When people describe their back as “locking up” or say they feel a pinch when they twist or lean, the facet joints are often involved. These small joints sit at the back of each vertebra and help guide the movement of your spine—bending, rotating, and stabilizing you with every step, stretch, and lift.
Each facet joint is lined with smooth cartilage and surrounded by a small capsule that allows for easy, gliding motion. But when these joints become irritated, inflamed, or worn down, they stop moving the way they’re meant to. That’s when Facet Joint Syndrome can show up.
You might notice symptoms like:
-
Sharp or aching pain in the neck or lower back
-
Pain that feels worse when you lean backward or twist
-
Stiffness after sitting or sleeping
-
Muscle spasms or a “locked” sensation
-
Pain that stays in one spot (unlike sciatica, which travels down the leg)
Facet issues can be triggered by everyday wear and tear, poor posture, sudden injury, or simply getting older. I often see it in people who spend a lot of time sitting, driving, or repeatedly bending and lifting. Over time, the cartilage in the facet joints can thin, or the joint capsules can become inflamed—both of which make movement uncomfortable.
A chiropractic approach looks closely at how each facet joint is moving, how the surrounding muscles are behaving, and what might be overworking or compensating. When these joints get “stuck” or irritated, restoring proper motion is key. Gentle adjustments can help the joints glide the way they’re meant to, while soft-tissue work and mobility exercises support long-term relief.
Facet Joint Syndrome can feel frustrating because the pain often flares with very simple movements. But once we improve the mechanics of the spine—and teach the surrounding muscles to support those joints better—most people find that stiffness fades, movement comes back, and their back feels more like themselves again.