Neurosurgeon teaches brain facts, fiction

Pioneer Press, May 21, 2008

More than 165 Roosevelt Middle School fifth-graders learned neurological fact from fiction May 7, as they took part in Dr. Gail Rosseau’s “Fact or Fiction: The Neurosurgery Reality Show.”

Rosseau, a River Forest resident and neurosurgeon with the Neurologic and Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago, and her son, Brendan, a sixth-grader at Roosevelt, presented the animated, interactive Power Point presentation that focused on the brain and spine. Read more

Surgery ‘first line of treatment’ against glioma tumors

The Washington Times — By Amy Fagan - May 21, 2008

The type of brain tumor that Sen. Edward M. Kennedy has — a glioma — originates in the brain and accounts for 77 percent of malignant brain tumors and 42 percent of all brain tumors, medical experts said yesterday.

Mr. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, has a “malignant glioma in the left parietal lobe,” according to a statement from his doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital. Read more

Summer bike safety: use your head, use your helmet

WGN9 Medical Watch, May 14, 2008

In tonight’s Medical Watch — it’s fun, it’s fast and it’s the number one cause of brain injury … a bike. And believe it or not just wearing a helmet is not enough. Parents and kids need to use their heads. Read more

New state-of-the-art procedure helps reduce future herniations

Brighton, WI, May 8, 2008

Richard Korth, 44, Brighton, who has struggled with a herniated disc for years, is now pain free and looking forward to a future without complications. For a long time Korth endured constant pain in his lower back and referred pain in his legs, which greatly limited his ability to be productive in his exhibit building business. Read more

“Back in Action”: fitness expert Andrea Metcalf shows exercises to reduce back pain

Fitness expert and NBC5 Fitness Team member Andrea Metcalf explains that the route to a pain-free back is working the core from the inside-out. More than 80% of all Americans experience back pain, which is the number one reason for missing work. Metcalf insists more people need education on ways to strengthen their core.

Because of this, she will share her tips and core strengthening exercises with back pain sufferers in a free clinic on Saturday, May 5, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch clinic located at 565 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills. She will be joined by Dr. Dan Hurley, CINN physiatrist, who will explain the importance of core strengthening from a medical perspective.

“Many people have heard by now that core strengthening is important to relieve back pain“, she says. “However, many people think that means doing hundreds of crunches and ignoring the importance of strengthening the deep transverse muscles that stabilizes the lower back. Much of the results from good back strengthening work cannot be seen from outside the body.”

Some of Metcalf’s quick tips include:

• Sit with your hips higher than your knees
• Remember to breathe deeply into your belly
• Don’t cross your legs while sitting

Metcalf, who founded mbc Fitness in suburban Chicago, appears regularly on NBC5 as part of the morning show fitness team, is a midwest regional aerobics medalist and specializes in “boomer” fitness. Since most back pain sufferers are over 40, Metcalf will be demonstrating ways for boomers to get into good back shape and how to say there.

Metcalf will discuss the physiology of the core in relation to the spine and many of the potential causes of lower back pain, such as a lumbar spine curve, tight hip flexors, tight hamstrings and weak abdominals. Her exercises will include the hip flexor stretch, lumbar stretch, calf stretch, bridge lift, tummy tuck, among others. All are exercises that individuals can perform at home.