Facet Joint Pain in the Neck: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Neck pain can be more than just a stiff or sore feeling—it can interfere with daily life, limit your movement, and affect sleep, work, and exercise. One common but often overlooked source of neck pain is facet joint dysfunction. 

These small joints, located at the back of the spine, can become inflamed or irritated, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Quick Summary

Facet joint pain in the neck occurs when the small joints connecting the bones in your cervical spine become irritated or inflamed. It’s often caused by poor posture, injury, or wear and tear. Symptoms can include localised neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. Fortunately, physiotherapy or chiropractic care can provide relief by improving joint mobility, reducing inflammation, and correcting movement patterns.

What Are Facet Joints?

Facet joints are small joints located on each side of the spine. They connect the vertebrae together and help guide and limit movement. In the neck (or cervical spine), these joints help you turn your head, bend, and look up or down smoothly.

Each joint is surrounded by a capsule filled with fluid, allowing for easy movement. But when these joints are overloaded, compressed, or inflamed, they can cause pain and restrict motion—especially with certain neck movements.

Causes of Facet Joint Pain in the Neck

There are several reasons why your neck’s facet joints might become irritated or inflamed:

1. Poor Posture

Long hours spent looking down at a phone, laptop, or desk can place ongoing strain on the cervical spine. This forward-head posture increases pressure on the facet joints, leading to inflammation and discomfort over time. It's one of the leading contributors to neck pain in office workers, students, and anyone who works at a screen.

2. Repetitive Movements

Jobs or sports that involve frequent neck turning, lifting, or looking up—such as tradespeople, athletes, and dental professionals—can gradually wear down the joint surfaces. Repeating these movements daily without adequate recovery can irritate the joint capsules and surrounding muscles.

3. Whiplash or Trauma

Sudden impact injuries, like whiplash from a car accident or a fall, can jolt the neck and compress or overstretch the facet joints. This trauma can cause joint inflammation, stiffness, and even long-term joint instability if not properly treated.

4. Age-Related Degeneration

As we get older, it’s normal for spinal joints to show some wear and tear. This condition, known as facet joint osteoarthritis or spondylosis, occurs when the cartilage within the joints breaks down, leading to joint space narrowing, stiffness, and pain.

5. Muscle Imbalance and Weakness

When the muscles around the neck and upper back are weak or imbalanced, the body compensates by relying more on passive structures—like joints and ligaments—for support. Over time, this added stress can irritate the facet joints, especially during physical activity or long periods of inactivity.

6. Prolonged Inactivity or Sedentary Lifestyle

Sitting for extended periods without proper posture or movement breaks can lead to deconditioning and joint compression. This inactivity reduces joint lubrication and mobility, contributing to stiffness and pain, particularly in the neck and upper back.

7. Incorrect Exercise Technique

Even well-meaning gym-goers can trigger facet joint pain if movements like shoulder presses, cleans, or deadlifts are performed with poor head or neck alignment. Straining the neck during heavy lifts or repeated movements can overload the cervical spine.

Symptoms of Cervical Facet Joint Pain

Facet joint pain can vary from mild stiffness to persistent pain that affects your quality of life. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Localised pain on one or both sides of the neck

• Stiffness, especially after waking up or long periods of sitting

• Pain when turning the head, tilting, or looking up

• Headaches, often starting at the base of the skull

• Muscle tightness in the shoulders or upper back

• Referral pain into the upper back, but rarely into the arms or hands

The pain often feels deep and dull, and may improve with rest or heat, but worsens with prolonged activity or poor posture.

Diagnosing Facet Joint Pain

A diagnosis is typically made through a thorough physical examination by a physiotherapist or chiropractor. This may include:

• Assessing neck range of motion

• Palpating the joints to identify tenderness

• Testing neck movement patterns and posture

• Ruling out other sources of neck pain such as nerve impingement

In some cases, imaging like an MRI or CT scan may be used to check for degeneration, but this is not always necessary for diagnosis or treatment.

Treatment for Facet Joint Pain in the Neck

The goal of treatment is to relieve pain, restore mobility, and prevent further irritation. A personalised plan may include:

1. Manual Therapy

Hands-on treatment like joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, or gentle manipulation to reduce joint stiffness and improve movement.

2. Postural Correction

Improving your workstation set-up, sleep posture, and daily habits to reduce strain on the cervical spine.

3. Strengthening and Mobility Exercises

Building strength in your deep neck flexors, scapular stabilisers, and upper back muscles helps support the spine and prevent future issues.

4. Dry Needling or Trigger Point Therapy

To release tight muscles and reduce referred pain in the neck and shoulders.

5. Education and Activity Modifications

Helping you understand what aggravates the joint and how to move better during work, training, and daily activities.

In some persistent or severe cases, medical interventions such as anti-inflammatory medication or joint injections may be used in conjunction with conservative care.

Find Lasting Neck Pain Relief at Elite Health & Performance

Struggling with recurring neck pain or stiffness? At Elite Health & Performance, our experienced team of chiropractors and physiotherapists are trained to get to the root of the problem—not just treat the symptoms. We’ll assess your movement, identify what’s contributing to your pain, and create a tailored plan to get you back on track.

Get in touch today and let us help you move, feel, and live better—without neck pain holding you back.

Key Takeaways

• Facet joint pain in the neck is a common cause of stiffness and localised discomfort.

• It’s often linked to poor posture, repetitive strain, or age-related wear and tear.

• Symptoms include reduced neck mobility, local pain, and tension headaches.

• Physiotherapy and chiropractic care can improve joint mobility and reduce pain.

• Long-term relief often involves strengthening, mobility work, and postural correction.

FAQ: 

Is facet joint pain permanent?
No, in most cases it’s manageable with proper treatment. While degeneration can’t be reversed, symptoms can be reduced significantly with the right care.

Can neck facet joint pain cause headaches?
Yes. Many people experience tension-type headaches or pain referred to the base of the skull due to tightness around the upper cervical joints.

Is exercise safe with facet joint pain?
Yes, once your symptoms are under control. A physio or chiropractor can guide you through gentle, targeted exercises to strengthen and support your neck.

How do I know if it’s a facet joint issue or a disc problem?
Facet joint pain usually causes localised stiffness, while disc issues may cause nerve-related symptoms like tingling or shooting pain. A clinical assessment can help determine the cause.