Lumbar spondylosis is the medical term for the wear-and-tear changes that develop in the lower spine over time — essentially, age-related arthritis of the back. It sounds more alarming than it usually is: these changes are a normal part of getting older, and many people who have them experience little or no trouble. At Back in Action in Penwortham, we care for people across Preston and Lancashire whose back pain is related to these changes, with drug-free, hands-on treatment and reassuring, practical advice.
Understanding lumbar spondylosis
Over the years, the discs, joints and ligaments of the spine gradually change: discs lose some of their height and water content, the facet joints can develop wear much as the knees or hips do, and small bony growths called osteophytes may form around the joints. Together these are described as lumbar spondylosis, or sometimes degenerative change. It is closely related to osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body, such as in the hips and knees, and develops gradually over many years.
The most important thing to understand is that these changes are extremely common and are a normal part of ageing — rather like grey hair for the spine. They are frequently seen on scans of people with no back pain whatsoever, which is why the degree of change on imaging does not reliably predict how much pain someone has. Many people with significant changes stay active and comfortable for years.
This point is worth dwelling on, because the language used to describe these changes — words like degeneration and wear-and-tear — can sound far more alarming than the reality. It is easy to picture a back that is crumbling or worn out, when in truth the spine remains strong and well able to do its job. Reframing these changes as normal, expected and manageable is often a genuine relief, and it tends to make a real difference to how people get on.
What lumbar spondylosis can feel like
It is important to stress that spondylosis does not always cause pain at all — many people have these changes without knowing it. When it does cause symptoms, they tend to include:
- Stiffness in the lower back, often worse in the morning and easing with movement
- An aching low back pain that comes and goes
- Discomfort after prolonged sitting, standing or activity
- A feeling that the back is less flexible than it used to be
- Occasional flare-ups, sometimes triggered by overdoing things or a spell of inactivity
- Reassuringly, symptoms that often respond well to staying active and keeping strong
Symptoms often fluctuate, with good spells and bad spells, rather than steadily worsening over time. This natural ebb and flow is normal, and a flare-up does not mean the underlying changes have suddenly got worse — far more often it reflects a temporary change in activity, posture or stress, and settles back down again with sensible management.
Common causes and risk factors
Lumbar spondylosis is largely a natural consequence of time, but several factors influence it:
- Age — the single biggest factor
- A history of heavy physical work, or years of repeated loading of the spine
- Previous back injuries earlier in life
- Genetics, which affect how our joints and discs age over the years
- Reduced activity and weak supporting muscles, which can make symptoms more noticeable
While we cannot turn back the clock, a great deal can be done to keep the back moving comfortably despite these changes. In fact, how someone fares with spondylosis often depends less on the changes themselves than on how active, strong and confident they are — all of which are things that can be improved at any age.
When to seek help
Back pain related to spondylosis is not dangerous, but it is worth seeking advice if it is persistent, limiting, or affecting your quality of life. Please seek urgent medical attention if you develop difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels, numbness around the back passage or inner thighs, severe or progressive weakness in the legs, or if you feel generally unwell with a fever or unexplained weight loss.
How chiropractic care can help
It is important to be clear about what care can and cannot do here. While chiropractic care cannot reverse age-related changes — and we would never claim it can — it can help a great deal with the stiffness and discomfort that sometimes come with them, and with keeping you active and confident. Following a thorough assessment, our hands-on, drug-free care may include gentle mobilisation and manipulation to help the back move more freely, soft-tissue work, and rehabilitation exercise to maintain mobility and strength. Because we are a multi-practitioner clinic, we can also draw on physiotherapy. The goal is to keep you moving comfortably and confidently, and we will be honest about what care can realistically offer.
What to expect at Back in Action
Your first visit is mostly about understanding your back and how it affects you. We will take a careful history and carry out a physical examination of your movement, posture and the affected area. We will explain what we have found in plain language — including reassurance about what the changes do and do not mean — and discuss a sensible plan. You can read more on our new patients page, with current charges on the fees page.
Because spondylosis is an ongoing, age-related state rather than an injury that simply heals, our focus is on helping you manage it well over the long term: easing flare-ups when they happen, and giving you the means to keep yourself moving comfortably between them. We will be realistic about what to expect and review your progress as we go.
Helping yourself: self-care and prevention
Staying active is the single most helpful thing you can do for a spine with wear-and-tear changes. Measures that often help include:
- Keeping moving and avoiding long periods of inactivity, which tends to stiffen the back
- Regular, gentle exercise such as walking, swimming or similar
- Building and maintaining strength in the back and core muscles
- Managing your weight where relevant, to reduce load on the joints
- Pacing activity sensibly to avoid repeated heavy flare-ups, while still staying as active as you comfortably can
If you would like guidance tailored to you, we can build self-care and exercise advice into your care plan. The aim is to give you simple, sustainable habits that keep the back mobile and strong, so that wear-and-tear changes have as little impact on your daily life as possible.
Related conditions and treatments
Lumbar spondylosis is closely linked to low back pain, back pain, lumbar facet syndrome and osteoarthritis, so reading about those may help. The care we provide draws on approaches such as chiropractic manipulation and exercise and rehabilitation, and may form part of a wider plan alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy services.
Take the first step
If a stiff or aching lower back is getting in the way of your life, you do not have to simply put up with it. We are happy to talk it through and help you understand your options. You can get in touch to book an appointment, or to ask any questions before your first visit.