Spinal Arthritis Care in Calgary
Spinal arthritis is one of the most common findings seen on spinal imaging, especially as people age. While hearing terms like degenerative disc disease or degenerative joint disease can sound alarming, imaging findings alone do not always reflect how someone feels or functions.
New Patients
At Active Back to Health, we focus on understanding how spinal changes may be affecting your movement, comfort, and day-to-day activities rather than treating imaging results in isolation.
What Spinal Arthritis Involves
Spinal arthritis is a broad term that may include changes affecting the discs, joints, and surrounding structures of the spine. Over time, discs may lose hydration and joint surfaces may experience wear, which can contribute to stiffness, reduced mobility, and recurring discomfort.
In some cases, the body also forms bone spurs as part of the natural ageing process. These changes are common, but symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
Why Active People May Notice Symptoms Earlier
Repetitive impact, rotational loading, and years of physical activity may place additional stress on spinal joints and discs. Athletes and highly active individuals sometimes notice flare-ups earlier because their bodies are regularly exposed to higher physical demands.
Symptoms often build gradually over time and may include:
- Recurring low back pain or stiffness
- Pain that worsens with activity or prolonged rest
- Reduced spinal mobility
- Discomfort during twisting, bending, or impact movements
When to Seek Care
If spinal stiffness or recurring pain is affecting your activity levels, work, or quality of life, a detailed assessment may help identify contributing movement or structural factors. Many people benefit from proactive management strategies aimed at supporting spinal mechanics and helping them stay active long term.
Helping a Competitive Athlete Stay Active
We recently worked with a 31-year-old competitive squash player experiencing recurring low back pain that was beginning to affect performance on the court. Imaging showed early degenerative spinal changes consistent with the repetitive impact and rotational demands of the sport.
His assessment included health history review, functional movement testing, orthopedic and neurological evaluation, posture screening, and nerve scanning.
The patient’s 12-week care plan progressed through multiple phases. Initial care focused on reducing pain and muscle tension through acupuncture and massage therapy. Chiropractic care was then used to improve spinal mobility, while physiotherapy introduced core strengthening and sport-specific rehabilitation.
As his symptoms improved, treatment shifted toward preparing him for a safe return to competitive squash. He experienced significant improvements in both comfort and function and continues with maintenance care to help manage symptoms and remain active.
What Care May Include at Active Back to Health
Assessment at our practice looks beyond imaging findings alone. We evaluate how spinal changes may be influencing movement, posture, nervous system function, and overall mobility.
Depending on your needs, care may include chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage therapy, acupuncture, and movement-based rehabilitation designed to improve spinal mechanics and support long-term activity.
For some patients, ongoing care after the active phase may also help reduce recurring flare-ups.
Maintaining Comfort and Mobility Long Term
Spinal arthritis does not automatically mean giving up the activities you enjoy. With a proactive approach and a care plan tailored to your goals, many people continue working, training, and staying active comfortably for years.
Contact us today to schedule your initial examination.
