Spondylosis: Spondylosis is stiffening of the spine (vertebrae) as the result of a disease. It is often called osteoarthritis. It refers to degenerative changes such as bone spurs and degenerating intervertebral discs. Cause is usually age related. Symptoms include back or neck pain, tenderness, muscle spasm, numbness, tingling, or sciatica (low back pain with pain down one leg). Treatments target the pain and include medications, self-care, exercise and physical therapy, adjunctive therapies (chiropractic and acupuncture), injections, and surgery.