Back & Spine · Trenton, MI
Spondylolisthesis
Physical therapy for spondylolisthesis at Total Body Rehab — evaluation-driven, one-on-one care in Trenton, serving all of Downriver.
Spondylolisthesis means one vertebra has slipped forward relative to the one below it — from a stress fracture in young athletes, or degenerative change in older adults. Many slips are stable and respond very well to conservative care.
The goal of rehab is a trunk strong and controlled enough that the slip becomes irrelevant to your daily life.
Common signs & symptoms
- Low back pain that worsens with standing and arching
- Relief when sitting or bending forward
- Tight hamstrings
- Aching into the buttocks or thighs
- A sense of instability or "catching" in the low back
How physical therapy helps
Treatment emphasizes stability over stretching into extension: deep core and hip strengthening, motor-control work that teaches your trunk to resist shear, hamstring mobility, and activity modification for extension-heavy movements. Young athletes with stress-fracture slips get sport-specific return plans coordinated with their physician.
Treatments we use
- Core stabilization
- Hip strengthening
- Motor-control training
- Activity modification
- Sport-specific return programs
Frequently asked questions
Is my vertebra going to keep slipping?
Most slips — especially low-grade ones — are stable and don't progress. Your physician grades it on imaging; our job is building the strength that keeps you comfortable and confident.
Should I avoid arching my back forever?
Not forever. Early on we limit aggravating extension, but the long-term aim is a trunk that tolerates normal life — including extension — without symptoms.
Can my teenage athlete return to sports?
Usually yes, after appropriate healing time and a structured strengthening progression. We coordinate the timeline with your physician and build the return sport by sport.
This page is general education, not a diagnosis. For advice about your specific situation, schedule an evaluation or talk with your physician.