Further testing for Crosby

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is undergoing a series of tests with a neurological spine specialist, the team announced Saturday.

The 24-year-old Crosby, who hasn't played since early December because of concussion-like symptoms, travelled to California on Friday to meet with Dr. Robert S. Bray.

Crosby accompanied the Penguins on their trip to Florida last weekend and skated with his teammates for two days. He then went to visit with Dr. Ted Carrick, a Canadian-born specialist in chiropractic neurology.

The team says Crosby spent several days with Dr. Carrick in Atlanta, working on motion and balance, and continued skating there while getting treatments.

"Sidney is meeting with some of the top specialists in the (U.S.) as he continues his recovery," Penguins general manager Ray Shero said in a statement.

Dr. Bray is founding director and CEO of the D.I.S.C. Sports and Spine Center. He worked with the U.S. Olympic team at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

Since being diagnosed with a concussion on Jan. 6, 2011 -- after taking hits to the head in consecutive games -- Crosby has appeared in just eight NHL games, registering two goals and 12 points.

His most recent setback came during a physical matchup with the Boston Bruins on Dec. 5, although Crosby wasn't even sure what particular play caused the concussion symptoms to return. The Penguins said he passed an ImPACT concussion test afterwards.

The Crosby's prolonged recovery has been monitored by Dr. Micky Collins of the University of Pittsburgh and was recently expanded to include Dr. Joseph Maroon, the neurosurgeon for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers who helped develop the ImPACT test.