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Back Problems: Raking Leaves without Hurting Your Back

Dr. Kaixuan Liu with Atlantic Spine Center explains how a colorful seasonal chore can cause back injuries and offers tips for prevention

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, September 2015 – For many the fall is a welcomed season, a break away from the scorching heat and humidity of the summer. It is a beautiful time of year as changing leaves color trees in rainbows of yellow, orange, and red. But as nature takes its course, the leaves soon fall making mountains of dry leaves to be raked away. Raking those leaves – a strenuous job you either love or hate – doesn’t have to lead to back injuries, according to Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, founder and president of Atlantic Spine Center. (more…)

September 30, 2015

Pretty soon–falling leaves

I love trees, but they can’t seem to keep it together. All the “stuff” falls off many species about this time of year–and guess who gets to rake up the results?

Raking leaves, says Kaixuan Liu, MD, founder and president of the Atlantic Spine Center, requires a lot of movements–twisting, bending, lifting, reaching. (more…)

Fay: Can ACL tears be prevented in female athletes?

By Robert Fay, Special to The Journal News September 25, 2015

When Maddy Cooper heard the “pop” and went down on the field she knew what it meant.

Cooper, 17, plays defense on the varsity lacrosse team at Rye Country Day School. Playing defense last spring, she sprinted after a loose ball with an opposing player.

“As I finally got the ball, I jumped up in the air, and as I landed she bumped into me,” Cooper said. “When I landed, that was when my knee turned in, and I instantly heard and felt a pop.” (more…)

Fay: Can ACL tears be prevented in female athletes?

By Robert Fay, Special to The Journal News September 25, 2015

When Maddy Cooper heard the “pop” and went down on the field she knew what it meant.

Cooper, 17, plays defense on the varsity lacrosse team at Rye Country Day School. Playing defense last spring, she sprinted after a loose ball with an opposing player.

“As I finally got the ball, I jumped up in the air, and as I landed she bumped into me,” Cooper said. “When I landed, that was when my knee turned in, and I instantly heard and felt a pop.” (more…)

8 Surprising Back Pain Triggers

BY LINDA MELONE, 2015

You expect your back to ache after a day of snow shoveling or helping a friend move. But sometimes back pain causes aren’t so obvious. In fact, everyday habits and even your psychological state can affect your back. Check out these lesser-known habits that boost back pain risk. (more…)

Failed Spine Surgery Syndrome, When Back or Neck Surgery Doesn’t Work

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, September 16, 2015 – Most of the time spine surgery achieves its goal, with pain relief being among the top benefits for beleaguered back or neck pain sufferers. But occasionally, a patient’s pain and other symptoms return – a situation known as failed back surgery syndrome – which isn’t necessarily as doom-and-gloom as it sounds, according to Praveen Kadimcherla, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Atlantic Spine Center. (more…)

ACL Injury: The Scourge of Female Athletes

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Armonk, NY,  September 10, 2015 – An audible “pop” often signals a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, one of the most common – and dreaded – injuries for young athletes, particularly girls. Among the approximately 150,000 ACL injuries every year in the United States, various estimates put the number sustained by women at two to eight times those suffered by men. And female athletes between the ages of 15 and 19 account for the highest number of ACL injuries. (more…)

Joshua L. Fox, M.D., F.A.A.D. earned his Medical Degree from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He completed an internship at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, followed by a four-year dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine. A Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, Dr. Fox is known nationwide as a leading authority in the field of dermatology, with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery and laser procedures.  (more…)

Pain Issues: Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusions Squash Back Pain without Arduous Recovery

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, September 1, 2015 – Spinal fusion surgery – which connects bones in the spine to eliminate chronic back pain – once required a long, arduous recovery. However, today’s minimally invasive fusions achieve similar results as traditional techniques with a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less blood loss and minimal muscle damage. These advantages of minimally invasive surgery redeem the procedure’s reputation, according to Daveed Frazier, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Atlantic Spine Center. The advent of minimally invasive back procedures more than a dozen years ago has given rise in recent years to a variety of spinal fusion surgeries necessitating only tiny incisions in a patient’s back or side. Spinal fusions help vertebrae in the spine to grow together to eliminate motion between them that had previously caused pain. (more…)

Business in the ‘Burbs, Jenny Higgons, jhiggons@lohud.com,  August 12, 2015

News of note from local businesses

Physical therapy and training outfit relocates

ARMONK – Armonk Physical Therapy & Sports Training has moved up the street from its previous location to 357 Main St. The new facility is more than 4,600 square feet, which is almost double the size of its previous location.

Scoliosis: Dr. Bitan Answers Your Top Questions,  08/06/15

Learn more about scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine, that if left untreated can cause pain and disability in later life. A conversation with Fabien Bitan, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon with the Atlantic Spine Center, West Orange, New Jersey.

What is scoliosis?

Dr. Bitan: Scoliosis is a disorder in which the normally straight vertical line of the spine curves sideways. The curve is often S-shaped or C-shaped. An estimated 2% to 3% of the U.S. population (6 to 9 million people) have scoliosis. (more…)

What percentage of spine surgeons will perform outpatient surgeries 5 years from now?

Written by Megan Wood | August 04, 2015

Here six spine surgeons discuss the future of outpatient surgeries.

Question: What percentage of spine surgeons will perform outpatient surgeries 5 years from now? (more…)

What percentage of spine surgeons will have ASC ownership in 5 years?

