Facet joint pain can make leaning back, twisting or standing up straight sore and stiff. We find the cause and help your spine move comfortably again.
Facet joints sit on either side of each vertebra, where the bones of your spine link together
Facet joint syndrome is pain coming directly from these joints. When they work well, they move freely and help control and limit how your spine moves.
Common causes include:
- A sudden blow, for example during sport or a car accident
- Sudden, excessive movements
- Wear and tear within the joint
- A nerve being pinched within the joint
Leaning backwards or bending towards the painful side usually makes it worse.
Treatment for facet joint syndrome
A thorough examination of your lower back confirms the diagnosis. We then build a treatment plan around you.
Physiotherapy targets the underlying cause of your pain, to ease pain and stiffness and get you moving freely.
Your treatment at Recover Physio may include:
- Soft tissue massage
- Joint mobilisation and manipulative treatment techniques
- Exercises to improve your posture
- Targeted stretches for your back and pelvis
- Heat therapy
- A structured strength and stability programme for the back and trunk muscles to support the spine
- Advice on adapting your daily activities
