMass-Amherst, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College and is the medical director for the Springfield College athletics program.

“My goal,” says Kuchinskas, “is to get people back to doing the activities they enjoy.”

To reach Dr. Kuchinskas or make an appointment, please see the contact information to the right.

Sherri Kuchinskas, MD, Physiatrist at Cooley Dickinson Medical Group Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, West Hatfield, MA 01088.