Can Tai Chi Help Relieve Chronic Neck Pain?
Have you ever seen a group of people practicing Tai Chi in the park? The slow, graceful movements of Tai Chi are said to be helpful for improving physical balance and strengthening the muscles. Using a series of poses which transition into one another, followers of Tai Chi swear by its many benefits. For the elderly, Tai Chi is a useful practice for preventing falls and improving psychological…
Can Surgical Repair of Phrenic Nerve Injury Improve Breathing?
For such an important nerve, governing such a crucial bodily function, the phrenic nerve doesn’t get a lot of airtime. Yet, this is the nerve which controls breathing, telling your diaphragm when to expand and contract, as you inhale and exhale.
It’s the phrenic nerve that allows you to carry on in your daily life, without giving a second thought to the act of breathing. This unconscious…
Meet Dr. Jason E. Lowenstein
Advanced Spine Center is proud to introduce Dr. Jason E. Lowenstein. As part of our team. Dr. Lowenstein brings a wealth of experience to patients here, with expertise in a variety of conditions affecting the spine.
Born in New York City, Dr. Lowenstein and his family relocated to Pittsburgh, PA when he was a teen. His dream of becoming a doctor took him to the University of Pennsylvania…
Herniated Disc Treatment for Bulging and Slipped Discs
Here at the Advanced Spine Center, we’re dedicated to finding the right treatment for each case. One size does not fit all, when it comes to bulging and slipped discs, so our approach to treatment is highly personalized.
Many cases of bulging and slipped discs respond well to conservative, non-invasive therapies. Others, though, may require surgical intervention. This is especially true…
Back Injury Prevention for Athletes and Sports Participants
Back injuries are the number one reason high school athletes and sports participants get benched. But back injuries happen even to the pros and have ended many a high-flying professional athlete’s career.
It’s easy to get out there and forget about safety, but some things are more important than making that flashy play, or winning the game. Your back’s health is one of them. We know you…
New Study Shows That Running Can Benefit the Spine
Does that sound counter-intuitive? At first glance it does, but research into conditions of the back is a thriving sector and new discoveries are always coming to the surface. As medical understanding expands, we often find some of our most cherished beliefs challenged.
A new study shows that running can benefit the spine and reduce back pain, due to its effects on spinal discs.…
Will I Get a Psychological Screening Before My Spine Procedure?
Pre-surgical depression is not at all unusual, especially when patients have been experiencing pain and loss of mobility. Not all spine surgery patients suffer from psychological conditions prior to their surgeries, but a growing chorus of professionals is underlining the need for more thorough assessment.
When patients aren’t psychologically screened and a condition like depression is…
Some Helpful Stretches to Ease Sciatic Pain
Up to 40% of people in the USA will suffer from sciatica at some point in their lives. The root causes of this painful condition are many, but that’s not what we’re here to talk about. We’re here to offer those of you reading some helpful stretches to ease sciatic pain.
Often, people will feel that the pain prevents them from doing anything to ease it, physically. But nothing could be…
Standing or Sitting? Which Is Better for Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease can certainly be exacerbated by sitting. People with this condition often find that sitting for long periods can cause them a lot of pain, so they tend to favor standing.
While we understand why people think that’s the answer, we need to be honest and say that it’s only a partial solution to the problem. This is not an “either/or” question.
“Standing or sitting?…
In the News: Drs. Ben Carson, Jason Lowenstein & more
Here are 10 spine surgeons who made the headlines this week:
Mountainview, Calif.-based El Camino Hospital's Jeffrey Coe, MD, performed two-level disc replacement surgeries with Zimmer Biomet's Mobi-C technology.
The Senate confirmed Ben Carson, MD, as the next Housing and Urban Development Secretary, the New York Times reports.
Alexander Ghanayem, MD, of Maywood, Ill.-based Loyola…