Low Back Pain: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It..

Lumbar Facet Pain

What is Lumbar Facet Joint Pain? How is it Identified?

Lumbar Facet pain is specific pain that arises from the joints surface or ligaments located on each vertebrae. The purpose of these joints is to allow movement (backwards / Forwards bending) but limits how far you can go.

These small joints often get irritated during backwards extension of the spine either from repetitive lifting or an excessive arched low back posture placing more pressure on these joint surfaces. Over-time this increases sensitivity.

Common Symptoms:

• Pain on one side of your lower back

• Sharp or pinching pain when bending backwards or twisting

• Stiffness after sitting or first thing in the morning

• Pain that stays mostly in the lower back (doesn’t travel far down the leg)

• Feels “locked” or restricted

Usually feels like:
“I’ve tweaked something”
“It feels stuck or jammed”
“Sharp pain when I move a certain way”

Key Concept: "Load vs Capacity Imbalance"

This pain occurs when the load on your body exceeds what its currently able to handle. Think of load like exercise, gym, prolonged sitting, lifting. Now think of capacity as strength, coordination, mobility.

What we find is everyday people who sit all day and then suddenly get into high intensity exercises tend to experience this back pain more than ever. The technological world has part to blame however we as humans are designed to move.

Why has it happened now?

Back pain is rarely from one incident alone. We tend to see an accumulation of tight muscles and poor postures. Combine this with forceful movement or increased load and pain can set in. Movement dysfunction is the main driver to pain - Rather than your body working together, it is forcing one and other to complete the movement. We need movement synergy more than ever!

What are the Benefits of Physio for Lumbar Facet Joint Pain?

Physiotherapy will focus on what is causing your current symptoms. Reduce the pain using our pain relief modalities and guide your body back to full mobility (stretches) and building life-long foundational strength (Endurance & Strength rehab exercises). This is the key!

Overall our goals are the same as yours. Getting you back to what you need to do. If you think you are ready to finally sort your low back pain click below to make an appointment with us.

• Lets Take a Second to Understand Your Pain

• The Rehab Club - Cadyn Bennett Physiotherapist