08/17/2025
One reason your back pain isn’t going away?
It could be spondylolisthesis — when one vertebra edges forward over the one below it.
This usually happens because of a defect in a small part of the bone called the pars interarticularis. That defect can develop from:
Naturally thinner bones 🦴
Repetitive activities that overextend the spine (think certain sports or movements)
Most cases show up in the low back just above the tailbone. Sometimes, people don’t even know they have it until an X-ray finds it by accident. But when symptoms do show up, they can include:
Lower back pain
Muscle spasms and stiffness
Trouble standing or walking
Tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs (in more severe cases)
We grade it based on how far the vertebra has slipped forward. Once it’s over 50%, pain and dysfunction are more likely — and higher grades can press on nerve roots, causing even more symptoms.
✅ Treatment:
In acute cases, a back brace might help
Most cases respond best to core and lower back strengthening to support your spine and keep you active
Surgery (like spinal fusion) is a last resort if nothing else works
💡 If you’ve been dealing with stubborn back pain, stiffness, or nerve symptoms, it’s worth getting checked.
📅 Book with one of our practitioners today so we can assess, guide your recovery, and get you moving without pain.
