Physiotherapy in Toronto for Lower Back

Q: Is there any treatment for when one vertebrae slips over another? My mother has this in her lower back and it's causing her quite a bit of back pain.

A: As some people age, they may develop a condition called spondylolisthesis, where one vertebrae, or spinal bone, may slip over the one below it. This could be caused by a deterioration or degeneration of the spine, as with arthritis, or by a trauma to the spine. Regardless of the cause, it can cause significant pain and disability to some people.

Treatment for this condition may involve exercises or physiotherapy, to help strengthen and stretch the muscles around the spine and the abdominal muscles. For some people, a brace can help by supporting the back. If neither of these non-surgical methods work, some physicians recommend surgery to help fuse the spine, taking the pressure of the first vertebrae of the second one.

Reference: Patrick J. Denard, MD, et al. Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Among Elderly Men. In Spine. May 1, 2010. Vol. 35, No. 10. Pp. 1072-1078.