What is QI Back & Spine Clinic?

QI Back & Spine Clinic is a team of medical professionals who are dedicated to diagnosing & treating severe, chronic or acute back and spine conditions by non-surgical methods. Diagnosing the root cause of back and spine conditions is always the first step in medicine. We use a multi-disciplinary approach to accurately diagnose the cause of back pain because the more accurate the diagnosis, the more precise the treatment. We believe that it is essential to reverse the underlying cause of back pain and not just temporarily suppress the symptoms.

How do you diagnose the root cause of back pain?

An accurate diagnosis is critical as 85% of back pain cases are termed ‘non-specific’. Your back pain can be due to a neurological, systemic, structural or mechanical dysfunction. We are amongst the first to use a diagnostic approach that covers all these aspects. We use non-invasive technology that isolates the spinal structure. The controlled guided movements test and measure the strength and mobility of the spine. We can therefore identify the root cause of your back pain and prescribe further course of treatment.

What technology do you use? Is it non-invasive?

The machines we use are non-invasive biofeedback devices. They hold and support your body in fixed positions and then measure your functional ability during movements. They allow us to get a clear understanding of your spinal muscle tissue.

Who are QI spine specialists?

Our spine specialists are doctors with a specialisation in spinal disorders post a 4-year clinical degree in physical medicine or physiotherapy. They are specialists in the prescription of mechanical medical movements. Their expertise is dedicated to the reversal of spinal disorders and to promote mobility & function.

Treatment

Spondylolisthesis Treatment Without Surgery

QI Spine Clinic, 4 years ago

Can spondylolisthesis be treated without surgery?

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition wherein one vertebra slips over the other vertebra below and moves out of its place. This misalignment can cause low back pain, disability, and can get worse gradually. People who acquire spondylolisthesis were either born with it or it can occur from trauma, sports injury or diseases like spondylosis, osteoporosis. In some cases, degenerative spinal conditions (like spinal osteoarthritis or disc disease that damages the spine’s joints and discs) causes the vertebrae to destabilize and hence leading to spondylolisthesis. The condition can be treated with conservative, non-surgical methods till the spondylolisthesis has advanced to a point where the symptoms become unmanageable.

Non-Surgical Spondylolisthesis Treatment Options

Non-surgical spondylolisthesis treatment methods are opted to try to control the symptoms. The goal of spondylolisthesis treatment is pain control, healing (when possible), and restoration of normal functions. The initial or first line of treatment for spondylolisthesis is a conservative treatment that is based on the symptoms you are experiencing. Non-surgical treatment methods for spondylolisthesis also include anti-inflammatory medicines, mild analgesics, physical therapy, spinal injections and exercise programs. Usually, a combination of the following might be recommended:

Rest – Avoid strenuous activities like bending or lifting and taking a short period of rest might help in reducing your symptoms. Also, take a break from sports may help in pain relief.

Pain medications – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can help reduce pain by decreasing the inflammation of the muscles and nerves. Over-the-counter analgesics may also help in providing pain relief.

Injections – If you have severe pain which is radiating down the leg and causing numbness or tingling sensation and symptoms are not reducing by conservative management, then epidural steroid injections might be recommended and is an effective option for you.

Rehabilitation or Physical Therapy – Rehabilitation is under the guidance of a physical therapist involving gentle muscle stretching and core strengthening routine. Several weeks of spondylolisthesis physiotherapy treatment may help in reducing your symptoms. Physiotherapy treatment for spondylolisthesis can help strengthen your back muscles and stabilize your spine, which minimizes your symptoms.

TENS – TENS is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It helps in reducing muscle spasms and enhances the production of endorphins, i.e. your natural pain killers. TENS can also be a helpful therapy.

Hot/Cold therapy – Alternating between hot and cold therapy helps relieve pain. Heat therapy will increase the blood flow to the target area which helps to heal the muscle spasms. Cold therapy, on the other hand, slows down circulation and thereby reduces inflammation, muscle spasms and pain.

Massage therapy – A technique of deep tissue massage targets spasms and chronic muscle tension.

Activity Modification – Those sports or activities that increase your lower back pain must be avoided or take a break from doing that until the pain subsides. You can do low-impact activities, which increases the blood flow to the spine and speed up your recovery.

1. Bracing – Wearing a brace might be beneficial to patients whose symptoms have become crippling for them. A back brace supports your lower back and your physician may recommend the right type of brace for you.

1. Rehabilitation – Rehabilitation is under the guidance of a physical therapist involving gentle upper and lower body stretching and core strengthening routine.

Visit our nearest clinic for your first consultation