Facet Syndrome: Definition, Causes and Treatment Options

What is Facet Syndrome?

What are the Symptoms of Facet Syndrome?

What are the Causes of Facet Syndrome?

What are the Treatment Options for Facet Syndrome?

What is Facet Syndrome?

Facet joints are the small joints between each pair of vertebrae in the spine. The spine is constantly moving, and facets allow for twisting and bending within a healthy and safe range for your back and your body. The facets are naturally perfectly aligned to glide and rotate smoothly.

If the cartilage that lines the small facet bones wears down, friction between bones can cause stiffness, swelling and pain and tenderness. Bone spurs may also develop.

What are the Symptoms of Facet Syndrome?

Swelling, stiffness and pain from facet syndrome is usually felt in the neck or lower back, as these parts of the spine move much more than the middle back. Pain may be acute but occurrences are typically intermittent and unpredictable. Pain may be felt at different times of the day, or as a result of weather changes. Symptoms can be similar to those of sciatic pain, or pain from disc bulge or herniation. All this makes facet syndrome difficult for a doctor to diagnose.

Tenderness over the spot where the facet joint is. Some loss in muscle flexibility. Discomfort leaning backward, less discomfort leaning forward.

Low back pain from facet problems may radiate down into the buttocks and down the back of the upper leg.

Cervical pain from facet problems include headaches, and pain that radiates into the shoulders or upper back, and sometimes in the front or down an arm or into the fingers.

Other symptoms may include sound of bone rubbing on bone when moving. Abnormal curve of spine. More pain felt when standing for prolonged periods, or sitting or riding in car for extended periods.

Common Causes of Facet Syndrome:

Causes of facet joint pain include aging: cartilage may thin and dry out causing increased friction between bones. Acute injury or trauma to joints. Repetitive strain through sports or work that wears down joints prematurely. Being overweight puts stress on joints. Genetics: one may be predisposed to spinal joint problems.

Facet Syndrome Treatment Options:

Non-surgical spinal decompression at Back Clinics of Canada is highly effective in alleviating the pain of facet syndrome. Spinal decompression enables true healing of the affected area.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a component of the High Performance Healing System™, designed by Dr. Nusbaum for Back Clinics of Canada patients. Patients benefit from powerful, targeted healing. Treatment is safe, non-invasive, non-surgical, and highly effective.

Regardless of what caused facet syndrome in your body, the High Performance Healing System has proven time and time again that healing is possible and a pain-free life is attainable.

Contact Back Clinics of Canada today and schedule a consultation/examination with Dr. Nusbaum. Learn if you are a candidate for this program. And begin your path a pain-free life!