Seems like I’m getting a stiff low back as I get older. I thought staying active would prevent this from happening. Should I try some other type of activity? I hunt, fish, golf, and swim at least three to five times a week.

The concept of stiffness is one that has puzzled scientists for many years. Increasing age does seem to be a key factor. Likewise, as you suspected, activity does help.

Stiffness can be a sign of an underlying disease process such as osteoarthritis (OA). If you wake up in the morning and your joints feel good (or better than the night before) but start to hurt as you move about, you may have OA.

But there are many possible causes for joint pain and stiffness. A medical exam is needed to sort this all out. Your doctor will be able to examine you for mechanical stiffness.

For example, a test called the PA maneuver may be used. The patient lies down on an examining table in the prone position (face down). The examiner places the base of his or her fist against each individual spinal segment. A force is applied in the posterior-anterior (front to back) direction.

Perceived movement of the spine at the test level is classified as normal, hypomobile (loss of motion), or hypermobile (increased motion). Such a test is easy to perform and doesn’t cost more than the office visit. If a problem is observed, then a dynamic MRI may be useful in measuring actual motion or mobility of the spine.

If it’s a simple matter of stiffness (loss of motion between the vertebrae), then a prescribed program of specific exercises might be needed.

Treatment is based on the underlying cause of the problem. Stiffness that comes with the aging process may respond best to motion that occurs during yoga or Tai chi. Keep up your other activities but consider adding one of these other types of movement. The slow, fluid repeated actions seem to really help many adults who notice stiffness developing.