He’s Got Our Back
Inova Spine Doctor Receives Patent, Wins Teaching Award

It’s been a professionally rewarding year for Ali Ganjei, MD, Co-Medical Director of Inova Spine Institute. Over the last several months, the experienced physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist won an award for teaching excellence and earned a U.S. patent for a special body mechanics device.

“I’m a strong believer that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” Dr. Ganjei says. “My device can potentially be used as a powerful preventive tool for some of the most common — and most expensive — medical problems in the United States: back pain.”

The back bend monitor is an ergonomic biofeedback device, which can assist people in following proper body mechanics when they bend or sit. This system, which can be customized and tailored for individuals, monitors their motions and provides them with ongoing body mechanic information as they go about their daily life. The signal for violating correct body mechanics is a subtle vibration that warns users to stop bending or to fix their posture, thereby avoiding conditions that can lead to bodily strain that causes back pain.

Team Player

Since joining the Inova team almost 20 years ago, Dr. Ganjei has spent his time working in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He says he was drawn to this specialty because of its holistic approach to medicine.

“Because we take care of very complicated cases, we really work as a team,” Dr. Ganjei says. “As a physician, I am the team leader, but I have so many valuable members on my team — including top-notch Inova nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, in addition to case managers, social workers and dietitians. It’s just an incredible approach to taking the best care of patients who have suffered catastrophic injuries and illnesses.”

Admired Teacher

Dr. Ganjei, who teaches fourth-year medical students at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Inova Campus, is skilled at communicating the importance of providing good care. Earlier this year, he received the school’s M-4 Clinical Educator Certificate of Recognition for Teaching Excellence award.

“I truly was honored,” says Dr. Ganjei, who has been recognized as a “top doc” in national listings, as well as in Washingtonian magazine, for the last 15 years. “It makes me humble, and it makes me want to try even harder. I feel very fortunate to be able to train the next generation of physicians. Being able to have a part in molding a physician is truly a privilege.”

Body Basics
Learn more about physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Inova Rehabilitation Center by clicking here.