How is facet joint syndrome treated?
Facet joint syndrome most often is treated with a combination of non-surgical methods, including: • Posture correction — Keeping the spine in proper alignment can reduce stress on the lower back and neck. • Activity modification — This might include altering your home and workplace environments to avoid excessive twisting, stretching, and bending. Using proper lifting techniques also is important for protecting the back and neck. • Exercise/physical therapy — The goal of exercise and/or physical therapy is to reduce pain and inflammation, and increase pain-free movement. Exercise also increases circulation, which aids healing. It also improves flexibility and builds strength. • Medicines — Medicines can help relieve pain, and reduce inflammation and muscle spasms. An over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as Motrin, might be recommended to help reduce pain and swelling. Stronger medicines might be prescribed if the NSAIDs do not provide relief. These me
