Chronic Low Back Pain
Localized pain and stiffness in the spine that gets worse with extension, could be more than just “low back pain.” Patients often experience pain in the morning that will improve after moving around. Patients who are restricted to a desk job and sitting all day (office syndrome), however will not get much relief throughout the day. Facet joints in the spine are small joints that aid in movement. Facet syndrome is something that happens over time and is accompanied by stiffness and inflammation. Symptoms will often refer into the buttocks and the back portion of the upper leg.
Facet Syndrome Explained
The facet joints in the lumbar spine are small joints in the low back that are surrounded by a joint capsule that aid in the movement of our spine. As a major contributor to pain in the spine these joints often break down and become arthritic over time. When inflammatory changes occur in these joints, pain is produced during extension of the spine. Often individuals with facet joint problems will demonstrate a forward flexed posture to relieve the stress on the facet joints.
Causes of Facet Pain
The majority of facet injuries happen over time with aging but can also be a result of injury and everyday wear and tear of daily life on these joints. As we age we our joints become arthritic, this is what experts believe is the true cause of problems in the facet joint. When these joints become inflamed, stiffness and pain shortly follow. As these joints break down they can also begin to misalign themselves, which can further increase pain. In some cases of facet syndrome, spondylolisthesis can also be problematic, this is when one vertebrae begins to move forward over the vertebrae below.
Conventional Chronic Low Back Pain Treatments
Most injuries to the facet joints will respond very well to conservative treatment options. Of these options physical therapy and chiropractic will help to alleviate facet pain through exercise and joint mobilizations. Spinal adjustments help to restore motion back into these joints and physical therapy will help strengthen the surrounding muscles to support the lumbar spine. Most injuries to the facet joints happen over time and will respond well to conventional non-surgical treatment options. When conservative measurements fail to help, interventional pain management may be an option to help alleviate pain. Injection based therapies can help reduce the pain and inflammation in conjunction with physical therapy and chiropractic treatments.
At Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine we incorporate state-of-the-art non-surgical spinal decompression therapy known as DRX9000 Spinal Decompression, which helps to decrease the pain and radiating symptoms associated with lumbar facet syndrome. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy will also help restore movement in these joints.
Treat Your Chronic Low Back Pain Today!
DRX 9000 Decompression Therapy
Patients suffering from facet syndrome may benefit from non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. At Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine, we use state-of-the-art, DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression. The DRX is one of the most research-supported treatments available and we continue to see great results for long standing conditions. While being treated with spinal decompression therapy, patients will undergo a full course of physical therapy and chiropractic care. Our physical therapists will begin to stabilize and strengthen the muscles involved with disc injuries while our chiropractors will restore function to the joints in your low back. In severe cases, patients may receive interventional pain management options to help ease with pain and inflammation.
Treat Chronic Low Back Pain in NJ
Available at Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine, DRX 9000 Decompression therapy is changing the game for patients suffering with stubborn long-standing injuries. If you find that you are suffering from chronic low back pain, please feel free to contact us at 908-754-1960 or contact us online and allow us to help you get better, faster!
About the Authors:
Joseph Mejia D.O., F.A.A.P.M.& R, is a graduate of University of Michigan and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. Dr. Mejia received his Fellowship Training in Interventional Pain Management from University of Medicine and Dentistry. He has advanced training in Regenerative Medicine and is the Medical Director and Partner of Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine.
Vincent J. Diana D.C. is a graduate of New York Chiropractic College. He is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician with licenses held in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Dr. Diana is a Chiropractic Physician at Performance Rehabilitation & Regenerative Medicine.
