About Center for SpineHealth
Center for SpineHealth was created with a simple mission: to help individuals better understand how exercise can improve and maintain their spine health throughout life.
For years, people have been told to strengthen their core, improve their posture, stretch regularly, and stay active. While these recommendations are important, they often leave out the information necessary to make exercise truly effective.
Which exercises should you perform? How should you perform them? How often should you exercise? And how do you know when it's time to make an exercise more challenging?
Center for SpineHealth was developed to answer these questions.
Through specialized SpineHealth programs, books, educational resources, workshops, and coaching, we provide practical, evidence-informed guidance to help individuals understand the principles behind effective exercise.
Our goal is not simply to tell you what exercises to do. It is to help you understand how to make exercise a meaningful and sustainable part of your lifelong spine health.
Our Educational Philosophy
The Formula for Lifelong SpineHealth
Not all exercises produce the same results. Your bones, muscles, posture, and flexibility respond differently to exercise, and achieving meaningful improvements requires more than simply choosing an exercise.
That's why our educational approach is built around four fundamental principles:
WHAT to Do — Understanding which exercises are most appropriate for your goals.
HOW to Do It — Learning how exercise technique, intensity, speed, and direction influence results.
WHEN to Do It — Understanding exercise frequency, duration, and the importance of recovery.
HOW to Progress — Learning how to gradually increase exercise demands to support continued improvement.
These four principles form the foundation of our educational philosophy and guide the development of our SpineHealth programs and resources.
We believe that when individuals understand the reasoning behind their exercise programs, they are better prepared to make informed decisions, exercise confidently, and maintain their spine health over time.
About Shane Sullivan, PT, DPT, CERT. MDT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, CEAS
Shane Sullivan is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and founder of both SpineScottsdale physical therapy and the Center for SpineHealth. With more than 20 years of clinical experience, he specializes in spine disorders, orthopedic rehabilitation, osteoporosis, posture, and balance.
Shane earned his bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Arizona State University in 1997, where he received the Outstanding Senior Award in the Department of Exercise Science. He began his professional career as a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), developing a strong foundation in orthopedic rehabilitation and exercise programming. In 2002, he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from A.T. Still University.
Throughout his career, Shane has pursued extensive postgraduate education and advanced certifications in spinal and orthopedic rehabilitation. He earned his Certification in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (Cert. MDT) through the McKenzie Institute USA in 2008 and had the unique opportunity to learn directly from Robin McKenzie, founder of the McKenzie Method, during an international spine conference in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Shane also earned his Board Certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), completed specialized training in osteoporosis management through the Meeks Method, and became a Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist (CEAS).
Since 2009, Shane has owned and operated SpineScottsdale Physical Therapy in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he has helped individuals manage spine-related conditions, improve physical function, and develop effective exercise programs.
From Clinical Experience to the Formula for Lifelong SpineHealth
Throughout his clinical career, Shane has recognized a common challenge: Many individuals know that exercise is important, but do not fully understand how to exercise effectively to achieve their specific goals.
Patients are frequently told to strengthen their core, improve their posture, stretch more often, or participate in weight-bearing exercise. Yet they may receive limited guidance about which exercises are appropriate, how those exercises should be performed, how frequently they should exercise, and when or how to progress.
This observation helped inspire the creation of Center for SpineHealth and its educational approach built around four fundamental principles: WHAT to do, HOW to do it, WHEN to do it, and HOW to progress.
Through the Center for SpineHealth, Shane combines decades of clinical experience with evidence-informed education to help individuals better understand exercise and take a more active role in maintaining their spine health throughout life.
Shane Sullivan, PT, DPT, CERT. MDT, OCS, ATC, CSCS, CEAS
Licensed Physical Therapist
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Certified Athletic Trainer
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist