SPONDYLOSIS

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Many people in Singapore notice increasing neck or back stiffness as they get older — especially after long hours at a desk, extended screen time, or years of daily strain. This discomfort is often linked to spondylosis, commonly known as spinal osteoarthritis.

Spondylosis develops gradually as part of the natural ageing process. Over time, spinal discs lose cushioning, joints become less flexible, and small bone spurs may form along the spine. These changes are common and often painless, but in some people they can irritate nearby joints or nerves, leading to persistent neck pain or back pain that affects daily activities, work focus, and sleep quality.

At Singapore Paincare, treatment focuses on identifying the true source of pain associated with spondylosis — not just age-related changes seen on scans. Using precise, minimally invasive approaches, our goal is to relieve pain, restore movement, and help patients return to daily life with greater comfort and confidence.

Neck Lower Back Spondylosis

What Are the Types of Spondylosis?

Cervical Spondylosis

Affects your neck region. You might experience neck stiffness, pain that spreads to your shoulders or arms, or headaches that start at the base of your skull. This is particularly common among people in Singapore who spend long hours at desks or looking at screens.

Thoracic Spondylosis

Affects the upper and middle part of your spine. You might feel pain or stiffness in your upper back, though this type is less common than cervical or lumbar spondylosis.

Lumbar Spondylosis

Affects your lower back. You might experience lower back pain, stiffness when standing up after sitting, or discomfort that radiates into your hips or legs. This can make activities like walking, bending, or carrying items more challenging.

What Are the Symptoms of Spondylosis?

Spondylosis symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, daily limitations. If your pain persists, worsens, or comes with numbness or weakness in your limbs, it's best to have it assessed by a spondylosis specialist.

  • Pain and Stiffness: Stiffness and mild pain that can worsen with movement or after being stationary for a long time. 
  • Difficulty in Walking: Severe symptoms that may include weakness in the legs and loss of balance. 
  • Other Severe Symptoms: Headaches, muscle spasms, grinding or popping feeling when moving the spine, and loss of bladder or bowel control. 

What Are the Treatment Options for Spondylosis in Singapore?

Conservative Treatments

If your spondylosis is mild or moderate, you may benefit from conservative treatments, including:

  • Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises, resistance training, and stretching can help reduce pain, increase joint motion, and reduce muscle loss to better support your spine. However, the intensity and type of exercise is tailored to your condition.
  • Spinal Bracing: Tools like soft back supports (lumbar corsets) can temporarily stabilize your spine, help prevent aggravation during activities, and improve your posture throughout the day—particularly helpful during Singapore’s long work hours.
  • Pharmacological Treatment: Prescriptions of varying medications such as NSAIDs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. These drugs may help to relieve pain.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If your symptoms do not improve or continue to interfere with movement, minimally invasive treatments can target the real source of pain without the need for open surgery. At Singapore Paincare, we offer precise procedures designed to relieve pain at its origin.

Radiofrequency Ablation 

A key treatment for painful facet joint arthritis associated with spondylosis. RFA uses radiofrequency waves to create controlled heat that stops the targeted nerve from sending pain signals from the joint, reducing hypersensitivity in the spine and providing long-lasting pain control. Local anesthesia and steroids are often given concurrently to reduce pain and inflammation, accelerating healing.

Surgical Treatment

Surgery is usually considered only in more serious situations — such as when a pinched nerve causes severe numbness, progressive weakness, or problems with bowel or bladder control, and when these symptoms are likely to worsen without intervention.

During surgery, the goal is to relieve pressure on the affected nerves. This may involve removing the disc or bone that is causing compression. In some cases, the spine may be stabilised by fusing nearby vertebrae, or the damaged disc may be replaced with an artificial one. These procedures are carefully considered due to their longer recovery time and higher risks compared to non-surgical treatments.

How Singapore Paincare Treats Spondylosis? 

At Singapore Paincare, our pain specialists use the proprietary Painostic® method, developed from years of clinical experience in managing degenerative spine conditions such as cervical and lumbar spondylosis. This in-house approach goes beyond standard imaging or symptom-based assessment to identify the real pain generator—whether it arises from degenerating discs, facet joints, spinal nerves, or surrounding soft tissues—and to map a treatment pathway tailored to your condition and stage of degeneration.

We focus on the least invasive options first, including targeted injections and minimally invasive procedures aimed at reducing inflammation, nerve irritation, and mechanical stress caused by spondylosis. These treatments are often supported by medication and physical or cognitive rehabilitation to restore movement, posture, and spinal stability. Even in complex or persistent cases, this integrated approach helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of recurrence.

How to Prevent Spondylosis?

While you can't stop aging or completely avoid spondylosis, these practices can help keep your spine healthy and reduce your risk of painful symptoms: 

  • Get plenty of rest and prioritize quality sleep with proper pillow and mattress support 
  • Exercise regularly to maintain flexibility and strengthen the muscles that support your spine 
  • Maintain good posture throughout the day, especially during long hours at your desk or using devices 
  • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your spine 
  • Take regular breaks to move and stretch, preventing stiffness from prolonged sitting 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Spondylosis is common and often not serious. Pain usually comes from related joint or nerve irritation, not degeneration alone.

Spondylosis cannot be reversed, as it is part of the natural ageing process. However, pain related to spondylosis can be effectively treated and controlled. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, improve movement, and help you stay active and comfortable.

In people with spondylosis, pain often comes from conditions linked to spinal degeneration, such as irritated nerves, inflamed joints, or disc problems. Identifying the true source of pain is key to effective treatment. 

No. Most people with spondylosis do not need surgery. The majority improve with non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments. Surgery is considered only in rare cases, such as when severe nerve compression causes worsening weakness or bowel or bladder problems.

Yes. With appropriate treatment and guidance, many people with spondylosis are able to return to normal daily activities. The aim is to manage pain safely and help you move comfortably and confidently.

A Message About Spondylosis from Our Pain Specialist 

Spondylosis is often painless. In many people, the discomfort they experience does not come directly from spinal wear and tear, but from related issues such as nerve compression, disc-related pain, facet joint arthritis, or spinal instability.

This is why treatment focuses on identifying and addressing the true source of pain, rather than the degeneration alone. When the underlying pain condition is treated accurately, symptoms can improve significantly — even though age-related changes in the spine remain.

It's important to understand that treatment does not reverse spondylosis or spinal degeneration. Instead, the goal is to control pain, restore movement, and improve daily comfort, so you can continue living actively and confidently.

Spondylosis is also commonly associated with other spinal conditions such as scoliosis, bone spur (osteophyte) formation, vertebral fractures, or spondylolisthesis. When these conditions contribute to pain, they may require additional or more specialised treatment approaches to achieve effective relief.

At Singapore Paincare, our Painostic® method goes beyond treating symptoms alone. We take time to identify the real source of your discomfort and build an individualised, minimally invasive treatment plan — helping you move more comfortably and regain confidence in daily life.