How Corrective Chiropractic Helps With Low Back Arthritis

Introduction

Living in Toronto means long commutes, long workdays, and—especially on Bay Street—long hours sitting at a desk. For many people I see at Dr. Mateusz Krekora Chiropractic Clinic, those habits eventually show up as low back arthritis on an x-ray and feeling stiffness, achiness, and difficulty bending or getting out of a chair.

If you’ve been wondering whether a Toronto chiropractor can help you manage low back arthritis naturally, the answer is: yes—when treatment focuses on restoring motion and correcting the root structural issues.

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The Problem: What Low Back Arthritis Really Is

Low back arthritis, often called lumbar facet osteoarthritis, involves wear and irritation in the small joints of your spine.

According to the Canadian Chiropractic Association, spinal degeneration can accelerate when the joints lose normal movement or become overloaded due to poor posture or muscular imbalance (CCA – Low Back Pain).

Common symptoms include:

• Morning stiffness
• Achy or sharp pain with standing or extension
• Reduced mobility
• Muscle tightness around the low back and hips

Arthritis itself isn’t something we “cure,” but we can dramatically reduce how much you feel it by improving how the spine moves and how surrounding muscles function.

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Expert Insight: Dr. Mateusz’s Perspective

In my Toronto clinic, I consistently see a pattern among patients with low back arthritis:

1. The lumbar joints aren’t moving enough, often because of years of sitting, poor posture, or compensating for old injuries.
2. The glutes—your main stabilizers—aren’t activating properly, forcing the small joints of your low back to take on too much load.

When the lumbar spine becomes stiff, the joints compress and shear instead of gliding smoothly. Research in the Spine Journal suggests that reduced lumbar mobility increases facet joint stress, contributing to arthritic irritation (Spine Journal – Lumbar Mobility & Facet Load).

And when the glutes don’t do their job, the low back overworks—something supported by findings from the Ontario Chiropractic Association on the role of muscular balance in spinal stress (OCA – Back Pain Resources).

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How Corrective Chiropractic Addresses Low Back Arthritis

1. Restoring Motion in Lumbar Joints

In NeuroStructural Corrective Care, the first step is always to identify where the spine has lost motion. Using gentle, targeted chiropractic adjustments, we restore that lost mobility in the lumbar segments.

Why this matters:

• Proper motion reduces mechanical stress on arthritic joints
• It improves joint nutrition through something called synovial pumping
• It boosts mobility, making daily movements easier and less painful

The Canadian Chiropractic Association notes that restoring spinal movement can reduce pain and improve function in degenerative conditions (CCA – Spinal Health).

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2. Improving Glute Activation

Most people in Toronto spend hours sitting—whether on the TTC, at school, at work, or studying. Sitting turns off the glutes, and weak glutes mean the low back does the heavy lifting.

Through corrective movement strategies and activation drills, we help re-train:

• Gluteus medius (hip stability)
• Gluteus maximus (lifting, walking, standing)
• Deep hip rotators (postural support)

When the glutes fire properly, they offload the lumbar joints, reducing irritation and improving spinal mechanics. Several studies in Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy link glute weakness to increased low back loading and pain (JOSPT – Glute Function & Low Back Pain).

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3. Correcting Posture & Movement Patterns

Whether you walk the PATH system, sit at a desk near Union Station, or carry a backpack around Toronto schools, small daily habits add up.

Corrective chiropractic includes:

• Posture retraining, Ergonomic analysis
• Mobility drills
• Functional movement cues (e.g., how to bend, pick up objects, sit, stand)

These changes reduce repetitive strain on arthritic joints.

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4. NeuroFunctional Acupuncture (When Needed)

For some patients, pairing chiropractic with NeuroFunctional Acupuncture helps:

• Reduce inflammation around the spine
• Relax tight lumbar and hip muscles
• Improve nerve signaling to the glutes

Evidence from Canadian integrative health resources suggests acupuncture can reduce chronic low back pain when combined with manual therapy (Government of Canada – Complementary Health).

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Local Tips for Recovery & Maintenance in Toronto

To support your spine between visits, here are simple, safe practices you can use across the city:

1. Use Walking Opportunities

Walk the Don Valley Trail, the Waterfront, or even short PATH routes. Motion is essential for arthritic joints.

2. Desk Setup Matters

Whether you’re doing homework or working downtown, make sure your screen is at eye level and your hips sit slightly above your knees.

3. Do “Glute Wake-Ups” Daily

• Bridge with a pause
• Side-lying leg lifts
• Mini bands around the knees

These exercises help maintain the stability you gain during treatment.

4. Avoid Staying in One Position Too Long

Set a timer every 45 minutes to stand, stretch, or move—especially if you’re studying or working from home.

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Conclusion & CTA

Low back arthritis doesn’t have to dictate how you move, work, or live. By restoring lumbar joint motion and improving glute activation, Corrective Chiropractic helps reduce the symptoms you feel and gives your spine the support it’s been missing.

If you’re ready to get lasting relief—and start feeling 25 again—book your free 20-minute case review below.

👉 Book Your Free Case Review

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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a licensed chiropractor before starting any treatment.

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