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Facet Syndrome Treatment – Conservative Options

Conservative facet syndrome treatment options are often recommended to alleviate the symptoms of facet joint disease. Facet syndrome can be a moderate to severely painful condition, depending on the level of joint degeneration present in the spine. Individual vertebrae link together at the facet joints, which allow the spine to have maximum flexibility and range of motion. Over time, this movement causes the joints to lose their protective cartilaginous lining. Once the joint cartilage has sufficiently worn down, bone may begin to rub on bone, causing the formation of bone spurs and symptoms of pain, tenderness, stiffness, and inflammation. This condition, also known as spinal arthritis, can get progressively painful over time.

Conservative Options

Your doctor may initially suggest a conservative approach to facet syndrome treatment. These options may include:

• Rest – Taking time to rest your back and neck can help reduce inflammation in the spinal tissues and relieve pressure exerted on painful joints from standing or sitting at length.
• Physical therapy – A therapist can help you perform exercises to strengthen your core muscles, teach you proper body mechanics, stretch out areas of nerve compression, and provide essential pain prevention tips.
• Cold/hot therapy – Applying ice packs can help reduce inflammation. Additionally, alternating cold with heating pads or warm baths can promote blood flow to the tissues surrounding an affected joint.
• Medications -- Your doctor may recommend one of several medications to relieve facet syndrome symptoms. These may include NSAIDs, opioids, and facet joint blocks, among others.
• Alternative treatments -- In addition to traditional conservative treatments,?alternative methods such as yoga, pilates, acupuncture, and massage may be recommended to help relieve pain from facet syndrome.

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A Minimally Invasive Option

Facet syndrome treatment rarely progresses past conservative options. For some people, however, the pain associated with facet syndrome cannot be relieved with these methods. Only then might your doctor ask you to consider surgery. Before you consent to an open back or neck surgery, explore the minimally invasive procedures offered at Laser Spine Institute. Our orthopedic experts use state-of-the-art endoscopic techniques to perform these procedures on an outpatient basis. To schedule a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan, contact Laser Spine Institute. Finally, free yourself from back and neck pain.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.