mild facet degeneration

I was rear ended in an auto accident, the damage was minorto the car but I felt something strange in my back right away.  I have since had mild to severe pain constantly.  An MRI revealed L2-3, 3-4, 4-5, L5-S1 mild facet degeneration, otherwise negative.  Conclusion Multilevel degerative facet disease, otherwise normal.  No disc herniations or nerve root compression.  What does this all mean in plain English?  If this is the cause of my pain why was it not present prior to the car wreck???

[High Noon]

The causes of much back pain is very difficlt to diagnose.
I do not know your age but the mild fact degeneration is normal disc age related issues.
Since no herniations nor root compression exist then your pain is not coming from the spine.
So that is not the cause of the pain.

It could be muscular or tendonitis .
The standard treatment id NSAIDS ( advil/ alleve) and using hot packs.

Hopefully it should resolve itself in a few weeks.

[stillstruggling]

Try to find a pain clinic that will do Facet joint injections.  The dr can  mumb the joints and see if this is the problem. You will feel the difference right away if he can find the right ones to do. They can then kill the nerve ends which can give you up to about 18 months of relive. It can be redone if needed.