How Chiropractic Helps Relieve Pain From Facet Syndrome
Back pain comes in many forms and there are many different causes. One of the most common types of back pain involve facet syndrome. Facet syndrome is any type of injury or dysfunction to the facet joints in the spine.
The spine is made up of several vertebrae and the facet joints play an important role in stabilizing the spine and allowing movement. When these joints become injured in some way, it can result in considerable pain and disability. Since there are facet joints throughout most of the spine, this is a condition that can affect the neck, upper back and the lower back.
Facet joint syndrome can have many causes. It can be the result of repetitive or prolonged stress, traumatic injury or degeneration. One of the most common causes of facet syndrome is osteoarthritis at the affected joint.
While facet syndrome is a chronic condition, the symptoms tend to be somewhat episodic. Generally, the individual will have intermittent pain at the joint maybe a few times per month with a persistent feeling of tenderness over the area of the back that is affected. Usually, there will also be some level of discomfort associated with bending or twisting at that level of the spine. During an episode, it is also common for the pain to radiate out from the joint. A person that has lumbar facet syndrome is likely to feel pain that radiates down into the buttocks and possible the back of the legs. A person that has cervical facet syndrome may feel pain that radiates into the upper back and the shoulders.
Since chiropractors specialize in disorders of the musculoskeletal system and more specifically the spine, they can offer some of the most effective treatment options for facet syndrome. One of the common problems with facet syndrome is misalignment to the vertebrae above and below the joint. This misalignment can put excessive pressure on the facet joint, and this will result in pain and mobility issues. By restoring the proper alignment with chiropractic adjustments, this pressure can be relieved. This approach to treatment can relieve the pain associated with facet syndrome and help the patient to heal.
Along with spinal manipulation, a chiropractor is likely to employ different treatment options that can help to restore proper function to joint and the proper form to the spine. A treatment option like massage can be good for managing the pain that comes with facet syndrome. In addition to that, your chiropractor is likely to recommend different exercises that can help to relieve the pain and pressure associated with this condition.
It is important to note that facet syndrome can often be confused with other types of back pain. When the pain is at its peak, it can resemble other conditions like herniated disk, muscle injury/inflammation and minor fractures. For this reason, your chiropractor will need to perform a full examination to diagnose the conditions as facet syndrome. While these conditions may present many of the same symptoms, a chiropractors approach to treatment will vary depending on the diagnosis.