Facet joints are small joints in the spine that help guide movement. When they become irritated or arthritic, they can cause neck or back pain—often worse with certain positions or movements. At Mountain View Pain Center, we help identify what’s driving your symptoms and build a plan to reduce pain and restore comfortable motion.
Also known as: Facet Syndrome, Facet Arthropathy, or Facet Joint Arthritis (sometimes called Facet Joint Disease).
When to Seek Urgent Care
Seek urgent evaluation if you have new or worsening weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, saddle numbness, severe unrelenting pain after trauma, fever/chills, or rapidly worsening numbness/tingling.
Because spine pain can come from multiple sources, we focus on identifying patterns that suggest facet joint irritation. Your visit may include a review of symptom triggers, movement testing (especially extension and rotation), and assessment of spinal mobility, posture, and surrounding muscles. If symptoms include radiating pain, numbness, or tingling, we may also perform a basic neurologic screen. We also check for red flags to determine whether imaging or referral is appropriate.
At Mountain View Pain Center, our multidisciplinary team combines evidence-based care to reduce joint irritation and improve movement:
Targeted diagnostic injections and image-guided procedures when appropriate to reduce inflammation and calm irritated joints or nerves.
Movement-based care to improve mobility, strengthen supporting muscles, and build stability to reduce stress on the facet joints.
Hands-on care to support joint mobility and reduce muscle tension, tailored to your symptoms and comfort.
A natural option to support pain relief and relaxation, often combined with your broader plan.
Every clinic below has Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture and Pain Management on one chart, so care can move between them without a new referral.
Downtown out through the north, west, south and east suburbs.
Academy, Interquest and Tenderfoot cover the north, central and south of the city.
Harmony in Fort Collins and our Greeley clinic serve Larimer and Weld counties.
Across the Valley, from the West Valley through Phoenix to the East Valley.
It’s pain that comes from irritation or arthritis in the facet joints—small joints in the spine that guide movement.
Facet pain is often worse with leaning back or twisting and may feel more localized. Disc issues more commonly cause radiating nerve symptoms, though symptoms can overlap.
Not always. If your symptoms or exam suggest imaging would help guide care, we’ll recommend the appropriate next step.
Many people improve with mobility, strength, and movement retraining—often combining PT, Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, and, when appropriate, Pain Management procedures.
In some cases, targeted diagnostic injections or image-guided procedures can help reduce inflammation and confirm pain sources. We’ll discuss options if appropriate.
Often, no. Some insurance plans require a referral or authorization—if you’re unsure, we can help verify.
The examination points one way or the other, and where it matters, a diagnostic block is used to confirm it. The answer decides whether radiofrequency ablation is worth considering.
Often, yes. Chiropractic care and Physical Therapy aimed at restoring motion and unloading the joint are the first step, and the interventional route is considered when that does not settle it.
Facet Joint Syndrome is treated at every Mountain View Pain Center clinic in Colorado and Arizona — see the full clinic map, Colorado or Arizona.
