Facet joint syndrome is a type of osteoarthritis that affects the joints in the spine. It can result in neck and back pain, stiffness, soreness and other unpleasant symptoms. When symptoms of facet syndrome start to interfere with daily activities, it’s important to know that there are facet syndrome treatment options available that can help you manage your pain.

Common facet syndrome treatment options

After confirming that facet joint syndrome is the underlying condition that’s causing your symptoms, your physician will likely take a conservative approach to treatment. Six common treatments that you can consider for facet joint syndrome are:

1. Having a balanced diet. By eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and limiting alcohol consumption, you’ll help your spine stay healthy. Plus, these measures can lead to weight loss, which will reduce the amount of pressure on the spine.
2. Staying active. Engaging in low-impact exercises like walking and swimming can help strengthen the spine and retain range of motion. Water aerobics are an increasingly popular option due to the buoyancy and support of the water, which minimizes impact on the joints.
3. Physical therapy. For a more targeted approach, you can work with a physical therapist to learn techniques designed to strengthen and stretch the muscles that support the spine. This can help provide stability to the spine in areas where the joints have weakened.
4. Taking medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and aspirin can provide short-term relief when symptoms are particularly painful.
5. Using hot and cold compresses. Hot compresses help to improve circulation while cold compresses can numb the area that is in pain.
6. Alternative therapies. While the medical community does not have a consensus about this approach, some patients find that holistic approaches such as acupressure, chiropractic care and herbal supplements are effective as a facet syndrome treatment. Always work closely with your doctor when considering these options.

Facet syndrome treatment at USA Spine Care

These six options help many patients find the relief they need from facet syndrome. However, for those who are still experiencing pain and other symptoms after trying this conservative approach for weeks or months, surgery may become an option. Minimally invasive spine surgery for facet syndrome and other back conditions is available at USA Spine Care, the leader in spine care. Our experienced surgeons have used minimally invasive techniques to help more than 75,000 patients find neck and back pain relief.

Contact us today for a no-cost MRI review* to determine whether you might be a candidate for our minimally invasive surgery as treatment for your facet syndrome.

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