Are Your Facet Joints Causing You Pain?

It’s been aptly said, “They preach patience who never felt pain.” Chronic severe pain can be soul destroying, particularly when the diagnosis is not known. One of the most troublesome categories is back and neck pain. It can render people immobile, making even the simplest activity a challenge. Because it involves the spine, and therefore a wide range of muscles as well as the delicate and complex central nervous system, back and neck pain is also a worry due to the risks of treatments that go wrong. Unfortunately, all too often, the diagnosis and treatment of spinal problems involves expensive tests, risky surgical procedures, and powerful drugs. But as regular readers will know, I have always been loath to recommend surgeries and pharmaceutical drugs when there are other options. Instead, if you suffer from relentless back or neck pain, you might be wise to see a physician who practices alternative or integrative medicine. A skilled physical examination may be all that’s required to diagnose a problem with your facet joints.