Chiropractic Treatment For Facet Joint Injuries
Make an appointment with your chiropractor as soon as possible to have the problem properly diagnosed. Once the diagnosis is made the appropriate treatment can be given.
The initial treatment involves avoiding the movements that cause the joints to be painful, but prolonged rest is not advisable.
Chiropractic treatment would normally involve early manipulation to release the muscle spasm. The manipulation is not done to the injured joint and the most appropriate treatment method will be chosen to avoid aggravating the problem, so don’t expect the treatment to be painful.
The chiropractor will also give advice on how to get comfortable, how to move, and taught which exercises to do to get comfortable and help you to get on with your life as comfortable as possible.
Once the pain has subsided core muscle exercises will gradually be introduced to create better spinal control and stability, which is one way of preventing the injury from coming back.
You will also be giving postural and ergonomic advice to help you reduce the risk of injury.
In a more chronic (long-standing) type of facet joint problem, the management would most likely be over a longer period.
Anti-inflammatory Medication
In our clinics, we often hear from patients that they find painkillers ineffective. If you decide to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs, which is an option if your pain is severe you need to be aware of the possible side-effects.
You can read more about facet joint injuries here.
How long will it take to get better?
Your Chiropractor will discuss with you the frequency of visits required for treatment. The healing process takes time and varies from person to person, often depending on the severity of the condition and the history of the complaint.
However, how active and compliant you are in your own treatment will influence your recovery time.