Does Facet Joint Pain Go Away
Facet joint pain is one of those things that sneaks up on you. One day your back feels fine, the next it’s tight, sharp, or just constantly aching. These little joints between your vertebrae do a lot of heavy lifting (literally), keeping your spine stable and letting you twist, bend, and move without friction.
When they get irritated, though, every movement reminds you they exist. So, does facet joint pain go away on its own?
Sometimes. But not always. It depends on what’s going on underneath the surface: inflammation, wear and tear, posture, or something more structural.
Let’s talk about that a bit more in the next sections.
What Is Facet Joint Pain?
Facet joints are pairs of small joints that connect the bones of your spine. They allow your spine to bend and twist while preventing excessive movement that could damage the spinal cord or discs.
Each joint is surrounded by cartilage and lubricated by synovial fluid to ensure smooth motion.
Facet joint pain occurs when these joints become inflamed, injured, or worn down. This is often due to arthritis, repetitive strain, or misalignment.
When the cartilage breaks down or inflammation sets in, the nerves surrounding the joint can become irritated. You might notice:
Local stiffness, especially in the morning
Pain when you lean backward or twist
A dull ache that doesn’t really go away
Maybe a bit of radiating soreness down the shoulders or hips
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Facet joint pain doesn’t have just one cause. Most people trace it back to wear and tear, movement patterns, and lifestyle factors.
Some of the most common causes include:
Aging: Cartilage naturally thins out with time. Happens to everyone.
Poor posture: Sitting crooked or slouching for hours — yep, that’ll do it.
Repetitive movements: Lifting, twisting, long drives, or standing all day.
Injury or trauma: A car accident, a bad fall, or a sports hit years ago can still haunt you.
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis often finds its way into these joints as we get older.
While facet joint pain is common, understanding why it occurs is key to effective treatment and to preventing it from coming back.
Can Facet Joint Pain Go Away on Its Own?
Sometimes, yes. If it’s just irritation from a long week at the desk or a new workout routine, it might ease up with rest, gentle movement, and a bit of patience.
But if it’s tied to arthritis, spinal misalignment, or long-term wear, it tends to stick around. One study suggested facet joints are involved in about 27–40% of chronic low back pain cases. This explains why so many people deal with it for months instead of days.
Short answer? While short-term relief is possible, lasting improvement depends on restoring proper joint alignment and function. The chronic ones usually need some hands-on help to truly heal.
How Long Does Facet Joint Pain Last?
There’s no exact timeline, but here’s roughly what to expect:
Mild inflammation or irritation: May subside in a few days to a few weeks with rest and conservative care.
Moderate or chronic pain: Can last several weeks to months, especially if joint degeneration or arthritis is involved.
Untreated facet joint issues: May lead to long-term stiffness, decreased mobility, and recurring flare-ups.
Your recovery depends on posture, muscle strength, overall spinal health, and how soon you start treating it properly. Waiting too long? Consider visiting a trusted chiropractor Charleston SC from Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness to speed up your recovery.
Treatment Options for Facet Joint Pain
There’s no magic pill to treat facet joint pain right away. But there are non-invasive, natural ways to handle it.
1) Conservative Care
For mild cases, rest and self-care can help reduce inflammation:
Use ice to calm swelling during the first 24–48 hours, followed by gentle heat to relax muscles.
Avoid long periods of sitting or standing. Alternate positions throughout the day.
Perform light stretching to maintain flexibility.
Short-term use of anti-inflammatory medications may relieve temporary discomfort.
While these steps can provide relief, they don’t correct structural misalignments which is often the root cause.
2) Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring spinal alignment and improving joint mobility. When the vertebrae are properly aligned, the facet joints can move freely without irritation or pressure on nearby nerves.
Here at Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness, a chiropractor in Charleston, SC, we use precise spinal adjustments to:
Reduce inflammation and stiffness in the facet joints
Restore normal motion between vertebrae
Relieve pressure on irritated nerves
Promote long-term healing and mobility
High-quality evidence indicates that spinal manipulative therapy can reduce pain and improve function for chronic low back pain, on average, with effects comparable to other recommended therapies.
Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free approach that supports your body’s natural healing process without the risks of surgery or long-term medication use.
3) Physical Therapy & Exercise
Strengthening and stretching exercises are essential to stabilize the spine and prevent future flare-ups. Core exercises, gentle yoga, or guided physical therapy can:
Improve posture
Support spinal alignment
Increase joint flexibility
Reduce pressure on affected joints
Your chiropractor can recommend specific stretches or routines tailored to your condition.
4) Medical Interventions
For severe or chronic cases, medical treatments like facet joint injections or radiofrequency ablation may be used to temporarily block pain signals.
However, these treatments typically address symptoms, not the root cause. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, helps restore the natural mechanics of the spine for lasting relief.
Quick Tips to Prevent Facet Joint Pain Recurrence
Once you’re out of pain, the goal is staying that way. A few habits that genuinely help includes:
Regular chiropractic adjustments to keep your spine aligned.
Practice good posture, especially when sitting at a desk or driving.
Stay active with low-impact exercises like swimming or walking.
Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your joints.
Stretch daily, especially after sitting or long work hours.
Manage stress and get proper rest, since tension and fatigue can worsen pain.
The spine likes consistency. So keep it moving, keep it aligned.
When to See a Charleston SC Chiropractor
You don’t have to wait until you can barely move. It’s worth getting checked if:
Pain lasts longer than two weeks
Discomfort radiates into your shoulders, buttocks, or legs
You experience stiffness or difficulty bending and twisting
Pain worsens with certain movements or positions
Early chiropractic intervention can reduce inflammation, prevent degeneration, and restore movement before pain becomes chronic.
Conclusion
So, does facet joint pain go away? Sometimes yes, sometimes not without help.
If it’s mild, it might fade with rest and movement. But persistent or recurring pain usually means something deeper needs to be corrected.
At Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness, the focus is on getting your spine moving the way it’s meant to. Real alignment, real function. Not just masking pain for a few days.
If this sounds like what you’ve been dealing with, don’t just wait it out. Book your consultation with us today and start getting your spine back on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best sleeping position for facet joint pain?
The best sleeping position is on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your knees. These positions keep your spine neutral and reduce pressure on the joints. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, which can strain the spine.
Do facet joint problems show on MRI?
Yes, MRI scans can reveal inflammation, swelling, and degeneration in facet joints. However, some functional joint problems may not appear on imaging. A chiropractic assessment can help identify motion-related issues not visible on MRI.
Will a chiropractor fix facet joint pain?
Chiropractors can often reduce or eliminate facet joint pain by realigning the spine and restoring joint motion. This helps decrease inflammation and nerve irritation. Many patients notice improved mobility and less pain after a few treatments.
How long does it take for an inflamed facet joint to heal?
Mild inflammation may heal in a few days to a few weeks. More severe or chronic cases can take 6–12 weeks or longer. Consistent Charleston chiropractic care and proper posture can speed up recovery.
Is facet joint pain arthritis?
Facet joint pain is often caused by facet joint arthritis, where cartilage wears down over time. However, not all cases are arthritic. Some result from injury or misalignment. A chiropractor in Charleston, SC can help determine the cause and provide targeted care.