Managing Facet Joint Disease Treatment at Work

September 14, 2012/100 Comments/in Conditions, Neck Pain Relief Tips, Prevention, Treatments /by LSI

If you are adhering to a facet joint disease treatment regimen prescribed by your doctor, you may be trying a wide range of therapies aimed at reducing back or neck pain and increasing spinal mobility. Some treatments, like applying hot/cold compresses or stretching, can be done at home, while others, like physical therapy or corticosteroid injections, require the supervision of a medical professional.

Although home remedies and those administered by a doctor can help, many struggle to manage facet joint disease treatment at work and experience exacerbated symptoms of back or neck pain in the workplace. Whether you’re on your feet all day, sitting at a desk for hours on end, or you’re simply stressed and find that your muscles tend to tense up at work, being on the job can take a toll on anyone’s spine – and this wear and tear is only compounded when you already suffer from a degenerative condition like facet joint disease.

Simple Steps to Treat Back Pain at Work

Consider talking to your doctor about ways that you can adapt your treatment routine to fit your daily schedule at work. While it may not be realistic to perform a series of stretching exercises in your office’s conference room, there are certainly ways to create a healthier environment for your spine.

Consider the following options to mitigate back or neck pain at work:

Apply heat or cold – The application of hot and/or cold compresses helps your spine in several ways. Heat can relax muscles surrounding your stiff and sore spinal joints, which may relieve pressure and reduce pain. Conversely, ice helps to reduce inflammation and swelling while also numbing pain. If you sit throughout the day, take advantage of this time to apply compresses. If you are very active at work, try body glove compresses that can be wrapped around your back or neck and held securely in place. Many of these compresses can simply be kept in the freezer or heated up in a microwave.
Stay active – If you’re experiencing joint pain, you may be hesitant to move around too much for fear of aggravating your condition. However, staying as active as possible is actually important to maintain circulation, increase flexibility, and enhance muscle strength. Becoming sedentary when joint pain sets in can cause more joint stiffness, joint lockage, and pain. If you have a fairly sedentary job, take every opportunity you can to walk and stretch.
Maintain proper posture – Regardless of whether you sit all day or spend eight hours waiting tables, maintaining proper posture is essential when it comes to managing joint pain. Slouching or standing with a sway back takes your spine out of its neutral position and forces it to distribute pressure unevenly. This can put excess stress on the joints and exacerbate the symptoms of facet joint disease. When sitting, keep your shoulders back, your feet flat on the floor, and your chin parallel with the floor. Ergonomic back supports for your chair may also prove helpful. When standing, keep your shoulders back, your buttocks tucked under, and your weight evenly distributed.

When a facet joint disease treatment plan is followed consistently, most patients will be able to find sufficient relief from their back or neck pain. The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that no matter where treatment takes place – at home, work, or the doctor’s office – you must communicate closely with your doctor so that he or she can stay updated on your progress.