Column At What Time of The Day Does The Pain Caused by Spondylolisthesis Gets Worse? The Various Characteristics of The Symptoms and Methods for Relief

schedule

07.18.2025

What is spondylolisthesis ?

Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a condition in which the vertebra have shifted from their normal position in the lower back area.

There are two types of spondylolisthesis: anterolisthesis, in which the bone slips forward, and retrolisthesis, in which the bone slips backward.

Characteristics of the symptoms for spondylolisthesis

The main symptoms of lumbar spondylolisthesis are back pain and pain in the buttocks and lower legs. Nerve compression can also cause numbness and sensory disturbances.

The pain often occurs when standing up or walking. This is because the vertebrae have shifted and the spine has lost its stability. However, one of the characterics of the pain is that it is alleviated by slight movements.

Pain tends to increase with prolonged standing or prolonged sitting. When standing, the weight is placed on the lumbar spine and the spondylolisthesis tends to aggravate. When sitting for long periods of time, the S-curve of the spine also tends to bend out of shape, compressing the nerves.

The time of the day when the pain of spondylolisthesis gets worse

The symptoms of spondylolisthesis tend to be more intense in the morning and at night.

Because body movements are reduced during sleep, muscles and joints are more likely to be stiff in the morning, thus aggravating the back pain. At night, the pain is also more intense due to the continued strain on the lower back caused by daytime activities.

The relationship between spondylolisthesis pain and nerve compression

When vertebrae slip, nerves are compressed and become irritated. This in turn causes inflammation. Inflammation then causes the release of substances in charge of pain detection, which enhances the feeling of pain.

Stretches that relieve the pain

Here are some simple stretches that can help relieve the pain of spondylolisthesis.

Stretch for the lumbar spine and surrounding muscles

This stretch stretches the latissimus dorsi muscle from the back to the lower back and the gluteus maximus muscle from the lower back to the buttocks.

This stretch keeps the lumbar spine flexible and helps reduce the strain on the lower back.

1. Lie down with your back on the floor.

2. Bend both knees, hold them with your arms, then slowly pull them toward your chest.

3. Hold for 20 to 30 seconds.

Do this 3 times a day.

Stretch for the back muscles

The back muscles are attached to the vertebrae that are connected to one another, so when the back muscles are strained, the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, putting extra strain on the lower back.

The following stretch will lengthen the back muscles and reduce the strain on the lower back.

1. Sit on a chair.

2. Join your hands in front of your body and thrust them forward.

3. Round the waist with the mental image of creating a round space between the outstretched hands and the stomach, and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.

4. Return to the original position.

Stretch for the iliopsoas muscle

The iliopsoas muscle is the muscle that connects the trunk to the lower limbs. Many of its stretches usually involve bending over at the waist, but for people with spondylolisthesis, bending over at the waist is ruled out.

We recommend stretching the iliopsoas muscle using a chair.

1. First, prepare a chair that is at a height where the entirety of the feet touches the floor when sitting, and sit in a position where one foot is projecting half outward and the buttock is also half outward.

2. Pull the projecting leg towards the back.

3. Check that the stretch is effectively pulling around the base of the foot, and hold for 10 seconds.

　* Keep your toes up while performing this.

Aim to do this 3 times each side every morning.

Stretch for the front of the thighs

The muscles in the front of the thighs extend from the pelvis to the knees. When these muscles are strained, the pelvis tilts forward and arches the lower back by pulling back.

Let’s stretch the muscles on the front of the thighs to reduce the strain on the lower back.

1. Lie on the floor with your body sideways.

2. Hold the ankle which is on the upper side with the the upper sideh and and pull the heel towards the buttock.

　* Be careful not to turn your lower back when performing this movement.

3. When you start feeling a stretch in the muscles on the front side of the thigh, hold for 30 seconds while breathing deeply.

4. Do the same on the opposite side.

Perform this movement 3 times a day.

Precautions to take when performing the above stretches

Be careful to stretch correctly, as failing to do so may aggravate the symptoms instead.

As a general rule, avoid stretches that involve bending over at the waist, lying on the floor with both hands or elbows on the floor to raise the body, twisting at the waist, and stretches that involve placing a ball on one’s waist, as these can place a heavy strain on the lower back.

The treatments at our clinics: the Florence Method and Q-Florence Method

The Florence Method and Q-Florence Method are performed to treat spinal canal stenosis.

The Florence and Q-Florence methods are minimally invasive, low-risk treatments for spinal canal stenosis.

Under partial anesthesia and sedation, a device is percutaneously inserted to widen the stenosed spinal canal.

The device is inserted to stabilize the vertebral body while preserving vertebral rotation and flexion, widening the spinal canal and reducing disc protrusion and ligamentum flavum thickening. Pain is eliminated by widening the narrowed spinal canal.

The Florence and Q-Florence methods are minimally invasive and low-risk procedures, and there have been no reports of post-treatment complications or recurrence of symptoms to date.