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.

Back Pain: Treatment, Relief, Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Back Pain Symptoms

Back pain is a common condition affecting 8 out of 10 adults and is the number one reason for disability in the world. The intensity of pain differs from person to person.

Back pain is more common in the lower back region, also known as lumbago. Backache can be felt anywhere along your spine, from your neck to hips. Correct back pain treatment is essential to relieve your back pain symptoms. Backache can range from a muscle aching to shooting, stabbing, or burning sensation.

The pain might radiate down your leg or worsen with movements like bending, twisting, lifting, walking, or standing. The back pain is considered chronic if it lasts for more than 12 weeks. People who suffer from back pain experience any combination of the following symptoms:

Pain could be constant or could occur at irregular intervals.
Soreness when the affected area is touched.
Difficulty in performing routine activities like bending, standing, or walking due to pain.
The pain is localized or radiates to the legs, passing through the buttocks and thighs.
Pain in the leg or foot that radiates.
Pain only on one side of the buttock or leg.
Tingling or numbness in the lower body or limbs.
Difficulty in controlling functions of bowel and bladder

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Back Pain Causes

Back pain often occurs without any specific cause that can be identified. However, many conditions are linked to back pain causes which are mentioned below:

Occupational strain: This involves excessive bending and lifting weights, twisting or driving.
Lifestyle issues: This happens when the patient leads a sedentary lifestyle, gains weight and does not exercise.
Physical causes: Osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, fracture, injury, tumour or infection in the spine (rare condition)
Age factors: The pain is caused by osteoporosis, disc and joint degeneration, and soft tissue strain.
Medical conditions: Back pain is common in the case of pregnancy or obesity.

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Back Pain Treatment

Pain can be temporarily relieved by hot and cold compresses. A proper diagnosis is important to provide the best back pain treatment. You have plenty of non-surgical treatment options to address back pain. However, a more holistic and long-lasting approach involves spine rehabilitation using :

Isolation Treatment with device-based therapy: The weak muscles and tissues are identified and treated in isolation. They are strengthened and degeneration is arrested.
Self-Care Exercise & Physical therapy: Exercises that strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, increases your flexibility should be practiced regularly. Other activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, etc can be done after consulting your doctor.
Posture correction or posture improvement is a vital step for back pain treatment.
Lifestyle changes such as engaging in physical activities, postural breaks, ergonomics correction
Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years

Back Pain Prevention

You can prevent back pain or avoid its recurrence by keeping your back healthy and strong. You should do the following to maintain your back and spine: -

Exercising regularly is a must. Do those exercises that increase your strength and endurance in your back and permits your muscles to function better. You can consult with your doctor about which exercises or activities you can and cannot do.
Consider doing abdominal and back muscle exercises that strengthen your core, conditions these muscles, builds muscle strength and flexibility.
Always maintain a healthy, correct posture while walking, standing, sitting, or bending. Do not slouch or hunch forward while sitting.
Try to maintain a healthy weight as excess body weight can strain your back muscles. A good posture can help reduce the stress on back muscles.
Avoid sitting in one position for a long time. Try changing your position at repeated intervals.
Avoid heavy lifting when possible. If you have to lift a heavy object then use your legs to do the work, keep your back straight and bend only at the knees.
Modify your lifestyle habits such as reduce or manage stress, quit smoking, switch to an active lifestyle than a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking is known to increase your risk of low back pain.

When to see a Spine specialist?

Sometimes, back pain isn’t a stand-alone pain and other symptoms may appear along with backache. If such symptoms occur, then you should consider visiting a spine specialist or doctor immediately and get suitable back pain treatment: -

Fever
A recent injury, ex: back pain from a fall
Weakness or numbness in one or both the legs
Bowel or bladder issues
Sudden, unexplained weight loss
Back pain that exists for over a few weeks and that doesn’t improve with rest.

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 4 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Back Pain Diagnosis

Your physician will check your complete medical history and also conduct a physical examination to identify the root cause of back pain. Neurologic tests involving sensation and function assessment may be carried out to determine the root cause of pain and devise an appropriate treatment.

Function, reflexes, flexibility, and range of motion are assessed during movements like walking, bending forward and backward, etc. Besides, blood tests may be needed to look for signs of infection, inflammation, etc.

Often, it may become difficult to identify the exact cause of back pain, since there are so many reasons. If the cause is not clear, sometimes, you may be asked to get a few imaging tests to rule out specific causes of pain including tumors, etc. These tests are as follows:

X-ray
CT Scan
MRI
Myelogram
DSA

How QI Spine Diagnoses Back Pain?

Accurate diagnosis is essential to a proper back pain treatment program. As the doctors in Qi Spine are trained for several hours in spine conditions alone; they have the expertise to diagnose the cause of back pain accurately. A detailed medical analysis is carried out including pain history, your range of motion, and testing of nerves and muscles.