SpineZone Treats Facet Issues

The Problem: Facet Issues

Also known as: Facet Joint Syndrome & Facet Arthritis

What’s to Blame?

Picture this: at the end of our joints we’ve got cartilage for protection. Facet arthritis happens when that cartilage starts to wear out and become thin. This contributes to the possibility of bone spurs (osteophytes) and enlargement of the joints (hypertrophy). The risk factors for this degeneration are age, poor posture, family history, degenerative disk disease, and injury/history of trauma.

 

How Does It Feel?

The most commonly reported symptoms of facet arthritis are pain and stiffness. Lower back (lumbar) facet arthritis is often felt in the spine near the joint, but pain can also radiate out to the buttocks, thighs, and hips. If the problem is in the neck it’s called cervical facet arthritis and the pain can radiate to the shoulder, back of the head, or the ear. Periods of inactivity, such as sleep, can make the stiffness and pain worse.

How Will SpineZone Help Me Get Relief?

The highly-skilled orthopedic care team of physical therapists and wellness coaches at SpineZone will craft a treatment plan involving stretching, strengthening, and posture correction. Strengthening the core abdominal muscles and lower back are imperative. Heat, ice, anti-inflammatories, and even injections can be used to provide relief from the pain. Combined with our BeingWell WholeBeing health program, you’ll be back at pickle ball sooner than you thought.

Are There Prevention Tips?

For prevention, our experts recommend an active lifestyle of regular strengthening and stretching along with cardio, posture awareness and correction, and a healthy diet.

Hmmm… it appears that regular stretching and strengthening, along with posture correction and proper nutrition are the prevention protocol for lots of MSK conditions…