Lumbar Facet Joint Pain in Mona Vale
Lumbar facet joints are small joints at the back of the spine that help guide and control movement. When they become sensitive or irritated, they can contribute to localised low back pain and stiffness, particularly with certain movements or prolonged positions.
What is Lumbar Facet Joint Pain?
Facet joints connect neighbouring vertebrae and allow the lumbar spine to bend, rotate and extend while providing stability.
These joints can become painful following increased loading, repetitive movement, injury or age-related changes. Facet joint changes are also commonly seen on imaging without causing symptoms, so assessment is important to determine whether they are likely to be contributing to your pain.
Common Symptoms
Localised pain on one side of the lower back
Pain or stiffness with backward bending or rotation
Pain after prolonged standing
Pain into the buttock or upper thigh
Local tenderness around the lower back
Reduced or painful lumbar movement
How We Assess Lumbar Facet Joint Pain
Different structures in the lower back can produce very similar symptoms, and imaging findings such as facet joint degeneration do not necessarily mean the joint is causing your pain.
Assessment may include lumbar movement, repeated or combined movements, palpation, neurological screening and assessment of your hip and lower-limb strength and mobility.
The aim is to identify the most likely source of your symptoms and the movement, strength or loading factors that can be addressed through treatment and rehabilitation.
How We Treat Lumbar Facet Joint Pain
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Exercise rehabilitation
Strength and mobility exercises
Activity and load modification
Gradual return to work, gym or sport
Education and self-management
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Facet joints can become sensitive following increased or repetitive loading, injury or age-related changes. In many cases, there is no single identifiable cause.
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No. Degenerative facet joint changes are common as we age and are frequently found in people without back pain. Imaging findings need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and examination.
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Yes. Progressive exercise can improve strength, movement and your tolerance to the activities that currently aggravate your back.
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Temporarily modifying painful movements can help settle symptoms, but the long-term goal is generally to gradually restore comfortable movement rather than permanently avoiding it.
Common Questions
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
If persistent lower back pain is affecting your work, training or everyday activities, we can assess what's contributing and develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan.