Facet joint pain and dysfunction — non-surgical support with spinal decompression
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- Lower back (lumbar) spine
- Middle back (thoracic) 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
- Headaches (cervicogenic)
- Difficulty turning the head
- Pain radiating to the shoulder or between shoulder blades
Why patients choose decompression
- Sharp or dull mid-back pain
- Pain when twisting or bending
- Rib and shoulder discomfort
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
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 for Facet Joint Decompression?
You may be suitable if you have:
- Diagnosed facet joint syndrome
- Localized back or neck pain
- Pain that worsens with extension or rotation
- Chronic pain not responding to other treatments
- Reduced mobility and stiffness
Not suitable if you have:
- Spinal tumours
- Unstable fractures
- Advanced osteoporosis
- Spinal infection
- Severe spinal instability
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
While it varies, most people require a structured program of:
- 2–3 sessions per week
- for 6–10 weeks
Joint healing is gradual, and ongoing compression must be relieved consistently. We incorporate chiropractic care, decompression and rehabilitation to improve long-term stability — not just short-term pain relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — when properly assessed and supervised by a trained chiropractor. Manufacturer-provided clinical information and published research relating to BTL spinal decompression systems indicate that, when appropriately prescribed and supervised, spinal decompression is generally well tolerated in eligible patients. As with any clinical intervention, suitability must be determined through individual assessment, and responses may vary.
No. Most people find it relaxing. You should not feel pain during treatment.
Many cases of chronic back pain are caused by facet joint dysfunction. Decompression may help reduce joint pressure and improve symptoms.
This varies. We combine decompression with corrective chiropractic care and rehabilitation to support long-term results.
Imaging can be helpful but is not always required. Your chiropractor will determine whether imaging is needed before proceeding.
Book an Assessment
If you're experiencing back pain, neck pain, stiffness or symptoms of facet joint syndrome, our chiropractors can assess whether spinal decompression may be suitable for you.
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