Cervical Facet sprain

The cervical spine (neck) consists of 7 separate vertebrae which are named from the top to the bottom as C1 to C7.Two facet or zygaopophyseal joints are located at the back of each vertebra and are the bony links between the vertebra above and below by means of a superior articular and inferior articular process.

The facet joints are termed synovial joints with hyaline cartilage, synovial lining and a joint capsule containing synovial fluid. The joint capsule wraps around the facet joints providing additional support. The facet joints are richly innervated by both pain and pressure receptors and therefore if a facet joint is injured, it can become very painful. 

Any movement of the neck which excessively stretches or compresses the facet joints can injure these structures resulting in a facet sprain or a facet syndrome. These symptoms may arise  secondary to trauma such as after a "whiplash type injury" or may gradually be felt following no defining activity. At our chiropractic clinic in EC2, we frequently come across patients who overloaded the lower neck facet joints secondary to hinging through the lower cervical spine from prolonged periods of time spent in front of their workstation with a faulty posture.

Symptoms arising from this condition can be very varied due to the compensatory muscle spasm and joint locking that can can take place. In adddition, the patient may have referred pain away from the site of injury such as into the upper aspect of the mid back and shoulders and head.

Facet sprain treatment

Our city based chiropractors frequently diagnose patients with facet joints sprains. Treatment is focused on relieving associated symptoms such as headaches, migraines, neck and shoulder girdle pain. This is addressed through a package of care including soft tissue work (massage), spinal manipulation and mobilisation.

Postural exercises may be prescribed to help strengthen up the muscles which are weaker along with stretches for the tightened muscles. In addition, all our chiropractors have recieved up to date training in Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment and frequently advise work station ergonomics.

If we do not feel your complaint is approriate for chiropractic care or it is sin't responding we will refer you to your GP or a member of medical consulting team. Typically, more invasive forms of treatment for this complaint include intraarticular facet injections and facet denervation.