Ira Garonzik, MD  |  James Conway, MD PHD  |  Ross Sugar, MD  |  H. Christopher Lawson, MD

Physical Therapy and Restoration

Meet Jim Dowla, MPT
Meet Michele Warehime, PT

The Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center is devoted to providing patients with the highest quality of surgical and nonsurgical care for neurosurgical conditions through the use of leading-edge evidence-based methods. Nonmaleficence, which derives from the Latin maxim Primum non nocere, meaning "first, do no harm", is one of the principal precepts that all medical students are taught early in their training and should become a fundamental principle guiding their decision making into their future. While the origin is uncertain, many scholars suggest roots leading back to the Hippocratic Oath, a pledge commonly recited by physicians upon completion of their formal training.

Often misunderstood as an act of passivity, insight into the fundamental principles of Primum non nocere expose a much deeper core philosophy. A medical philosophy pivoting on a balance between the risk of a course of treatment across the scales from the potential positive outcome should that course be successful. Such delicate balance is the art of medicine played out in the decisions by experienced physicians and their informed patients. It is a balance borne out of trust wherein both parties share in the final decisions. It is the foundational philosophy of the providers at the Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center.

Conservative medicine is placing nonmaleficence into action. Treatment recommendations are formulated thoughtfully utilizing evidence-based proven options, each carefully crafted for the unique presentation of an individual patient. For some patients surgery may be the answer. For others, it may not even be an option. There are cases in which surgical correction of the pathology halts progression but alone is insufficient in restoring a level of function allowing resumption of daily activities. Rather than emphasing repair of pathology, Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center focuses on Restoration.

Foundational to a comprehensive program of restoration is individualized therapy. Leading the non-surgical therapeutic branch of the comprohensive treatment plan for Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center is James Dowla, MPT. Upon assuming the position as Director of Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center Physical Therapy, James applied his diverse experience through the development and implementation of an integrated rehabilitation program including patient education, therapeutic exercise, and manual therapy.

Utilizing detailed and highly personalized individual treatment plans, James’ goal from the beginning has been to restore patients such that they can resume their normal daily routines, a mindset that compliments the conservative treatment philosophy of the Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center as a whole.

Physical Therapy

Successful physical therapy pivots on a mindset of integrating surgical and non-surgical care for patients with spine and brain disorders. From pre-surgical therapeutic and preventive intervention to surgical and post-operative rehabilitation and restoration, the Division of Phyical Therapy, under the direction of Jim Dowla, MPT, is prepared to provide customized treatment plans to address your unique needs.


       Comprehensive spine and neuromuscular assessments;
       Pre and postoperative therapy integration;
       Multi-modal programs including ultrasound, iontophoresis, electric
            stimulation, traction, and thermal treatment;
       Manual therapy including soft tissue manipulation, myofascial release,
            joint mobilization, neuromuscular massage, and stretching;
       Workers Compensation and workplace analysis;
       Return to work program;
       Therapeutic exercise;
       Functional bracing;
       Injury rehabilitation.



General conditions that are treated at Baltimore Neurosurgery and Spine Center include, but are not limited to, the following:

Spine

       Herniated cervical discs;
       Neck and arm pain;
       Cervical myelopathy;
       Cervical stenosis;
       Herniated lumbar discs;
       Low back and leg pain;
       Lumbar stenosis;
       Spinal column tumors;
       Intramedullary spinal cord tumors.

Brain

       Intra and extra-axial tumors (gliomas, meningiomas);
       Skull base tumors;
       Cerebrovascular lesions (carotid artery stenosis, aneurysms, AVMS);
       Parkinson’s disease and tremor.