At Shift Spinal Health, we believe in empowering our community to live pain-free, active lives. One common condition we see is facet syndrome—a source of back and neck pain that can limit your daily activities. This blog dives into what facet syndrome is, how our chiropractic care can help, and specific exercises you can do at home to support your recovery. With our personalized approach, we’re here to guide you every step of the way toward a healthier spine.
What is Facet Syndrome?
Facet syndrome occurs when the facet joints—small joints that connect your vertebrae and allow spinal movement—become inflamed or degenerate. These joints are critical for flexibility, but aging, poor posture, repetitive stress, or injury can lead to pain and stiffness. Common triggers include:
- Wear and Tear: Cartilage breakdown from aging or overuse.
- Postural Habits: Slouching or improper alignment during work or exercise.
- Inactivity: Weak muscles that fail to support the spine.
- Trauma: Injuries from sports, falls, or accidents.
Symptoms often include:
- Localized neck, mid-back, or lower back pain, especially when twisting or bending.
- Stiffness after sitting or sleeping.
- Tenderness over the affected joints.
- Occasional radiating pain to the shoulders or hips, though less common than with disc issues.
At Shift Spinal Health, we understand how these symptoms can disrupt your life, and we’re committed to helping you find relief naturally.
How Shift Spinal Health Can Help
Our chiropractic team at Shift Spinal Health specializes in non-invasive, holistic care to address facet syndrome. We focus on restoring alignment, reducing inflammation, and empowering you to maintain your progress. Here’s how we approach it:
1. Personalized Chiropractic Adjustments:
- Using gentle techniques, such as diversified adjustments or low-force methods, we realign your spine to ease pressure on irritated facet joints.
- Adjustments improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing by enhancing circulation to the area.
- Every adjustment is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring comfort and effectiveness.
2. Soft Tissue Therapy:
- We incorporate therapies like myofascial release to relax tight muscles around the spine, often contributing to facet joint stress.
- This helps improve flexibility and supports long-term relief.
3. Lifestyle and Posture Coaching:
- Our team assesses your posture, work setup, and daily habits to identify factors aggravating your condition.
- We provide practical tips—like ergonomic adjustments or proper movement mechanics—to prevent future issues.
4. Whole-Person Care:
- At Shift Spinal Health, we don’t just treat symptoms. We look at your overall wellness and offer guidance on stress management, nutrition, or activity levels to support your spine.
Our approach is backed by evidence showing that chiropractic care effectively manages back pain, including facet syndrome, with minimal risks. We’re here to help you move, feel, and live better.
Exercises to Complement Your Care
To enhance the benefits of chiropractic treatment, we recommend specific exercises to strengthen your spine and improve flexibility. These movements are designed to be safe and effective for facet syndrome, but always check with your Shift Spinal Health chiropractor before starting to ensure they’re right for you.
1. Cat-Cow Stretch:
- Why: Mobilizes the spine to ease stiffness.
- How:
- On all fours, align hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
- Inhale, arch your back (cow), lifting your head and tailbone.
- Exhale, round your spine (cat), tucking your chin.
- Repeat 8–10 times, moving gently.
- Tip: Focus on smooth, controlled motions to avoid strain.
- Why: Stretches the lower back, relieving lumbar tension.
- How:
- Kneel, sit back on your heels, then extend your arms forward, lowering your chest.
- Hold for 20–30 seconds, breathing deeply.
- Repeat 2–3 times.
- Tip: Keep your movements slow to maximize relaxation.
- Why: Strengthens core muscles to support your lower spine.