Facet Syndrome Pain Treatment in Toronto & Vaughan

What is Facet Syndrome or Spinal Arthritis ?

Facet joints are the small joints between each pair of vertebrae. They allow your spine to twist and bend safely. Each facet joint is lined with cartilage and designed to glide and rotate smoothly, protecting you from back injury.

But when cartilage wears down through trauma, poor posture, or general wear and tear, problems develop. The nerve passageway narrows, causing nerve root irritation and pain. The facet joints themselves deteriorate, leading to swelling and tenderness, pain and stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Bone spurs often form as the body attempts to compensate. This condition is known as facet joint syndrome, also called spinal arthritis.

Facet syndrome can affect the lumbar spine, the cervical spine, or both. In the lumbar facet joint specifically, degeneration is one of the most common contributors to chronic lower back pain in adults.

What are the Symptoms and Causes of Facet Syndrome?

Facet syndrome symptoms can be misleading because they overlap with other conditions like sciatica, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs. The degree to which patients experience pain also varies widely. Symptoms include:

• Swelling, stiffness and pain in the neck or lower back
• Intermittent and unpredictable pain throughout the day
• Pain due to weather changes
• Tenderness over the spot of the facet joint
• Loss in muscle flexibility
• More pronounced pain when leaning backward than when leaning forward
• Low back pain radiating down into the buttocks and back of the upper leg
• Cervical pain
• Headaches
• Pain radiating into the shoulders or upper back
• Pain running down an arm or into the fingers
• A grinding sound when moving the back Abnormal curve of spine
• Increased pain when standing or sitting for prolonged periods

Aging is the most common cause of facet joint syndrome — cartilage naturally thins and dries over time, increasing friction between facet joints. It is not an autoimmune disorder, but the inflammation and pain management challenges it creates can feel similar to other forms of arthritis. Other causes include:

• Acute injury or trauma to the joints
• Repetitive strain through sports or work
• Being overweight, which places excess load on the lumbar spine
• Poor posture that accelerates wear and tear on the cervical spine or lumbar facet joint

Why Pain Management Alone Is Not Enough

Many patients who experience pain from facet syndrome are offered medications to reduce pain or manage inflammation. While these approaches can offer temporary relief, they don’t restore cartilage, improve range of motion, or address the structural deterioration of the facet joints. Without effective spinal arthritis treatment, symptoms typically worsen over time.

Our minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment options address the root cause — not just the symptoms.

Facet Syndrome Treatment Options

Dr. Ron Nusbaum developed a unique three-step system to deliver rapid, non-invasive, and lasting relief. The High-Performance Healing System™ has succeeded where conventional treatment options have failed. The system involves three steps:

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression gently and precisely targets the affected area of the lumbar spine or cervical spine. It reduces nerve root compression, eases inflammation, and helps restore the disc height that supports healthy facet joint function. Think of it as an outside-in approach to healing.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Also called photobiomodulation, this deep-penetrating laser targets damaged tissue at the cellular level. It reduces swelling and tenderness, improves blood flow, and accelerates tissue repair around the affected facet joints. Think of it as an inside-out complement to decompression — working to reduce pain and restore function from within.

Disc Renewal Plus™

This all-natural nutritional supplement was formulated by Dr. Nusbaum to reduce pain and inflammation and support the repair of damaged connective tissue. Available exclusively to Back Clinics of Canada patients, it supports spinal arthritis treatment nutritionally — working alongside laser therapy for comprehensive, lasting care.