There are numerous treatments for facet joint disease or syndrome. According to the Cleveland Clinic--one of the top four hospitals in the U.S.--facet joint syndrome refers to pain in the spinal facet joints--paired joints located at the back of a vertebra that permit spinal movement. Common symptoms associated with facet joint syndrome include back or neck pain and tenderness, headaches and stiffness with certain movements. Facet joint syndrome may be caused by irritation of the nerves that supply the facet joints, among other causes.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for facet joint disease or syndrome. According to Dr. Michael Carnes, a chiropractic physician and the author of "Quick Reference Conservative Care Conditions Manual," facet joint syndrome involves irritation or damage to the facet or zygapophyseal joints of the spine, and is thought to be the cause of 15 to 40 percent of all low back pain cases. Carnes states that chiropractic care for facet joint syndrome may include the following treatments: hydrotherapy, activity modification, osseous manipulation or spinal adjusting, soft tissue massage, trigger point therapy, traction, electrotherapy modalities such as transcutaneous nerve stimulation or TENS, interferential current or IFC and ultrasound, passive and active range of motion exercises, bromelain or other protease enzymes to help reduce inflammation or NSAIDs for pain control. The beneficial effects of chiropractic care for facet joint syndrome typically may be seen within the first few visits to the chiropractor.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for facet joint disease or syndrome. The Spine Health website states that the successful long-term management of facet joint syndrome involves proper exercises prescribed by a physical therapist who can demonstrate correct exercise technique and make minor adjustments to a person's form. Postural training is also important for the long-term resolution of facet joint syndrome-related pain or discomfort. According to the Spine Health website, good posture involves maintaining a healthy and normal spinal curvature when performing activities or when standing and supporting the low back when transitioning from one position to another, such as moving from lying to a sitting or standing position. The Spine Health website also notes that a neutral pelvis posture--a posture in which the pelvis is held in a neutral position, not tilted too far forward or backward--can be a helpful posture for facet joint syndrome-related pain or discomfort when standing or sitting.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy can be an effective treatment for facet joint disease or syndrome. According to Dr. Ross Hauser at the Prolo News website, a person with facet joint syndrome will usually have localized pain over the involved facet when they bend to the same side, and that the conventional biomedical approach to facet joint syndrome involves steroid injections to the affected area. Hauser notes that steroid injections cause only temporary pain reduction, and that long-term studies have linked steroids with tissue weakening. He suggests that prolotherapy--the injection of a non-pharmacological irritant solution or proliferant into facet structures--is a more effective option for a person with facet joint syndrome. Prolotherapy.org states that the injected solution leads to localized inflammation in the involved area, which triggers a wound healing cascade. Hauser adds that prolotherapy to the facet joints, their surrounding ligaments and other nearby structures causes the affected areas to strengthen, which in turn decreases pressure on the facets.
