Facet joint injections are a common treatment for people dealing with spine-related pain, especially when the facet joints become inflamed or arthritic. While many patients experience noticeable improvement, not everyone responds the same way. If your facet joint injection didn’t provide the relief you were hoping for, it can feel discouraging, but there are many other options to consider. At Vanguard Spine & Sport in Memorial and Houston Heights, our team specializes in guiding patients toward effective, non-surgical alternatives to manage and overcome facet joint pain.
Why Facet Joint Injections May Not Work for Your Back Pain
Not all back or neck pain comes directly from the facet joints, and sometimes injections are unable to reach the true pain generator. Misdiagnosis is one common reason these injections fail, as conditions such as herniated discs, nerve irritation, or muscular strain can mimic facet joint pain. In other cases, the joint degeneration may be too advanced for medication to make a meaningful difference. And even when injections are correctly placed, their effect can fade quickly if underlying structural or lifestyle factors aren’t addressed.
A careful evaluation with diagnostic imaging and physical examination is often the first step after a failed injection, ensuring the actual pain source is identified. Other treatment options may be better suited to your condition and provide actual long-lasting relief for your back pain. Below are a few strategies our team of back pain specialists may suggest as next steps after a failed or ineffective facet joint injection.
1. Chiropractic Adjustments & Physical Therapy
For many patients, chronic back pain is aggravated by spinal misalignment, poor posture, or weak supporting muscles. This is why chiropractic care and physical therapy often work hand in hand. Chiropractic adjustments help realign the spine, reducing pressure on the facet joints and restoring mobility. Meanwhile, physical therapy builds strength, flexibility, and stability in the muscles that support the spine.
Together, these treatments address both the cause of the pain and the contributing factors that increase the risk of recurrence. At Vanguard Spine & Sport, posture correction, movement training, and ergonomic guidance are often integrated into this process, giving patients tools to support their healing at home as well as in our Memorial and Houston Heights pain clinics.
2. Spinal Decompression Therapy
When back or neck pain is linked to irritated nerve roots or pressure from bulging discs, spinal decompression therapy can be a powerful, non-surgical option for relief. Unlike traditional traction, this modern approach uses a computerized treatment table to gently and precisely stretch the spine. The controlled movement creates negative pressure within the spinal discs, helping them retract into proper position, easing nerve compression, and allowing nutrient-rich fluids to flow more freely into the affected areas. This improved circulation supports healing, reduces inflammation, and promotes long-term recovery.
Spinal decompression therapy has shown a high success rate for patients with facet joint pain, herniated discs, and related conditions. Many people notice relief after their very first session, while others experience steady improvement as they progress through their treatment plan. What makes this therapy especially valuable is that it addresses the root cause of pain—helping discs and joints heal—rather than just masking symptoms. For patients hoping to avoid surgery or heavy reliance on pain medication, spinal decompression offers a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way forward.
3. Pain-Relieving & Regenerative Injections like PRP
If a facet joint injection does not provide lasting relief, other injection-based therapies may be considered as part of your treatment plan. One of the most promising options is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Unlike corticosteroid injections, which focus primarily on reducing inflammation, PRP works by stimulating the body’s own healing response. Using a small sample of your blood, platelets and growth factors are concentrated and re-injected into the injured area to promote tissue repair and regeneration. Because PRP targets the underlying problem rather than just the symptoms, many patients experience longer-term improvement and reduced reliance on repeat injections.
Epidural steroid injections may also be recommended, especially if your pain is caused by nerve irritation that radiates into the legs or buttocks. These injections deliver corticosteroid medication into the epidural space to calm inflammation and relieve pressure on compressed nerves. While they can be effective in certain cases, epidural injections are typically a short-term solution and must be limited due to the cumulative effects of steroids. For this reason, they are often used alongside other non-surgical therapies such as spinal decompression or physical rehabilitation.
When facet joint injections fail, shifting the focus to regenerative solutions like PRP can provide a more sustainable path to recovery.
4. Lifestyle Changes
In addition to recommending medical treatment for your pain, your health care provider might also recommend lifestyle changes. Certain types of exercises, called low impact exercises, can help improve joint pain and decrease inflammation. These include swimming, bicycling, cross country skiing, and rowing. Practicing one of these activities several times a week has been proven to greatly reduce arthritis pain and increase range of motion. These sorts of exercises can also be helpful for nerve-related pain.
A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods like dark leafy greens, red and purple fruits and vegetables, and omega 3s, can also reduce arthritis pain. Omega 3s, in particular, are helpful. You can get these by increasing your intake of fish, flaxseed, and other dietary sources or by taking a quality fish oil supplement. Reducing foods that promote inflammation, like sugar, white flour, and chemical additives, is also important.
Get Back Pain Relief in Houston, TX, at Vanguard Spine & Sport
If facet joint injections haven’t provided any or enough relief, there are other options. The best results rarely come from a single treatment. More often, lasting pain relief requires a combination of therapies tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
At Vanguard Spine & Sport, patients benefit from a full spectrum of services—chiropractic care, physical therapy, spinal decompression, PRP, and other advanced treatments—all under one roof. This integrated model allows for more accurate diagnosis, faster recovery, and better long-term spine health.
If facet joint injections didn’t provide the relief you hoped for, it’s time to explore a more complete solution. With locations in both Houston Heights and Memorial, Vanguard Spine & Sport is here to help you find lasting relief from back and neck pain. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward living pain-free.