Zygapophyseal joints are also called
facet joints. Facet is a bit simpler to pronounce than zygapophyseal,
and Spinal Care Clinic knows ‘facet’ is much easier to type than 'zygaopophyseal’! These joints are well-documented as
sources of cervical spine
pain for countless adults of all ages. Spinal Care Clinic uses
gentle chiropractic spinal manipulation to ease
neck pain like that created by facet joint innervation.
FOUNDATIONAL STUDY
The plotting of normal volunteers’
responses to stimulation of cervical facet joints in the 1990s was foundational.
Five volunteers stepped up to have their cervical spine facet
joints irritated to see where neck pain and arm pain were observed.
Amazing! These volunteers’ pain responses allowed for the making of easy-to-read
pain charts. (1) A follow up study of 10 patients with cervical spine pain compared their pain to that noted
in the pain drawings of the normal
volunteers to confirm the original
charts from normal volunteers. (2) Spinal Care Clinic sees confirmation
of these normal volunteers’ pain reports in our Burlington and Hamilton neck pain
patients! Decompression of spinal nerves with chiropractic helps.
NEW INPUT ON CERVICAL FACET JOINTS
New details from a current-day
dissection project added new knowledge to the role
cervical facet joints (aka zygapophyseal joints) exhibit in
neck pain and arm pain. At some levels, more than one medial branch was found.
Direct facet joint branches were seen that came
from the dorsal root of the spinal nerve. These were independent
from the medial branches in their direct route to the facet
joint. Current day researchers wonder whether there is a more varied pattern
of innervation than has previously been noted. (3)
Spinal Care Clinic appreciates the nuances of spine pain and the research that discovered them.
EXAM AND TREATMENT
Clinical observation, examination, and imaging results
guide the diagnosis of neck pain given the complexity
of cervical facet joints. (4) The cervical spine facet joint is innervated by
mechanoreceptive (mechanical pressure-inducing) and nociceptive (nervous system
related pain-inducing) nerve fibers involving the dorsal root
ganglia and end processes of the spinal cord. The central nervous
system is complex and responsive to these painful stimuli,
both pressure and nerve related. (5) That’s why your
Burlington and Hamilton chiropractor takes such care in examining, diagnosing and
treating Burlington and Hamilton neck pain. There are a multitude of
factors to consider! Our Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management is gentle, non-thrust spinal manipulation of the cervical spine for Burlington and Hamilton neck pain relief.
CONTACT Spinal Care Clinic
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. Sean Delahunt on the
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
shares the effectiveness and gentleness
of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management for his gentleman patient with neck pain and tingling in
his arm and hand.
Schedule your next Burlington and Hamilton
chiropractic appointment with Spinal Care Clinic. Pick your term: zygapophyseal
or facet! We’re here to talk, diagnose, and
treat them for neck and arm pain relief.
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."