If I tell you “low back pain due to facet pain” you may not understand what it is. Actually, there would be no reason.
But if I told you that low back pain is that consistent pain that you experience in the lower back (located between the lower edge of the ribs and the beginning of the buttocks), and that this pain can have different origins, one of those known as facet joints, is perhaps easier to understand.
That is why it is very important for me to always speak with empathy, clarity and transparency to all my patients: so that they feel confident about the treatment, have realistic expectations and we both learn in the process.
So, let’s get started
Why do so many people suffer from low back pain?
It is estimated that approximately up to 80% of the adult population may develop, at least, one episode of low back pain throughout their lives.
This, mainly, as a result of the habits that we acquire today, sedentary lifestyle (we spend so many hours sitting in front of the computer or the television and driving a car in uncomfortable and incorrect postures).
In fact, back pain in general has been called by the BBC: evolutionary maladjustment disease. This means that “the evolutionary design of the human being is intended for an active life and our skeleton needs physical movement to stay healthy.” We are not made for a sedentary life.
For its part, the scientific journal The Lancet published a series of articles in 2018 in which it estimated that, globally, 540 million people suffer from low back pain.
And that was before we had to stay cooped up at home doing literally, everything, from a computer or cell phone, and possibly without using devices (like chairs and desks) without the right back support or ergonomic designs.
Although, it is worth saying that low back pain can also occur due to excessive exercise or without previous warm-up. Everything has a correct way of doing it!
Now, what is low back pain due to facet joint pain?
Its name is due to the fact that this pain originates in the facet (synovial) joints, which are located in the posterior area of the vertebrae, due to the sum of multiple genetic and environmental factors.
In fact, in most patients there is no specific cause for this wear; It could be considered that aging, poor posture and the loads to which the back is subjected lead to a process of degeneration.
What are the symptoms of facet joint pain?
This condition is characterized, above all, by low back pain with stiffness in the morning (usually lasting more than 30 minutes), which improves with movement, but not with rest. It can also generate inflammation and the presence of muscle contractures.
In addition, the patient is unable to stand or sit for long periods of time. Also, many of the patients assure that they wake up in the morning due to alternating pain in the buttocks.
And, depending on the degree of involvement, the patient may suffer sensitivity disorders, such as anesthesia, hypoanesthesia, hyperesthesia, tingling, and movement difficulties, such as paresis and even paralysis.
How to treat facet low back pain?
For the diagnosis, a complete study is required based on the clinical history, the patient’s symptoms and direct palpation of the facets (physical examination by the specialist). This is supplemented by imaging tests.
After verifying that it is low back pain due to facet joint pain, conservative treatment can be started that includes physical activity, postural hygiene (avoid overloading the back), applying cold or heat to the painful area and pharmacological support (taking pain medication).
But if the patient does not improve, a neuroreflexotherapy (NRT) intervention will be necessary to stimulate nerve fibers in the skin related to the nerves involved in pain, inflammation and muscle contracture.
When is an operation for low back pain required?
Vertebral and spinal surgery to solve back pain is only applicable in proven cases of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis (displacement of one vertebra over another) or progressive scoliosis in children or adolescents.
If you have any questions about this topic or think you are suffering from lumbago due to facet joint pain, contact me. I will gladly assist you and help you recover your quality of life.
