A TYPICAL TREATMENT FOR ACUTE FACET JOINT (Locked Back) ARTHROPATHY
Purpose:
To disperse joint swelling and inflammation, relieve muscle spasm
- Rocking knees to the chest (60 seconds)
Rest (30 seconds)
- Rocking knees to the chest
Rest
- Rocking knees to the chest
Rest
- Rocking knees to the chest
Rest
- Reverse curl-ups (five times)
Rest
- Reverse curl-ups
Rest
- Reverse curl-ups
Rest
- Rest in bed and use medication under the direction of your doctor. NSAIDs are particularly effective in reducing the pain from the inflamed joint so painkillers are not usually necessary.
- Repeat exercises every 2 hours throughout the day.
- When resting, you may be more comfortable in the foetal position with a pillow between the knees to decompress the joint.
For how long?
You can progress to the sub-acute regimen when there is no flooding pins and needles pain down the leg, either when standing up from sitting or when taking weight on the leg. This can take a week to ten days, though it may be sooner.
A TYPICAL TREATMENT FOR SUB-ACUTE FACET JOINT ARTHROPATHY
Purpose:
To disperse inflammation, relieve muscle spasm, disengage the jamming of the segments.
- Rocking knees to the chest (for 60 seconds)
- Rolling along the spine (15-30 seconds)
- Curl-ups (five times)
Rest
- Rocking knees to the chest
- Rolling along the spine (pivoting on sore spot)
- Curl-ups
Rest
- Rocking knees to the chest
- Rolling along the spine
- Curl-ups
Rest
- Rocking knees to the chest
- Rolling along the spine
- Curl-ups
Rest
- Repeat the regimen three times daily. After each session, rest on the floor for ten minutes with your lower, legs supported on a sofa or soft chair, and a pillow under your head.
- Do not be alarmed if pivoting on the problem level causes a sharp pain in the back or even leg pain. When up and about, avoid sitting in one position, or standing for too long. (this will usually bring on the pain down the leg).
- Have two brief walks per day (less than fifteen minutes): you should walk tall and light and let your hips swing freely so the low back twists from left to right.
For how long?
You should progress to the chronic treatment regimen when there is no leg pain. This usually takes a week to ten days but it may be much sooner.