Facet disease is a term for osteoarthritis affecting the facet joints. This common age-related condition is not always painful, but if serious symptoms do develop they can be very disruptive to quality of life. Although not a reversible condition, there are many effective facet disease treatments that can help relieve symptoms and improve mobility enough to allow for a return to everyday activities.

In addition to conventional treatments like medication and physical therapy, many people with facet disease seek out alternative treatments. Although these types of treatments have not been fully accepted by the mainstream medical community, many patients do report finding relief, especially when combined with other methods to form a comprehensive treatment plan.

Try these alternative facet disease treatments

Here are some of the more commonly attempted alternative treatment methods:

1. Acupuncture. Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, this practice involves placing thin needles in specific locations across the body.
2. Chiropractic care. A doctor of chiropractic medicine performs manual adjustments to align the spine and relieve pressure on the spinal facet joints.
3. Herbal remedies. Taking supplements or cooking with ingredients that have natural pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, like turmeric, can help relieve facet disease symptoms.
4. Restorative yoga. Yoga is a practice that involves focusing on breathing and holding poses that stretch and strengthen the body. Performing this type of therapeutic yoga that emphasizes a gentle approach can help mentally and physically treat this condition.

If you decide to explore these or other alternative facet disease treatments, be sure to stay in close partnership with your doctor in order to form a comprehensive and coherent plan of care.

Surgical facet disease treatment

If you are dealing with severe facet disease symptoms that are caused by nerve compression and weeks or months of conservative and alternative treatments have not brought relief, spine surgery may become an option.

To learn more about facet disease treatment, including our minimally invasive spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care today. Our board-certified surgeons+ use muscle-sparing techniques to access the spine, allowing for conditions like facet disease and bone spurs to be treated on an outpatient basis.

Find out if you are a potential candidate by asking for your free MRI review* from a member of our caring and dedicated team.

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