Blog

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 […]

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, […]

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.  […]

Back pain can be debilitating. When it’s part of your daily reality, it can weigh you down and even lead to episodic depression. At Advanced Spine, we’re here to help with your back pain, with non-invasive and surgical solutions tailored to address your condition and its severity.  But we also believe in you.  It’s in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]