Facet Syndrome
Facet joint pain responds well to targeted, non-surgical care — restoring joint motion and reducing the compression that drives inflammation.
What Is Facet Syndrome?
Facet syndrome — also called facet joint disease or zygapophyseal joint syndrome — is pain caused by arthritis, inflammation, or degeneration of the small joints that connect adjacent vertebrae along the back of the spine. Every vertebra has two pairs of facet joints that guide and limit spinal movement. When these joints become irritated, arthritic, or overloaded, they produce localized pain that is often worse with extension (bending backward), rotation, and prolonged standing.
Facet syndrome is most common in the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and it frequently develops alongside degenerative disc disease — when disc height is lost, the facet joints bear more load than they were designed to handle, accelerating wear. Many patients in Ocean and Monmouth County describe the pain as a deep, aching stiffness that's worst in the morning or after inactivity, sometimes with referral pain into the buttocks or shoulders.
A Combined Approach: Adjustments and Decompression
Chiropractic adjustments are a primary and well-established treatment for facet syndrome. By restoring proper joint mobility and reducing fixation at the affected segments, adjustments directly address the restricted motion and guarded muscle tension that amplify facet pain. Dr. Fischer uses precise, low-force techniques appropriate for arthritic or inflamed joints.
When facet syndrome coexists with disc degeneration — which is common — spinal decompression plays an important complementary role. By reducing the compressive load on the disc and restoring disc height, decompression indirectly takes load off the facet joints as well. Less disc collapse means the facets return closer to their normal position and load-sharing relationship, which can meaningfully reduce ongoing joint stress and pain.
For many facet syndrome patients, the combination of adjustments to restore movement and decompression to address the underlying disc component produces better long-term results than either approach alone.
Learn More About DRX Spinal Decompression →Are You a Candidate for Treatment?
Non-surgical care may be right for your facet syndrome if any of the following apply:
- Facet joint arthritis or degeneration confirmed by MRI or X-ray
- Deep, aching back or neck pain that worsens with extension or rotation
- Morning stiffness or pain after prolonged inactivity
- Facet syndrome combined with degenerative disc disease
- Desire to avoid facet injections or rhizotomy procedures
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Fischer to find out whether you're a candidate and get a personalized plan.
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