Swedish Covenant Hospital on Chicago’s Northwest Side said it has opened a comprehensive back care center executives hope will position its growing campus for the future demands of health reform.

Known as the Chicago Back Institute, the hospital said it has invested $2.5 million in the project, including upgrades of existing neurological surgery equipment and purchasing new minimally invasive devices.

But the facility will also tout a “conservative approach” to care, executives said, by incorporating complementary therapies that include clinical massage, fitness and nutrition. Swedish Covenant has long been home to one of the area’s first hospital-based fitness centers, the Galter LifeCenter.

The health reform law signed by President Barack Obama four months ago as well as private insurance company contracts will bring demands that hospitals provide higher quality services that are also lower cost.

Swedish Covenant is trying to meet insurers demands by providing all the services consumers who live in its neighborhood need so they avoid trips to more expensive teaching hospitals in the city.

“This is a continuation of an ongoing growth strategy that includes expanding service lines, recruiting renowned physicians and investing in superior technologies, which enables Swedish Convenant to meet the needs of our growing patient population,” said Swedish Covenant Chief Executive Officer Mark Newton.