Spinal Conditions- Spondylitis & Spondylosis

 

Spondylitis and spondylosis are terms often used to describe inflammation or wear-and-tear changes in the spine. They can affect different parts of the back, including the neck (cervical spine) and the lower spine (lumbar region). The exact diagnosis can be complex, and many people experience symptoms that don’t fit perfectly into one definition.

 

 

Common Symptoms

 

• Stiffness in the neck or back

• Nerve pressure causing tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms/legs

• Shooting pains, especially when walking or bending

• Occasional ‘locking’ of the back, making movement difficult

• Fatigue due to constant pain and tension

• Pains and needles in the arms, hands, and fingers

• Sharp pains in the palms of the hands

 

 

Living With It

 

Day-to-day, spinal issues can feel unpredictable. Stiffness and nerve pain can appear suddenly, making ordinary tasks exhausting. For some, it’s the way pain radiates — down the legs or arms — that makes it hardest. For others, it’s the way the spine ‘locks,’ leaving them unable to move freely. “Sometimes the bottom of my back locks when I’m trying to walk. The shooting pain that follows makes me feel like my body’s shutting down on me.”

 

 

Research & Treatments

 

Doctors often group these conditions under terms like ‘degenerative disc disease’ or ‘arthritis of the spine.’ Treatments can include:

• Physiotherapy (gentle movement to maintain flexibility)

• Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication

• Injections to reduce nerve compression (in some cases)

• Lifestyle management (posture, pacing, supportive seating)

 

Ongoing research is looking into the overlap between spinal degeneration, autoimmune inflammation, and trauma responses in the body.

 

Support & Links

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• Versus Arthritis – Back and Spine https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/back-and-spine/

• NHS – Spondylosis – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-spondylosis/

• QuietPower TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@quietpoweruk

 

 

Disclaimer: This page is for support and awareness, not medical advice. Always speak to your GP or a qualified specialist about diagnosis and treatment