Zygapophyseal joints are also called
facet joints. Facet is a bit easier to pronounce than zygapophyseal,
and Executive Chiropractic of Iowa knows ‘facet’ is much easier to type than 'zygaopophyseal’! These joints are documented to be the source of cervical spine
pain for countless adults of all ages. Executive Chiropractic of Iowa provides
gentle chiropractic spinal manipulation to ease
neck pain like that created by facet joint innervation.
FOUNDATIONAL STUDY
Mapping of normal volunteers’
responses to stimulation of cervical facet joints in the 1990s was groundbreaking.
Five volunteers stepped up to have their cervical spine facet
joints stimulated to see where neck pain and arm pain were observed.
Amazing! These volunteers’ pain reactions allowed for the making of easy-to-understand
pain charts. (1) A follow up study of 10 patients with cervical spine pain compared their pain to that described
in the normal volunteers’ pain drawings to confirm the initial
charts from normal volunteers. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa sees confirmation
of these normal volunteers’ pain reports in our West Des Moines neck pain
patients! Decompression of spinal nerves with chiropractic helps.
NEW INFORMATION ON CERVICAL FACET JOINTS
New information from a current-day
dissection project included new knowledge to the part
cervical facet joints (aka zygapophyseal joints) have in
neck pain and arm pain. At some levels, more than one medial branch was seen.
Direct facet joint branches were found that came
from the dorsal root of the spinal nerve. These were separate
from the medial branches in their direct route to the facet
joint. Current day researchers wonder whether there is a more diverse pattern
of innervation than has previously been noted. (3)
Executive Chiropractic of Iowa appreciates the nuances of spine pain and the research that found them.
EXAM AND TREATMENT
Clinical observation, examination, and imaging findings
lead 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 is why your
West Des Moines chiropractor takes time in examining, diagnosing and
treating West Des Moines neck pain. There are many
factors to take into account! Our Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management is soothing, non-thrust manipulative
treatment of the cervical spine for West Des Moines neck pain relief.
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
Listen to the PODCAST
with Dr. Sean Delahunt on the
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
explains the effectiveness and gentleness
of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management for his male patient with neck pain and tingling in
his arm and hand.
Make your next West Des Moines
chiropractic appointment with Executive Chiropractic of Iowa. Pick your term: zygapophyseal
or facet! We are here to talk, diagnose, and
treat them for relief of neck and arm pain.
"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."