Widespread Back Stiffness | The Spinal Foundation

Symptoms of Widespread Back Stiffness

Gradual stiffness emerging in the neck & spreading down the back and involving the sacro-iliac angle (often mis-attributed to the sacro-iliac joint)
Stiffness affecting the cervical or lumbar spine
Stiffness of the spine & associated with muscle pain & spasm particularly paravertebral

Presentation	Diagnosis	Options
Neck / back stiff in the morning & other joints may be swollen stiff & sore	Ankylosing SpondylitisBlood tests and Chest excursion	Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory therapy & Muscle Balance Physiotherapy and mobilisation & treatment modulated by a Rheumatologist
	Ankylosing SpondylitisBlood tests and Chest excursion		Stiffness in the morning & during the day with local back pain	EnenthesesRheumatoid Arthritis, Collagen diseases	Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory therapy & Muscle Balance Physiotherapy and mobilisation & treatment modulated by a Rheumatologist or Chronic Pain Management & facet joint injections or nerve root ablation.
Morning stiffness extending through the day	Polymyalgia	Muscle Balance Physiotherapy but where symptoms are lumbar located Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression & Foraminoplasty may expose mis-diagnosis as to the diagnosis.