Low Back & Pelvis

Lumbar Facet Syndrome

Also called: Facet joint arthropathy

Pain from the small paired joints on the back of the lumbar spine — a leading cause of mechanical low back pain, especially in extension-heavy patterns (arching sports, prolonged standing) and with age-related joint change. Refers into the buttock and thigh but rarely below the knee.

Common signs

Localized low back pain beside the spine
Worse with arching back, standing long, or transitioning from sitting to standing
Referred ache into buttock/back of thigh, not past the knee
Morning stiffness that eases with movement

Seek help now if

True nerve symptoms below the knee (think radiculopathy instead)
Night pain with systemic symptoms
Trauma or osteoporosis with new pain

If any of these is sudden or severe, call 911 or go to an emergency room. For the others, get examined before you start self-care.

What to do first

Exam localizes the involved levels; extension-rotation testing typically reproduces the pain
Early motion restoration plus temporary reduction of extension-loaded activities
Heat and short frequent walks

The longer road

Chronic facet pain responds to joint care combined with hip flexor mobility and core endurance — an anteriorly-tilted, extension-compressed posture feeds it
Stubborn, well-localized cases can be confirmed with diagnostic blocks while conservative care continues

Natural healing options we use

Specific chiropractic adjusting
Manual therapy for quadratus lumborum and paraspinals
Attended e-stim and PEMF
Hip flexor mobility + anti-extension core work (planks, dead bugs)

About imaging

X-rays show facet arthritis but correlate imperfectly with pain; diagnosis is primarily clinical.

Daily self-care

Knees-to-chest and child's-pose positions for relief
Hip flexor stretching daily
Limit prolonged standing during flares; use a foot rail

Book a visit Call 469-620-6245 All conditions

How we can help

Keep working on it at home

Once you have been examined and cleared to load it, these free home programs cover this part of the body.

Low back Bulletproofing Hips & pelvis Bulletproofing The Body Audit: test your own range

More in Low Back & Pelvis

Lumbar Sprain/Strain Lumbar Disc Herniation Sciatica / Lumbar Radiculopathy Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Spondylolysis Spondylolisthesis Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction Piriformis Syndrome / Deep Gluteal Pain Coccydynia Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle & Low Back Pain Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Please read: this page is education, not a diagnosis. A proper examination is how a condition gets confirmed and a plan gets built. See our medical disclaimer.