Chronic lower back pain doesn’t just slow you down – it can reshape how you live your life. Standing up from a chair, getting out of bed, driving, working, or even sleeping through the night can become daily challenges. When your pain feels deep, stiff, or worse with movement, the source may not be a disc or pinched nerve. It may be coming from the small joints that stabilize your spine.
At Advanced Pain Medical Group, we offer lumbar facet injections as part of a comprehensive spine pain management plan, offering a non-surgical path forward for lasting back relief.
How Lumbar Facet Injections Address Pain At The Source
Lumbar facet injections are a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment designed to calm inflammation within the facet joints of the lower back. This approach is commonly used for chronic low back pain, lumbar arthritis, facet joint disease, and mechanical back pain that hasn’t improved with conservative care.
In addition to relieving pain, lumbar facet injections can also help confirm the exact source of your symptoms – guiding smarter, more effective long-term treatment.
Understanding The Role Of Facet Joints In Lumbar Pain
Your lumbar spine supports most of your body weight and allows bending, twisting, and lifting. Along the back of each vertebra are facet joints, which help control motion and maintain stability. When these joints become irritated or inflamed, everyday movements can trigger persistent pain.
Signs Your Lower Back Pain May Be Facet-Related
- A Deep, Aching Pain In The Lower Back
- Worse With Standing, Twisting, Or Arching Backward
- Better When Sitting Or Leaning Forward
- Mechanical Rather Than Shooting Or Nerve-Like
This pattern is commonly associated with lumbar facet-mediated pain or lumbar facet syndrome, and it’s a frequent cause of ongoing lower back discomfort.
Spinal Conditions Linked To Facet Joint Inflammation
Facet joint inflammation rarely appears overnight. It often develops gradually as the spine changes over time or after stress or injury.
- Spondylosis (Age-Related Spinal Wear & Tear)
- Facet Joint Arthritis Or Lumbar Arthritis
- Degenerative Disc Disease, Which Increases Joint Stress
- Spinal Stenosis, Altering Spinal Mechanics
- Repetitive Strain, Poor Posture, Or Previous Back Injuries
If your pain has lingered despite rest, physical therapy, or medication, the facet joints may be playing a larger role than expected.
How Common Is Facet-Related Lower Back Pain? According to current research, facet joints are a common source of lower back pain, accounting for approximately 15% to 45% of cases, most often due to degenerative arthritis of the spine.
What Are Lumbar Facet Injections & How Do They Work?
Lumbar facet injections – sometimes called spinal facet injections or facet shots for back pain – deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into or around the affected facet joints. Because the medication is placed at the source of inflammation, this treatment can be more effective than oral medications alone.
The Dual Role Of Lumbar Facet Injections
- These injections help calm inflammation in irritated joints to reduce pain and improve movement.
- They can also confirm whether the facet joints are truly responsible for your symptoms.
This dual role makes lumbar facet injections a valuable tool in both short-term relief and long-term treatment planning.
Diagnostic Lumbar Facet Injections & Facet Blocks Explained
If the exact source of your lower back pain isn’t clear, your provider may recommend diagnostic facet blocks. These injections temporarily numb the nerves that supply sensation to the facet joints. If your pain significantly improves after the injection, it confirms that the facet joints are contributing to your symptoms.
This information is especially helpful when evaluating whether you may be a candidate for longer-lasting treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
Types Of Diagnostic Facet Blocks For Lower Back Pain
- Diagnostic Lumbar Facet Injections – an intra-articular facet injection placed directly into the lumbar facet joint itself to confirm the facet joint as a pain source.
- Lumbar Facet Block Injections – an umbrella term referring to any injection intended to block pain signals from the facet joints. May refer to facet joint injection or a medial branch nerve block.
- Lumbar Facet Joint Block – a facet joint–focused block injected into or around the facet joint for diagnostic purposes. Often used interchangeably with diagnostic lumbar facet injections.
- Lumbar Medial Branch Block – A nerve-based diagnostic injection in the medial branch nerves (which supply the facet joints) to test whether pain is coming from the facet joints. Used to determines candidacy for RFA.
Diagnostic facet blocks are used throughout the spine, whether evaluating lower back pain with lumbar injections or identifying facet-related pain in the neck or mid-back using cervical facet injections or thoracic facet injections.
Image-Guided Lumbar Injections For Accuracy & Safety
Precision matters when treating spinal pain. Lumbar facet injections are performed using fluoroscopy-guided spine injections, which provide real-time X-ray imaging during the procedure. This technology plays a critical role in effective lower back pain injections and consistent outcomes.
- Place Medication Exactly Where It’s Needed
- Avoid Surrounding Nerves & Tissues
- Improve Diagnostic Accuracy
- Reduce Procedural Risk
Lower Back Conditions Treated With Lumbar Facet Injections
These conditions are often combined with physical therapy, lifestyle modification, or other interventional spine procedures for a more comprehensive approach to chronic pain.
- Chronic Low Back Pain Or Chronic Lower Back Pain Treatment Needs
- Mechanical Low Back Pain
- Facet Joint Pain Or Facet Joint Pain Treatment
- Lumbar Facet Syndrome
- Degenerative Disc Disease Pain Relief
- Spinal Stenosis Pain Management
- Persistent Pain That Has Not Improved With Conservative Care
Preparing For Your Procedure
Before your procedure, you’ll meet with your provider to review the benefits, possible risks, and answer any questions you may have. Lumbar facet injections are generally safe, but potential side effects can include infection, bleeding, or a temporary increase in pain at the injection site.
What To Expect On The Day of Your Injection
You’ll be awake during the injection, though light sedation may be used in some cases. Continue taking your regular medications, especially blood pressure medications, unless instructed otherwise. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar may temporarily increase. Bring your diabetes medications with you and follow guidance from your care team.
Lumbar facet injections are outpatient procedures and typically take less than 30 minutes to complete. Most people return to normal activities within a day, making this a low-disruption option for ongoing back pain.
- Local Anesthesia Keeps You Comfortable
- Image Guidance Is Used For Precise Needle Placement
- Both Anesthetic & Anti-inflammatory Medication Are Injected
- You’ll Experience A Brief Recovery Period Before Going Home
Are Lumbar Facet Injections Safe?
Lumbar facet injections are generally well tolerated. Mild, temporary side effects may include soreness or stiffness at the injection site, mild swelling or bruising, and temporary numbness or heaviness. More serious complications are uncommon. Your provider will review your medical history and explain risks in detail so you can feel informed and confident moving forward.
How Long Your Pain Relief May Last
Relief timelines vary. You may notice improvement within days, or experience gradual relief over one to two weeks. Pain relief may last weeks or months, depending on the severity of your joint inflammation and the underlying condition.
How Lumbar Facet Injections Support Long-Term Pain Management
- Calm Inflammation During Pain Flares
- Improve Mobility & Daily Function
- Support Rehabilitation Efforts
- Help Determine Next-Step Treatments, Including Radiofrequency Ablation
Frequently Asked Questions About Lumbar Facet Injections
No. Lumbar facet injections target the facet joints, while epidural injections focus on spinal nerves. Each treats different sources of back pain.
Lumbar facet injections are not a cure, but they can significantly reduce pain and inflammation. They are often part of a broader spine pain management strategy.
The number depends on your diagnosis, response to treatment, and overall care plan. Your provider will recommend a safe and appropriate schedule.
Yes. These injections are commonly used as a shot for arthritis in the lumbar spine, helping reduce joint inflammation and stiffness.
If you experience significant relief from a lumbar medial branch block, you may be a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, which can provide longer-lasting pain relief.
Find Relief With Lumbar Facet Injections In Los Angeles
You don’t have to live around your lower back pain or accept it as part of daily life. If your pain feels mechanical, movement-related, or tied to spinal arthritis, lumbar facet injections may provide both relief and clarity about what’s causing your symptoms. Schedule a consultation with Advanced Pain Medical Group today to explore lumbar facet injections in Los Angeles and discover a targeted, non-surgical approach to lasting spine pain relief.