There are a variety of facet disease treatment methods available to patients in pain and these treatments typically fall under conservative, alternative, and surgical categories. Facet disease, also known as spinal arthritis or facet joint syndrome, often comes with symptoms that can range from mild to severe, and include painful, inflamed joints in the neck and/or back, tenderness, stiffness, a loss of flexibility, and reduced range of motion. If you have been diagnosed with facet disease, it is important that you maintain an open dialogue with your doctor and/or spine specialist in order to find the best treatment method, or combination of methods, that works best for you.

Conservative Treatments

Most doctors usually recommend conservative facet disease treatment methods once the condition has been diagnosed. Conservative methods often include:

– Medications – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can help to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain around arthritic facet joints. NSAIDs are often used in combination with other treatment methods and are widely available in over-the-counter varieties. If your pain is particularly severe, your doctor may prescribe stronger doses of an NSAID, or a narcotic, such as codeine or morphine.

– TENS therapy – TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, involves a machine that emits adjustable low-voltage electrical pulses via electrodes that are attached to the back or neck near areas of discomfort. The electrical pulses stimulate joint nerves and help to block pain signals. This stimulation also affects the surrounding nerves, tissues, and blood vessels, which may also aid in the releasing of endorphins, relieving muscle tension, and improving blood flow.

– Physical therapy – A physical therapist can help you with strength-building and stretching exercises, and teach proper body mechanics to help alleviate your spinal arthritis pain. This form of facet disease treatment may also help you to implement preventative techniques into your daily routine.

Alternative Treatments

Some patients find that alternative treatment options, which focus on a more holistic approach to pain management, can also provide meaningful pain relief. The overall effectiveness of these methods, however, is often debated amongst members of the medical community. If you are considering alternative treatments, it is best to consult with both your doctor and a natural health practitioner to ensure the best results. Suggested alternative methods might include:

– Massage – Gentle massage may be particularly effective at relieving the tension and stiffness that often plagues arthritic joints. Applying herbal oils, such as peppermint, may also aid in pain relief.

– Chiropractic adjustments – A manual spinal adjustment may provide temporary pain relief, as a chiropractor can help to properly realign the spinal components.

– Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese treatment method involves the insertion of thin, steel needles into various points along “meridians,” or energy channels. It is believed that acupuncture stimulates nerves and helps to block pain.

Surgical Treatments

In most cases, surgical facet disease treatment won’t be necessary. Surgery may only become an option if conservative and alternative methods fail to provide you with significant pain relief, even after several weeks or months of implementation. If your doctor asks you to consider a surgical procedure, be sure to thoroughly research and explore each operation – and seek other medical opinions – before you sign any consent forms.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for facet disease and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Facet disease