Dear Geoff,

You miss my point there.

1/You may think that your point of action is situated on a Wikipedia reference-linkfacet joint but you said as I did that you need absolutely before an eventual action there to put your thumb on skin (it is sensitive), on muscle (it is sensitive) then it is possible to have an action by these sensitive structures prior the facet joint.

2/ A force applied on a structure (facet) needs a reaction of the structure or you may pass through the body. Sorry but it is only physics and physics needs strict rules. So, in my view, even if you had a chance to apply a force/action on a facet joint then you have no chance to know where the reactions forces are applied. BTW, you can't act on a unique facet joint or physics lies.

3/ One more time, if I agree with a quick fix I'm not sure of its duration since the patient suffers your action and the brain do not learn anything. Imagine the patient having a muscular anticipation (a common thing with LBP) does that change the brain process? NO! A better way is to tell patient to move these voluntary muscles in a safe way then patient learns something.