Condition
Spondylosis (spinal arthritis): causes, symptoms and treatment
A clinically reviewed guide to spondylosis — age-related spinal wear, and how symptoms are managed.
Quick answer
Spondylosis is age-related wear and arthritis of the spine, affecting the discs and joints. It is very common and often causes no symptoms; when it does, exercise, movement and manual therapy are the main treatments.
Key facts
- Spondylosis is essentially osteoarthritis of the spine.
- It is very common with age and frequently painless.
- Management centres on exercise and staying active.
What is spondylosis?
Spondylosis is the general wear-and-tear (osteoarthritic) change of the spine that develops with age, affecting the discs and small joints.
It is a normal ageing process and often shows on imaging in people without pain. The neck (cervical spondylosis) and lower back are the most commonly affected regions.
What are the symptoms of spondylosis?
When symptomatic, spondylosis usually causes stiffness and aching that vary with activity, and sometimes reduced movement.
- Neck or back stiffness, often worse in the morning
- Aching that flares with certain activities
- Reduced range of motion
- Occasional nerve symptoms if a nerve is irritated
How is spondylosis treated?
Spondylosis is managed with exercise, manual therapy and activity modification to keep the spine mobile and strong.
Keeping active is key. Manual therapy can ease stiffness, and a strengthening programme supports the spine and reduces flare-ups.
At Postura Wellness, care for spondylosis is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
Get emergency medical attention for loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or inner thighs, or sudden severe weakness in a leg. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition.
Get a clear plan for your spondylosis
Book an assessment at either branch and get a tailored plan.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified clinician about your individual condition.
Sources
- Back Pain — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine
- Know Your Back — North American Spine Society
- Health Topics — NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
- Sciatica — MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Sciatica — NHS inform (Scotland)
- Bones, Joints and Muscles — MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine