Clinical name: Facet joint osteoarthritis / spondylosis
Direct answer
Stiffness and aching in the back that builds gradually with age — often worse first thing in the morning and easing with movement — is commonly facet joint osteoarthritis (sometimes called spondylosis), age-related change in the small joints at the back of the spine. Like arthritis elsewhere in the body, it’s very manageable with the right movement and strengthening approach, and doesn’t necessarily progress to something more serious.
What this means
The facet joints are small joints on either side of each vertebra that guide the spine’s movement. “Spondylosis” describes age-related change in these joints and the discs together — it’s a normal part of how spines age, not a disease in the way it can sound, and its presence on a scan doesn’t reliably predict how much pain someone has.
Is this the same as osteoarthritis elsewhere in the body?
It’s the same underlying process as hip or knee osteoarthritis — change throughout the joint that the body is also actively adapting to and remodelling around, not simply one-way “wear and tear.” Most people have some degree of these changes by middle age, and many have no symptoms at all from them.
What are the typical symptoms?
A dull ache and stiffness localised to the lower back, worse after rest or first thing in the morning, easing with gentle movement, and sometimes worse with extension movements (arching backward) or prolonged standing.
What tends to aggravate it, and what helps ease it?
Prolonged inactivity, sudden increases in load, and repeated end-range extension movements can aggravate symptoms. Regular movement, general strengthening — particularly through the trunk and hips — and staying active rather than protecting the back from all loading tend to keep symptoms more manageable over the long term.
Does this mean my spine is wearing out?
Not in the way it sounds. These changes are extremely common with age and are frequently found on scans of people with no back pain at all — the correlation between what a scan shows and how much someone hurts is genuinely weak. The right movement and strengthening program can meaningfully improve symptoms even though the underlying joint changes remain.
How is it managed?
A tailored strengthening and movement program, addressing any specific aggravating patterns identified on assessment, and pacing activity are the mainstays — the same core principles that help facet-related stiffness anywhere in the spine.
Who’s behind this advice
Reviewed by: Core Healthcare Banyo 2026
Clinic services: Assessment and diagnosis of back pain and related symptoms (including leg, buttock and pelvic pain); manual therapy; individualised treatment and management planning based on your assessment findings; Pilates-based rehab classes, strengthening and exercise rehabilitation, including musculoskeletal and sports rehab; posture and workstation advice; women’s health physiotherapy for pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain.
Related reading
• Disc degeneration — should I be worried?
• Will core strengthening actually help my back pain?
• My back pain is worse with rest and better with movement — what does that mean?
Next step
Back pain that’s left to “settle on its own” often takes longer to resolve and comes back more easily than back pain that gets an early, targeted assessment. A proper assessment identifies exactly what’s driving your symptoms and gets you started on a specific plan — not just advice to rest and see how it goes. Book a back assessment with a physiotherapist at any of Core Healthcare’s seven clinics across Brisbane, Logan, the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, or ask your physio about this at your next session.