A journey of recovery from Bahrain to our center in Gurgaon, India
As a clinician, I have encountered numerous patients struggling with chronic back pain. Most of them have struggled with the thoughts on whether to opt for conservative management or surgical intervention. Despite trying out treatment options most of these patients continue to suffer. In my experience, an integrated healthcare approach, thorough examination and assessment of the root cause are crucial in achieving significant results.
I firmly believe in reasoning over applying techniques when dealing with complex back pain issues. A contextual case that illustrates this approach is that of Mrs. M Choudhary – who traveled from Bahrain to India for spinal surgery. She presented with chronic PIVD L4-L5/L5-S1 with right radiculopathy and developed a right foot drop.
Initially, there was a reluctance to treat her as she was advised surgery. But when I took into account her apprehension about undergoing surgery, I decided to initiate treatment using a holistic approach. This approach combined advanced technologies like spinal decompression therapy with voluntary muscle stimulation. After 26-28 sessions, Mrs. Choudhary achieved a remarkable recovery and returned to Bahrain without undergoing surgery.
This experience reinforced several key lessons that I now apply in treating chronic back pain:
- Comprehensive Clinical Examination: It is crucial to move beyond relying solely on diagnostic tools such as MRI scans or X-rays. While these can provide helpful information, they often fail to fully capture the complexity of a patient’s pain. A thorough clinical examination and an understanding of the patient’s complete medical history are vital in identifying the root cause of chronic back pain.
- Personalized Treatment: Every patient is unique and treatment must be tailored to their specific needs. Applying generic exercises or treatments in most cases do not yield the desired result. By designing a personalized plan that includes the right exercises, therapeutic techniques and precautions, we can address the specific imbalances and limitations that each patient faces.
- Addressing the Biopsychosocial Model: Chronic back pain is not just a physical condition—it is a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors. In many cases, emotional and social stressors, as well as a patient’s mindset, can significantly contribute to the persistence and intensity of pain. Addressing these factors alongside physical treatment is essential for achieving long-term relief and improving a patient’s overall well-being.
As the Founder and Director of Physio Active India, located in Gurgaon, I have been fortunate to treat a diverse range of patients suffering from chronic back pain using this holistic approach. The results have been consistently impressive without resorting to invasive procedures. Many patients have experienced significant relief and improved quality of life. This experience has strengthened my belief in the effectiveness of integrated care, where the focus is on the patient as a whole and not just their symptoms.
Chronic back pain, while challenging, is not insurmountable. With a thoughtful, patient-centered approach that takes into account all aspects of a person’s health, we can help individuals reclaim their lives.
The article is written by Dr. M. R. Zulfi, Founder & Director of Physio Active India. Based in Gurgaon, he holds a Master’s degree in musculoskeletal disorders and a fellowship in sports medicine.
