Your spine is made up of discs stacked up one upon the other and supported by the vertebrae. These structures undergo degeneration and wear away due to ageing and repeated use of the same spinal bone. It may so happen that one vertebra slips over another. Spondylolisthesis is one such spinal degenerative condition which is commonly associated with wear and tear of the spinal bones and cartilage, such as in the case of arthritis. It could lead to severe pain in the back, which can even become chronic with time. Advanced QI spine therapy can be used for spondylolisthesis treatment.
Like other degenerative spine conditions, spondylolisthesis is also common among older adults over the age of 50. Women are more prone to it than men. While gradual spinal degeneration is the main cause of this condition, you may also develop spondylolisthesis as a result of other reasons as well. These include:
- Wearing down of the vertebrae in addition to joint remodelling
- Weakness in the Ligamenta Flava, which is the ligaments that form the posterior wall of the spinal canal
- Sudden trauma to the spine could cause a vertebra to slide out of place, referred to as traumatic spondylolisthesis
- Repetitive trauma to the spine (it is common in weightlifters)
- Birth defects that cause some abnormalities in one or more vertebrae
When you develop this condition, you might not experience any symptoms, i.e., it may be asymptomatic for many. Though back pain is commonly associated with this condition, there are other signs and symptoms that indicate a degenerative condition like this. You should be aware of the symptoms of this condition so that you can seek prompt spondylolisthesis treatment. The other signs of spondylolisthesis include the following:
- 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
Spondylolisthesis treatment involves pain management with prevention of progression of the condition. If vertebral discs slip out of place, it cannot be shifted back into place. That is why it is essential to locate the origin of back pain. Our non-invasive, functional diagnostic test– Digital Spine Analysis (DSA) allows us to pinpoint the exact location of your back pain and your weak spinal muscles so that we can provide focused treatment.
At QI Spine Clinic, our primary spondylolisthesis treatment involves utilising the Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) technology to alleviate pain and encourage cellular repair and regeneration. This is the Cell Repair Treatment which uses low-frequency microcurrents to stimulate your spinal tissues and reduces pain inflammation in the affected area of your back.
After preliminary spondylolisthesis treatment to reduce painful symptoms and inflammation at the region of your spine where the vertebrae have slipped, our spine specialists focus on tailored treatment protocols for each individual patient. Our spine specialists garner the vast experience of treating a wide range of spine-related conditions and diseases allowing them to provide appropriate spondylolisthesis treatment and individualised attention. Individual spondylolisthesis treatment protocol involves increasing the efficiency of local stabilisers (deep muscles) to prevent further shifting of the vertebral column and global stabilisers (superficial muscles) for maintenance.
Spondylolisthesis can lead to chronic and debilitating pain if left untreated. If you notice the symptoms of spondylolisthesis, you shouldn't delay treatment and diagnosis. Visit a spine specialist at QI Spine Clinic for a definite diagnosis and timely symptom management.
