Understanding Facet Syndrome: Myths, Facts, and Treatment Insights from A San Diego Chiropractor

Have you ever woken up with a stiff neck, or suddenly felt pain in your back after an awkward movement? If so, you might have quickly assumed you’re dealing with a "pinched nerve." But what if we told you that what you’re experiencing could actually be facet syndrome? 

Whether from poor posture, a sudden movement, or the natural effects of aging, facet syndrome can cause sharp, localized pain and stiffness in the spine. But don't worry—it's not something you have to live with long-term. With the right care and approach, people recover fully from facet syndrome.

What is Facet Syndrome?

Facet syndrome occurs when the small joints, known as facet joints, in your spine become irritated or inflamed. These joints help your spine move smoothly and are located on either side of each vertebra. When they become irritated, usually from repetitive movements, trauma, or age-related wear and tear, they can cause pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back.

Typically, the pain is localized, sharp, and worsens with certain movements, like extending backward or rotating the neck. While it may feel like a "pinched nerve," the pain is often caused by inflammation in the facet joints, not by nerve compression.

The Connection Between Facet Syndrome and Pinched Nerves

Many people confuse facet syndrome with a pinched nerve, and it's easy to see why. Both conditions can cause pain in similar areas of the body, but the cause is different. While a pinched nerve typically involves compression of a nerve, facet syndrome is more about irritation and inflammation in the facet joints themselves.

Symptoms of a true pinched nerve often include radiating pain, tingling, or numbness down the arms or legs. With facet syndrome, pain is more localized and is generally worsened by certain movements, like looking up or turning your neck.

How Do We Treat Facet Syndrome at Team Elite Chiropractic?

At Team Elite Chiropractic, we take a holistic approach to treating facet syndrome, focusing on relieving pain, improving mobility, and reducing inflammation. Our goal is to help you return to your regular activities without relying on invasive treatments or surgery. We utilize several tools for treating Facet Syndrome: 

Chiropractic Adjustments
We use gentle spinal adjustments to restore normal joint movement, reduce irritation in the facet joints, and relieve pressure on surrounding muscles. These adjustments can offer immediate relief and are often paired with other therapies to provide longer-lasting benefits.

Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is another powerful tool in our treatment arsenal. This non-invasive therapy helps reduce inflammation and promotes healing by stimulating cellular energy in the tissues around the affected joints. Laser therapy can help ease the sharp pain often associated with facet syndrome and accelerate your recovery.

Soft Tissue Therapy
We often use soft tissue therapies, like cupping or myofascial release, to relieve muscle tightness around the affected area. Since muscle tension is a common result of facet irritation, addressing the muscles surrounding the facet joints can significantly improve movement and reduce discomfort.

Corrective Exercises
Once we’ve addressed your immediate pain and inflammation, we focus on improving the strength and mobility of your spine through corrective exercises. Gentle stretching and mobility exercises can help keep the facet joints from becoming stiff, while strengthening exercises for the surrounding muscles help prevent future flare-ups.

Education and Prevention
At Team Elite Chiropractic, we’re not just about treating the pain—we want to help you prevent it from coming back. We educate our patients on proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and exercises they can do at home to maintain spinal health and reduce strain on their facet joints.

Why is the Right Diagnosis So Important?

It’s essential to understand the true cause of your pain when seeking treatment. If you think you're dealing with a "pinched nerve," but it's actually facet syndrome, your treatment plan might not be as effective. Misdiagnosing the issue could lead to treatments that don’t address the root cause, potentially prolonging your discomfort.

A proper diagnosis means you’ll receive a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Whether through spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, or corrective exercises, your treatment at Team Elite Chiropractic will be designed to get you feeling better, faster.

Why Choose Team Elite Chiropractic?

What sets Team Elite Chiropractic apart is our holistic, personalized approach to spine health. We don’t just focus on your symptoms—we look at the whole picture, from your lifestyle to your posture, and design a treatment plan tailored to you. Whether through chiropractic adjustments, advanced therapies like laser treatment, or corrective exercises, we’re committed to helping you recover and stay pain-free.

If you’re experiencing pain in your neck or back, don’t wait for it to get worse. Book an appointment with Team Elite Chiropractic today, and let us help you get back to your best self.

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