Written by  Megan Wood | Monday, 03 August 2015

Here six spine surgeons discuss where they think the ASC spine industry is headed.

Question: What percentage of spine surgeons will have ownership in ASCs 5 years from now? (more…)

Dermatology Specialist Dr. Valerie Goldburt. 

Topics for commentary from Dr. Valerie Goldburt: surgical and cosmetic procedures, medical dermatology, causes, diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of dermatology issues.  (more…)

BOTOX: IT’S NOT JUST FOR WRINKLES, July 31, 20015

In 2002, the FDA approved the use of injected botulinum toxin type A for temporary reduction in the appearance of wrinkles between the eyebrows. It soon became apparent that the treatment was also effective at other sites and in 2013, the FDA approved its use for lines at the sides of the eyes (crow’s feet). In its 2014 compilation of usage and trends, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported that 6.6 million injections of botulinum toxin type A, better known as Botox (manufactured by Allergan), were performed that year.

“The cosmetic use of Botox for wrinkle reduction is so well known that its therapeutic use for a variety of medical problems has been overshadowed,” says Dr. Alicia Cool of Advanced Dermatology P.C. “Botox injections work by temporarily weakening or paralyzing targeted muscle and make Botox an effective treatment for some conditions that are caused by spasmodic muscle contractions.” (more…)

Happy National Coloring Book Day: Adults are finding solace inside the lines

Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com By Amy Kuperinsky | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com , July 31, 2015

Good news for those who grew up with elementary amusements like crayons and coloring books — you know, instead of digital doohickies like tablets and smartphones. They’re ba-ack.

Just in time for the first National Coloring Book Day on August 2, coloring for adults is not only acceptable — it’s trendy. Funnily enough, to those who spend most days “staying inside the lines” at work, coloring (inside the lines, or out) has proven a welcome escape. (more…)

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, July 28, 2015 – Want to improve your fitness level but afraid your bad back will keep you on the sidelines – or in your easy chair? Luckily, there are plenty of back-friendly cardio exercises that are safe for back pain sufferers, according to Praveen Kadimcherla, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Atlantic Spine Center.

It’s simply untrue that those with spinal problems shouldn’t exercise, Dr. Kadimcherla says, although they would be wise to choose low-impact aerobic activities that don’t aggravatethe spine. Elevating the heart rate for at least 20 minutes at each session is what’s needed to improve heart and lung strength, burn excess calories and accomplish noticeable changes in fitness levels. (more…)

10 things you need to know about childhood concussions

Posted on Jul 22, 2015 by Libby Clark

“Concussion” has become a buzz word in recent years as our knowledge of brain injury has evolved and major sports organizations have come under scrutiny. But what might surprise you is that concussions may impact children even more than professional athletes. (more…)

Dos and Don’ts after Spine Surgery

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, July 22, 2015 – You’ve made the momentous decision to go ahead with spine surgery to fix your chronic back problems. But your efforts toward pain-free living only renew after the procedure ends. Indeed, back surgery patients can do much to maximize their recovery and return to their favorite activities, according to Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, founder and president of Atlantic Spine Center. (more…)

Strengthen Your Home-Study Skills with Online Study Tools

By Jenn Ruliffson July 17, 2015

Learning about new Internet resources can be fun—and it might also make you a better massage student.

Many students benefit from using online study tools, but knowing which programs and websites to use regularly can be tricky. The best students know how to leverage their own skills, self-study tools and work ethic.

Troubleshoot Your Studying

Katherine Ferranti, a licensed massage therapist in Armonk, New York, affiliated with Armonk Physical Therapy and Sports Training, recommends students begin by identifying their own learning styles and previous experiences with learning new information. “Is it really that you need help with anatomy, or do you just need help with time management?” asks Ferranti. (more…)

Do You Really Need That Knee Surgery?

Experts disagree on whether it’s worth going under the knife

By Linda Melone, CSCS, Health & Wellness Blogger, July 14, 2015

You felt it on your last walk when you stepped off a curb the wrong way: a sudden pain and feeling as if your knee were about to give out. Swelling and more pain followed, along with worries that you may need knee surgery.

But would it even help? (more…)

9 Things No One Ever Tells You About Getting A Knee Replacement

By AVIVA PATZ, July 13, 2015

After 20 years of pain and icing her knee nightly, Sue Minutaglio of Westchester, NY, knew she couldn’t put off a knee replacement any longer. What she didn’t know was what a long, grueling road was ahead of her. “After 2 months, I was still swollen, aching, and on painkillers and thinking, ‘Why was this a good idea again?’ ” says Minutaglio, who had her first knee replacement in January 2014 and her second knee done in January 2015. “No one said it would take 6 months to feel a little better and a year to fully regain my strength.” (more…)

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – West Orange, NJ, July 7,2015 – Working in our gardens is practically a national pastime, but many home gardeners forget that the popular hobby is also a workout that can trigger or worsen back pain, according to Kaixuan Liu, MD, PhD, founder and president of Atlantic Spine Center. (more…)

8 Surprising Back Pain Triggers

BY LINDA MELONE, JUNE 4, 2015

You expect your back to ache after a day of snow shoveling or helping a friend move. But sometimes back pain causes aren’t so obvious. In fact, everyday habits and even your psychological state can affect your back. Check out these lesser-known habits that boost back pain risk. (more…)