Discs are the shock absorbers of the spine. When part of the disc breaks away from the parent disc at the site of extrusion it is known as disc sequestration
The main symptom of disc sequestration is pain in the affected area and/or the legs. The extruded material from within the disc can press against the spinal nerves which in turn affects sensory signals from other parts of the body. Some of the most common symptoms of disc sequestration include:
The main cause of disc sequestration is disc degeneration. Disk degeneration decreases the flexibility of the disks which increases the risk of damage caused by strain or injury. Some of the common causes of disc sequestration include:
Disc sequestration often causes extreme pain as the sequestered portion of the disc presses against nearby nerves. Conventional treatment for a sequestered disc involves one or more pain killers including NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), opioids, epidural infiltrations, and periradicular infiltrations (CT-guided). Surgery is often recommended in severe cases. However, many of these medications cause severe side effects and wide-scale studies show that back surgery is often unnecessary and doesn’t improve outcomes.
Pharmacological and surgical methods are temporary fixes that cause more harm than good. However, QI offers a non-pharmacological therapy called Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) to reduce pain caused by a sequestered disc. This treatment method uses low-level electrical currents to reduce back pain without the risk of any side effects. This therapy also reduces inflammation and promotes the body’s tissue repair processes. Pain management also includes isolation muscle training, extensions, and medical movements that focus on core strengthening. The type of movements included in these therapies will depend on the location and intensity of the pain.
85% of all back pain cases do not receive a definite diagnosis and are termed “non-specific”. These patients are then put on a common treatment plan in which the symptoms are managed but the primary cause is not treated. However, QI has algorithm-based treatment protocols which are derived from knowledge over 47,000 past cases. This ensures that every patient receives a treatment plan that is customized to his/her needs. This unique system focuses on evidence-based methods to reduce disability and pain.
Recurrence is a possible complication after back surgery for disc sequestration. Population studies show that recurrent disc herniation can occur in up to 25% of all cases. QI spine specialists will recommend medical movements for each patient based on a thorough physical assessment. Medical movements help to strengthen the muscles supporting the spine which ensures proper alignment of the spine. The intensity, frequency, and type of medical movement is based on the patient’s requirements. This therapy ensures that the structures affected by the sequestered disc are not further irritated and that the risk of recurrence is minimal. Back pain that is severe or persistent should never be ignored as it can aggravate the underlying condition and result in serious problems
Disc sequestration often causes extreme pain as the sequestered portion of the disc presses against nearby nerves. Conventional treatment for a sequestered disc involves one or more pain killers including NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), opioids, epidural infiltrations, and periradicular infiltrations (CT-guided). Surgery is often recommended in severe cases. However, many of these medications cause severe side effects and wide-scale studies show that back surgery is often unnecessary and doesn’t improve outcomes.
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Who is a QI Spine Specialist?
A QI Spine Specialist is a medical expert with
Dr. Nidhi Sanghvi Shah
Dr. Shital Gaikwad
Dr. Richa Bhatia
9000 hours
of specialisation in treating back and neck conditions
32 hours
of spine physiotherapy specialisation methods in McKenzie concepts, Kinetic control, Neurodynamic solutions, Mulligan’s concepts
500 hours
and 6 months of QI Spine specialisation courses