In addition to our expert medical team, state of the art, comprehensive spine care facilities, unparalleled patient service, and signature five day process, one of the reasons that over 70% of patients are willing to travel to LSI is the ideal location of our facilities. With surgery centers in Tampa, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona, and a consultation center in San Diego, California, patients often take the opportunity to incorporate a vacation after their five day experience.

Due to the minimal invasive nature of our procedures, many patients are able to enjoy low to moderately intensive activities upon completion of the five day process. And, what better way to celebrate getting your life back than taking a relaxing vacation?  Conveniently, our facilities are all located in major cities that feature a wide variety of historic sites, popular attractions and fun activities. From Florida's breathtaking amusement parks and pristine ocean waters to Scottsdale's captivating architecture, museums, and tranquil spas, the possibilities for a relaxing vacation are endless!
 
Within close proximity to our Tampa location, patients and families can experience:
•    Disney World
•    Universal Studios
•    Sea World
•    Busch Gardens
•    Florida Aquarium
•    Year-round beautiful weather
•    Famous Beaches
•    Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
 
Within close proximity to our Scottsdale location, patients and families can enjoy:

•    The Grand Canyon
•    Sedona
•    Golf - Over 200 area courses
•    Heard Museum
•    Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
•    Renowned Spas
•    Taliesin West
•    Desert Botanical Gardens

In recognition of Administrative Professionals Day, LSI Director of Physical Therapy, Irene Rademeyer PT.OCS., provided some helpful tips for keeping your spine in line while you are hard at work in your office. At LSI, we provided beach balls for members of staff.  These balls are economical and are useful for lumbar support. You should try them!

Common Mistakes
•    Sitting at a desk longer than 30 minutes without moving
•    Poor sitting and working postures
•    Incorrect ergonomics for the computer, desk and the person working there
•    Sustaining the same position constantly while working
•    Using medication for relief of back and neck pain while at work

Easy Solutions
•    Alternate sitting at a desk to working at a standing station and taking frequent walks
•    Improve work posture by using a partially inflated beach ball (5 - 10%), behind back and a
     mobile footrest under feet
•    Correct the ergonomics of a workstation and have the computer at eye level with the chair
     at the appropriate level for the person's height
•    Do chair exercises, such as neck and shoulder exercises, pelvic rocking, abdominal
     bracing and spinal lengthening
•    "Listen to your body" by moving before developing muscle tension and joint stiffness

I hope you found these tips useful and I would be interested to hear about your spine protection practices! Remember, the small steps that you take today may amount to great leaps on your path to a healthy spine. To read Irene's article in its entirety, click here.

This past week, I had the pleasure of dining at Mastros City Hall Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mastros is a magnificent restaurant, specializing in steaks and seafood. While there, my colleagues and I ordered seafood towers for the table and much to my delight and amazement, out came a four level display of all kinds of fresh seafood, accompanied by dry ice that left a trail of smoke almost as big as a fire!

It was a remarkable presentation and overall experience, and having grown up in a home with a mother who has exceptional culinary skills, I have high expectations. So, if you are a seafood or steak lover, perhaps on your anniversary, spouse's birthday, kid's graduation, or some other special occasion, I encourage you to try Mastros City Hall.

Earlier this year, I told you about my plan for a series of posts, entitled Patient Spotlight - Stories of Hope and Courage. This series, as promised, captures patients' journeys from pain to recovery. Today's post was featured in a previous issue of our monthly Newsletter, The Spinal Column,  and tells the stories of Father Rene Guesnier, Father Joachim Schieber and Brother Mark Kosiba, who have all triumphed over pain and got their lives back after surgery at LSI! Enjoy!

Laser Spine Institute Answers Prayers for Three Benedictine Monks
 
By means of the internet, educational seminars and word of mouth, the good news about LSI's tremendous success traveled all the way to a Benedictine monastery. Conception Abbey, located in Northwest Missouri, is home to three monks, who all suffered from spinal conditions, which resulted in severe pain.

Father Rene Guesnier, Father Joachim Schieber and Brother Mark Kosiba each underwent minimally invasive endoscopic laser spine surgery at LSI in October 2007.The results of their procedures were so remarkable that the Abbey published an article in the Summer 2008 edition of their very own quarterly publication called Tower Topics.

According to the author of the article, Jarrod Thome, "The drastic alleviation of pain in these men's lives borders on the miraculous.Thanks to LSI, they are now able to continue their prayer and work for the good of Conception Abbey, the Church and society without the burden of excruciating pain". If you would like to find out more about Conception Abbey or to read the article in its entirety, please click here.