As Chiropractors, facet joint pain is one of the more common things we see, it can sometimes be severe and acute (recent), or it can also be chronic (long standing). Facet joint pain is also often recurrent in nature, where the sufferer might get sudden bouts of severe unexplained back or neck pain every few months or weeks.

Anatomy -what are the facet joints?

The facet joints are small joints that are located towards the back of the spine. We have two facet joints between each vertebra, one on each side, and they help the spine articulate and move. They also from an important stabilising and protective structure in the spine, which encases the spinal cord.

Picture showing the anatomy of the facet joints in the lumbar spine (the lower back), irritation in these joints can cause facet joint pain.

Facet joint pain can occur anywhere in the spine, as these important joints are between each vertebra from the top of the neck to the base of the lower back. Most commonly, we see this issue in the lower back and neck, but it can also present in the mid-back.

Onset of facet joint pain can be sudden and severe or present more gradually. The pain may be felt centrally in the spine or slightly off to one side. Facet joint pain can also sometimes refer (be felt in areas, other than where it originates). For example; pain in the facet joints of the lower back can sometimes send pain down one or both legs, mimicking nerve pain.

How do i know if I have facet joint pain?

We diagnose facet joint pain first by taking your history so we can find out how your problem started, what hurts or relieves the pain, as well as any other associated symptoms. Then we perform a physical examination, which will include orthopaedic tests designed to move the facet joints and other structures. Our aim is to see what does or doesn’t reproduce your symptoms. We will also feel your spine to see if we can find any restriction, or reproduce pain with touching various joints and muscles.

The history and the examination help us to piece together the puzzle, and form a diagnosis to describe what spinal structures are involved with your complaint.

Treatment for facet joint pain

Treatment techniques for facet joint pain may include spinal manipulative therapy (often called an adjustment). This treatment stretches the involved facet joint/s resulting in a crack. The crack is the sound the joint makes when quickly stretched, and although it looks aggressive, the process is specific, well controlled and not usually painful. The aim of this manipulation is to improve segmental mobility and reduce pain. Matt demonstrates a facet joint adjustment in the videos.

Spinal manipulative therapy can be an extremely effective treatment for facet joint pain, but there are lots of other treatment techniques we may choose to use alongside or instead. Types of treatment depends on the problem as well as the patient, and we will aim to choose what we think will work best for the individual.

Other treatments

The picture below shows Matt demonstrating a treatment technique called flexion distraction. This technique can be useful for carefully and gently stretching the facet joints.

York Chiropractor, Matt Pisarski demonstrating a technique called Flexion-distraction

Treatment frequency and the length of time for recovery will depend on the history of the complaint. Long standing problems often tend to take longer to improve, whereas recent acute issues tend to improve more quickly. Very chronic facet joint issues that have been constant or recurring for years, usually also respond well to chiropractic treatment, improving significantly. But sometimes these longer standing issues may not have full resolution. In this case, patients often find it helpful to return every now and then for a maintenance treatment. Maintenance treatments aim to help control any ongoing or recurring symptoms at a lower level.

Contact us

If you’re still not sure, please feel free to get in touch by our contact us page Contact us – Acomb Chiropractic Clinic. Or call us on 01904 798444 and we would be happy to have a chat with you.

Visit our instagram page for up to date feed Instagram