You may not know what a facet joint is unless you are suffering from related pain. If you live in or near Carrollton, GA, you can count on Dr. Peter Lazarnick (Dr. Pete) to provide for your chiropractic care. He offers a variety of health and wellness services for every member of the family.
What is a facet joint?
A facet joint is a joint that allows your spine and neck to move back and forth, forward and back. It is an articulated joint. They connect the bones of the spine and the nerve runs through them. There is cartilage between the joints much like there is in the knee. The facet joints also supply support for the back to keep it from moving too far forward or back.
What causes facet joint pain
These joints can become swollen due to arthritis or to injury. Pain is the result. If the joint is in the neck area it can cause headaches, and make it difficult to move your head. If the damage is in the back, the pain may be located in the lower back and extend down the buttocks or thighs.
Treatments for facet joint pain
Chiropractic treatment has shown it can be very effective in treating facet joint pain. It is a non-invasive drug-free way to help with this type of pain.
Chiropractic adjustment
After an initial exam, your chiropractor may diagnose facet joint syndrome. Chiropractic adjustment can help to relieve the pain associated with this condition. The adjustment will strive to open the facet joint so that it increases the range of motion and decreases the pain associated with movement.
Therapeutic exercise
Therapeutic exercise targets very specific areas of the back or neck. Stretching exercises can help and also exercises to improve posture.
Therapeutic ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to create heat deep in the tissue. It can help to soothe the aggravated nerve in the facet joint.
Electrical muscle stimulation
When the facet joint becomes inflamed, it can cause stress to the muscles in the back. Electrical muscle stimulation can help to get rid of muscle spasms and let the back muscles relax.
In Carrollton, GA, Dr. Pete has been helping to provide chiropractic care for more than 40 years. If you are suffering from facet joint pain or any other condition, give our office a call at 770-832-2226 to make an appointment. You can also drop us a line on our website.