Medial Branch Blocks
Medial Branch Blocks
Pinpointing the Source of Spine Pain
Targeted relief for facet joint-related neck or low back pain. A Medial Branch Block (MBB) is a minimally invasive procedure used to both diagnose and treat pain coming from the facet joints of the spine.
Facet joints are small joints located along the back of your spine that provide stability and help control movement. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic, they can cause persistent pain in the neck, mid-back, or lower back.
During a medial branch block, a small amount of anesthetic medication is carefully injected near the medial branch nerves that supply sensation to the facet joints. If your pain decreases significantly after the injection, it confirms that the facet joints are a likely source of your discomfort. In some cases, the injection itself can provide temporary pain relief.
Am I A Candidate?
- Chronic neck or low back pain that worsens with extension/rotation
- Facet joint arthritis or spondylosis on imaging
- Pain after whiplash or repetitive spinal stress
- Limited relief from medication, PT, or chiropractic care
Good To Know
- Diagnostic and therapeutic – An MBB helps confirm if the facet joints are the true source of pain while also providing relief.
- Relief timeline – You may feel immediate relief from the numbing medicine, but steroid medication (if used) may take several days to show benefits.
- Temporary by design – The relief helps guide next steps. If pain improves but returns, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may provide longer-lasting results.
- Safe and precise – Performed under fluoroscopy (X-ray) to ensure accuracy and minimize risk.
How The Procedure Works
1) Preparation
Brief check-in and review. Area is cleaned; local anesthetic is used for comfort.
2) Precision Entry
Under fluoroscopy (x-day), a small amount of anesthetic is placed near the medial branch nerves supplying your facet joints.
3) Aftercare
Most patients resume light activity the same day. Relief may last hours to days; results guide next-step care like RFA.
Results & Next Steps
Because a medial branch block is primarily diagnostic, relief is often temporary. If your pain improves significantly, the doctor may recommend Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) to “quiet” the same nerves for months of relief. We’ll tailor your plan to your goals and activity level.
Insurance accepted. Most plans, including Medicare, cover medial branch blocks when medically necessary. Our office will verify your benefits.
Your Questions Answered
Medial branch blocks are commonly used for facet joint arthritis, degenerative disc–related facet pain, chronic neck or low back pain, and pain after injury or whiplash.
Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a thin needle is placed near the medial branch nerves and a small amount of anesthetic is injected to block pain signals. The procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes.
Most patients experience only mild, brief discomfort. A local anesthetic is used, and the procedure is quick and well tolerated.
Relief from the diagnostic block can last hours to days. If you experience significant relief, your doctor may recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for longer-lasting results.
Light activity is usually fine the same day; avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
If you get meaningful temporary relief, the next step is often radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which can provide relief for 6–12 months or longer.