The Digital Spine Analysis (DSA) is the first clinically accepted test for measuring spine function. It is a revolutionary diagnostic tool that reveals what standard imaging tests like X-rays and MRIs cannot. The DSA is a very precise test that measures the strength, mobility and balance of all the elements of the spine’s muscular components. This provides the doctor with a complete and accurate functional profile of the patient’s spine.
Why DSA?
Back pain is usually associated with a deficiency in proper spine function. This is due to the inability of the spine to cope up with the ‘load’ of an active lifestyle. Effective treatment of back pain starts with the accurate diagnosis of the cause of back pain. Hence, a complete functional test of the spine, in addition to the examination of the anatomy of the spine, is necessary. This is where the DSA becomes extremely important.
To draw a parallel from our everyday life, consider the testing done for a heart problem – a stress test is done in addition to other anatomical tests that show the structure of the heart – so the root cause of heart trouble is diagnosed or in the case of the eye, a vision test is done in addition to the anatomical tests to diagnose and treat the problem accurately. In both examples, the function is as important as the structural problems.
How is the DSA more effective than other forms of diagnosis?
Published medical research clearly indicates that MRIs and X-rays fail to provide a clear diagnosis for the cause of back pain in 85% of cases. This means 85% people don’t get to know why they have back pain. The reason for this misdiagnosis is the use of structural testing in place of functional testing. X-rays and MRIs can only identify structural changes in the spine and thus, fail to identify the actual cause of the problem. It is only logical that treatment based on such diagnosis provides only short-term symptomatic relief.
Unlike conventional anatomical diagnosis of the spine, the DSA provides a thorough and accurate diagnosis of the functional deficiencies based on bio-feedback. This bio-feedback can be compared to the feedback of a stress test of the heart. The DSA tests your spine based on 21 different diagnostic parameters. The report that the test generates enables our specially trained Spine Consultants to identify the root cause of back pain and devise a patient-specific treatment protocol.
What is the diagnosis process?
Clinical assessment
The process begins with an elaborate consultation with one of our spine consultants where a detailed case history is taken for thorough understanding.
DSA
The consultation is followed by a digitally administered diagnostic test called the Digital Spine Analysis. This test determines the functional ability of the patient’s spine including the strength, flexibility and balance of all its muscular components.
Root cause diagnosis
The results of this test are used to diagnose the condition of the patient’s spine and identify the root cause of the pain or discomfort that the patient experiences. Finally, a targeted treatment program is devised based on both the initial consultation and the test findings. This program is very specific to the spinal deficiencies of the patient and helps to reverse the cause and provide a permanent solution to their back pain.