Methods for spinal stabilization operative to prevent lateral bending, extension, and rotation across two or more adjacent vertebrae are described with particular emphasis on preventing excessive forces on the facet joins. Broadly, the method includes placing one or more anchors, each having one or more sutures at each vertebral level on a posterior portion of the vertebrae, applying tension to the sutures and joining the sutures over the disc space between two or more vertebra. The sutures can be wrapped around the spinous process of the adjacent vertebrae. Alternatively, the sutures can be welded in a cross-braced pattern extending between the spinous process of the adjacent vertebrae.