Facet Joint Syndrome

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Relief for localised back or neck pain, stiffness & movement restriction

What Is Facet Joint Syndrome?

Facet Joint Syndrome is one of the most common causes of spinal pain.

Facet joints are small joints located at the back of each vertebra. They guide movement and stabilise the spine. Over time, these joints can become inflamed, arthritic or overloaded, leading to pain, stiffness and restricted movement.

Facet pain can occur in the:

• Neck (cervical spine)

• Mid-back (thoracic spine)

• Lower back (lumbar spine)

It often develops gradually but can also be aggravated by sudden injury, repetitive strain or poor posture.

Symptoms of Facet Joint Syndrome

Lumbar Facet Symptoms (Lower Back)

• Localised lower-back pain (often one-sided)

• Pain worse with extension (leaning backwards)

• Stiffness getting up from sitting

• Pain after long periods of standing

• Aching into buttocks or upper thigh (but not below the knee)

Cervical Facet Symptoms (Neck)

• Localised neck pain

• Pain radiating to the shoulder or between shoulder blades

• Headaches (cervicogenic)

• Difficulty turning the head

Thoracic Facet Symptoms (Mid-back)

• Sharp or dull mid-back pain

• Pain when twisting or bending

• Rib and shoulder discomfort

Facet pain is typically localised, unlike sciatica or nerve compression which radiate down the leg or arm.

What Causes Facet Joint Syndrome?

Degenerative Changes

As discs thin with age, more pressure is placed on the facet joints, leading to arthritis.

Poor Posture & Sitting

Forward-head posture, slouched sitting or WFH setups overload the facets.

Repetitive Movements

Frequent bending, twisting or lifting (tradespeople, parents, gym-goers).

Injury or Whiplash

Sudden trauma can inflame the facet joints.

Hyperextension Sports

Cricket, gymnastics, dance, weight training.

Disc Degeneration

When discs lose height, facet compression increases.

Facet Joint Syndrome vs Disc Issues

Facet Joint Pain

• Localised ache or sharp pain

• Worse leaning back

• Better when sitting

• No nerve symptoms

Disc Pain

• Often radiates down arm/leg

• Worse bending forward

• Sitting may aggravate symptoms

• May cause numbness/tingling

Many people with chronic back pain have both disc changes and facet irritation.

How Spinal Decompression May Help Facet Joint Syndrome

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Spinal decompression is not just for discs.

Your uploaded studies (Carmona, Kasimovich, Arumugam, PMRJ) show that decompression also:

• unloads pressure on the facet joints

• creates space in the posterior elements of the spine

• stretches tight joint capsules

• reduces inflammation and stiffness

• restores smoother spinal movement

• improves posture and mobility

Facet joints respond particularly well to controlled distraction forces that reduce compression and allow inflamed tissues to settle.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may benefit from decompression if you have:

• chronic or recurring lower-back pain

• pain worse with standing or extension

• neck pain with stiffness and reduced rotation

• facet arthritis confirmed on imaging

• pain from poor posture

• pain after lifting, twisting or prolonged sitting

• stiffness in the morning or after inactivity

Your First Visit: What to Expect

1. Comprehensive Examination

• orthopaedic facet loading tests

• neurological exam

• posture and movement assessment

• palpation of facet joints

• review of MRI/X-ray (if available)

2. Confirming the Diagnosis

Facet pain has a distinct pattern that we identify through movement testing and palpation.

3. Personalised Treatment Plan

May include:

• spinal decompression

• gentle chiropractic adjustments

• mobility and stability exercises

• ergonomic coaching

• soft tissue release

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

Most cases benefit from:

• 2–3 sessions per week

• 4–8 weeks of care

Improvement depends on severity, age, spinal degeneration and lifestyle demands.

Frequently Asked Questions (SEO)

Does facet joint pain go away?

Yes — with proper unloading, mobility and stabilisation work, symptoms often improve significantly.

Can decompression help arthritis?

Decompression cannot reverse arthritis, but it can reduce joint pressure, inflammation, stiffness and pain.

Is facet syndrome the same as spondylosis?

Spondylosis refers broadly to arthritis and degeneration; facet syndrome is a more specific form of joint irritation.

Why does my back hurt when standing?

Facet compression increases when upright. Opening the joints through targeted decompression often brings relief.

Book a Facet Joint Assessment

If you’re dealing with chronic neck or back stiffness that keeps returning, your facet joints may be involved.

➡️ Book Your 40-Minute Decompression Assessment Today

(Assessment + findings + first session if indicated)