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Facet Joint Pain:
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What is a Synovial Joint?
Facet joints are Synovial Joints- the most common joint in the human body. A Synovial Joint is characterized by having a joint capsule, joint capsule fluid-synovial fluid to lubricate the inside of the joint, and cartilage on the outside of the joint between the upper and lower adjacent surfaces of each vertebra to allow a smooth gliding movement.What is Facet Arthritis?
Facet Arthritis also known as Facet Arthropathy is a degenerative arthritis-facet joint inflammation that can be one of the Facet Pain syndromes.What are some Facet Joint Pain causes?
Some causes of joint pain are:- Wear and tear
- Degeneration of Cartilage surfaces, Joint Capsule or associated Vertebral Discs
- Injury or Trauma
- Incorrect posture
- Excessive forward head posture
- Forward Pelvic Rotation
- Abnormal spinal curvature
- Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back
- Scoliosis-Lateral Lumbar spinal curvature
Facet Syndrome Video
Factors affecting Joint Movement
The Facet Joint must be able to move smoothly without restriction. Joint pain symptoms are often experienced when the joint becomes “stuck” or “fixated” in the open or closed position or in the partially open or partially closed position. Joint dysfunction can cause the muscles surrounding the problem to become hypertonic-extremely tight in order to “splint” or support the problem. Conversely, the musculature that surrounds the joint could have a problem that is causing the joint to become stuck open or closed, resulting in Facet Joint Pain.Where is Facet Syndrome commonly found and what are the Symptoms?
Facet Joint Syndrome is more common in the neck and lower back.Lower back Facet Syndrome symptoms include:
- Lower back pain or tenderness
- Hypertonic Hip Flexor Muscles and Lower Back Muscles
- Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points in the Hip Flexors and Lower Back Muscles
- Increased pain upon twisting or arching the lower back or torso
- Deep dull aching pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the thighs
- Stiffness or difficulty with certain movements, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair
Neck (Cervical) Facet Syndrome symptoms include:
- Neck Pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder Pain
- Difficulty rotating the head
- Hypertonic Neck Muscles
- Myofascial Pain and Trigger Points in the neck
Take the next important step before treatment
Facet Joint Pain can be difficult to identify due to similarities in symptoms from other chronic pain conditions. This makes the Facet Joint Pain Assessment an important preparatory step if we are to have a measurable degree of treatment success with an effective Treatment Plan. A highly skilled and trained Physician or Clinical Massage Therapist or Chiropractor can conduct tests to determine if there might be any kind of fixation or movement limiting symptom inhibiting proper joint function.Facet Joint Pain Assessment Are the Facet Joints functioning correctly?
Facet Joint Pain Treatment Helping the Facet Joints move smoothly again
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