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.

Spondylolisthesis: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

Spondylolisthesis Symptoms

Back pain is one of the most common symptoms of spondylolisthesis although the condition might be asymptomatic for some people. Some of the other possible symptoms of spondylolisthesis include:

Pain in the lower back that intensifies when upright and reduces while lying down
Intermittent shooting pain that passes from the buttocks down to the legs (sciatica)
Pain that intensifies during coughing or sneezing bouts Numbness or tingling that radiates from the back to the legs
Excessive curvature of the spine (kyphosis)
A change in posture and gait caused by the tightening of the hamstrings which can become a waddle in severe cases
A tendency to lean forward

Professional diagnosis required
Chronic, can last for years
Treatable with 8 weeks of QI Spine Therapy

Spondylolisthesis Causes

Spondylolisthesis is most commonly associated with abnormal wear of the bones and cartilage, such as in the case of arthritis. This condition is more likely to affect people who are over 50 and it is more common in women than in men. The causes of spondylolisthesis include:

Wearing down of the vertebrae along with joint remodelling (degenerative spondylolisthesis)
Weakness in the ligamenta flava – the ligaments that form the posterior (back) wall of the spinal canal
Repetitive trauma to the spine, especially common in weightlifters
Sudden trauma to the spine can cause a vertebra to slide out of place (traumatic spondylolisthesis)
Birth defects that cause abnormalities in one or more vertebrae

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

Spondylolisthesis Treatment

Once a vertebra slips forward or backward, it cannot be shifted back into place. Since pain is a common symptom, conventional treatment for spondylolisthesis focuses on pain management through pain medications. However, pain medication only supresses the pain and so a patient is forced to stay on them permanently since the underlying problem is not addressed. Although doctors often suggest surgery for spondylolisthesis, newer studies show that conservative treatment is successful in up to 80% of all cases.

Non-Pharmacological Pain Treatment

QI utilizes Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) to reduce spondylolisthesis pain. This technology uses a low-level electric current to promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and eliminate back pain. FSM is often recommended for severe cases.

Technologically Advanced Diagnostic Tools

QI uses Digital SpineAnalysis (DSA) which is an advanced technology that provides precise functional diagnosis. Unlike MRI and Xray tests that only identify bone and tissue damage, the DSA test can pinpoint the muscles that have become weakened as a result of this condition. This ensures accurate and precise treatment for quick and lasting relief from spondylolisthesis.

Individualized Treatment Protocols

QI customises every treatment protocol depending on the needs of each patient. Each protocol is designed to reduce disability and pain and is derived from an algorithm based on over 47,000 past cases. This ensures that every patient with lower back pain receives treatment that is best suited to his/her needs. Treatment protocols for spondylolisthesis generally focus on increasing the efficiency of local stabilizers (deep muscles) to prevent further shifting of the vertebral column and global stabilizers (superficial muscles) for maintenance. Spondylolisthesis can become severe and even debilitating if left untreated and so it is important to visit a spine specialist at the earliest for a definite diagnosis and timely treatment.