Column Spondylolisthesis and Daily Life

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12.12.2025

What is Spondylolisthesis?

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a condition where a vertebra in the lumbar spine (lower back) shifts out of its normal alignment.

Symptoms of Spondylolisthesis

When a vertebra slips, the spinal canal, through which the spinal nerves pass, becomes narrowed. This leads to low back pain, buttock pain, and pain or numbness in the lower limbs.

A typical symptom of spondylolisthesis is intermittent claudication. During walking, pain or numbness develops in the buttocks, thighs, or calves, making it difficult to continue walking. After resting for a short time, walking becomes possible again.

If the slipped vertebra compresses the nerve roots, additional symptoms may occur, such as sciatica (pain radiating from the buttock down to the foot) or ankle dorsiflexion impairment, a condition in which lifting the toes upward becomes difficult due to restricted ankle movement.

Daily Life Recommendations for People with Spondylolisthesis

Once diagnosed with lumbar spondylolisthesis, the priority in daily life is preventing symptoms from worsening.

What People with Spondylolisthesis Should Be Mindful Of

◎　Proper Posture

Maintain correct posture while standing, sitting, and walking. Keeping your back straight and tilting the pelvis slightly forward often helps reduce discomfort.

◎ Using a Cushion

When sitting on a chair, placing a cushion between your lower back and the backrest can provide support.

When sleeping, placing a cushion under the knees may help alleviate symptoms.

◎ Moderate Exercise

Low-impact activities such as walking and swimming are recommended, as they place minimal stress on the lower back.

Stretching can also reduce strain on the lumbar spine and help relieve pain associated with spondylolisthesis. It is essential to perform stretches correctly. Improper stretching can increase stress on the lower back and may worsen symptoms.

◎ Nutrition and Weight Management

Weight gain increases stress on the spine and can exacerbate spondylolisthesis. Conversely, excessive weight loss due to extreme dieting may weaken bones, making vertebral slippage more likely.

A well-balanced diet (rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D) is essential for preventing spondylolisthesis and avoiding symptom progression.

◎ Managing Stress

Adequate rest and proper stress management are also crucial for maintaining spinal health.

What People with Spondylolisthesis Should Avoid at All Cost

× Arching or Twisting the Lower Back

Movements that involve bending backward or twisting the lower back place significant strain on the spine and should be avoided.

Be particularly cautious during stretching or exercise not to include excessive extension or twisting motions.

× Staying in the same Posture for Long Periods

Avoid sitting for long periods, especially during desk work.

It is recommended to stand up and perform light stretching at least once every hour.

× Lifting or Carrying Heavy Loads

Lifting or carrying heavy items places substantial stress on the lower back. In individuals with spondylolisthesis, such actions can accelerate bone and joint degeneration and worsen symptoms.

× Strenuous Exercise

Continuing intense sports activities while the spine is unstable due to spondylolisthesis can further accelerate degeneration and aggravate pain and numbness.

Sports that involve high impact or twisting of the lower back—such as soccer, basketball, and tennis—should be avoided.

× Sleeping on the Stomach (in the Prone Position)

Sleeping face down causes excessive lumbar extension. This sleeping position is not recommended for individuals with spondylolisthesis.

Our Clinic’s Treatments

Because spondylolisthesis rarely heals spontaneously, improving one’s daily habits is key to preventing symptom recurrence.

Receiving appropriate treatment is also essential.

The Cellgel Method

Recent research suggests that intervertebral disc degeneration is a contributing factor to spondylolisthesis. (*1)

For this reason, we believe that preventing slippage requires addressing degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc. At our clinic, we perform the Cellgel Method for spondylolisthesis caused by disc degeneration.

This method involves injecting a specialized agent into the disc fissure, which then turns into a gel and repairs the crack, providing fundamental treatment. A key feature is that the disc volume is preserved, as the agent remains in the disc as a gel-like implant after treatment.

Since the Cellgel Method is a non-incisional treatment, unlike conventional surgery, it carries fewer post-operative risks.

Clich here for more information about the Cellgel Method

(*1) : I. Akkawi, H. Zmerly. Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Narrative Review. Acta Biomedica, vol. 92, No.6, 2021.

The Florence Method / The Q-Florence Method

The Florence Method and Q-Florence Method are low-risk, minimally invasive treatments.

A device is percutaneously inserted under local anesthesia and sedation to widen the narrowed spinal canal.

By inserting the device, the procedure aims to stabilize the vertebral body while maintaining spinal rotation and flexion, widen the spinal canal, suppress disc protrusion, and reduce ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (thickening). The widening of the narrowed spinal canal leads to pain relief.