Schedule Appointment
Login To Patient Portal
Schedule Appointment
Dr. Praveen Mambalam has been recognized as one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in Pain Medicine for August & September 2025. Dr. Praveen Mambalam has been recognized as one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in Pain Medicine for August & September 2025. Dr. Praveen Mambalam has been recognized as one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in Pain Medicine for August & September 2025. Dr. Praveen Mambalam has been recognized as one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in Pain Medicine for August & September 2025.
Home / Treatments / Medial Branch Blocks Injection

Medial Branch Block Injections

Experiencing persistent back or neck pain? Our Medial Branch Block Injections (MBBs) offer a precise, non-surgical approach to both diagnose and relieve pain at its source. This targeted treatment provides lasting relief and helps restore your quality of life.

Schedule Appointment
Call Doctor
Medial Branch Block injection

What is a Medial Branch Block?

Medial branch blocks are a type of injection treatment used for minimally invasive, non-surgical pain relief. It involves injecting a local anesthetic near the medial branch nerves, which transmit pain signals from the facet joints. These nerves send pain signals from the facet joints in your spine to your brain. These pain relief injections help to diagnose the exact source of pain and provide temporary relief for neck or back conditions caused by inflammation or joint dysfunction.

Benefits of Medial Branch Blocks

Accurate Pain Source Diagnosis

Medial Branch Block Injections help pinpoint the exact origin of spine-related pain by numbing specific nerves, ensuring further targeted treatment for long-term relief.

No Surgical Procedure Involved

This minimally invasive MBB injection takes minutes in a clinic setting, with no incisions or lengthy recovery. It’s a low-risk alternative to surgery for lasting relief.

Immediate Pain Reduction

Many patients notice pain reduction within hours to days, making MBB treatment ideal for sudden flare-ups of chronic back or neck pain.

Helps Determine Further Treatment

If your pain improves after the injection, your doctor may recommend longer-term solutions like radiofrequency ablation.

Restores Mobility

By easing joint pain, MBB injections help you move more freely, resume daily activities, and participate fully in physical therapy.

Fewer Pain Medications Needed

Effective relief from MBB treatment can reduce dependence on oral painkillers, cutting the risk of side effects or dependency.

Our non-surgical pain relief Procedure with MBB Injection

At WaPASS, we specialize in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments for chronic spine-related pain, including Medial Branch Block (MBB) Injections. This quick, safe, and effective outpatient procedure helps diagnose and manage facet joint pain with minimal downtime.

During the procedure, we precisely inject a local anesthetic—often combined with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid—near the medial branch nerves. These nerves transmit pain signals from your facet joints to the brain. By temporarily blocking these signals, we can confirm whether your pain originates from the facet joints while providing immediate relief.

The entire process takes just 15–30 minutes, and since it’s an outpatient treatment, you won’t need a hospital stay. Most patients walk out of our clinic the same day with reduced pain and better mobility.

Our non-surgical pain relief Procedure with MBB Injection

What to Expect Before, During, and After the Medial Branch Block Procedure

Before the Procedure

  • You’ll meet with our specialists to review your medical history, medications, and allergies.
  • Certain medications, such as blood thinners, may need to be adjusted prior to the medial branch block procedure.
  • The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, so you can return home the same day.

During the Procedure

  • You will remain awake, but a local anesthetic is applied to minimize discomfort.
  • Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, our physician carefully positions the needle to target the medial branch nerves.
  • A small amount of anesthetic is injected to temporarily numb the nerves and help identify if they are the source of your pain.

After the Procedure

  • Many patients feel immediate pain relief due to the numbing medication, though this effect is temporary.
  • Some mild soreness or numbness at the injection site is common and usually resolves within a day.
  • Your response to the medial branch block procedure will help determine if longer-lasting treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), are appropriate.
  • Most patients can resume light activities the same day, but it’s recommended to avoid strenuous activity for the first 24 hours.

Why Choose Our Medial Branch Block Injections Treatment in Pain Management?

Chronic back or neck pain can greatly impact your daily life. At our Washington Pain and Spine Specialist, Medial Branch Block (MBB) injections offer a safe and effective way to target pain at its source. By pinpointing whether facet joints are causing your discomfort, MBB helps our pain management experts to create a personalized treatment plan and reduce the need for unnecessary medications or procedures.

Our Medial Branch Block Injections Treatment in Pain Management

Conditions Treated with Medial Branch Block Injections

At WaPASS, we offer MBBs as part of our specialized non-surgical pain relief solutions. Here’s how our MBB treatment helps address a variety of pain conditions:

Chronic neck pain

Our MBB injections provide targeted relief long-lasting neck discomfort, often caused by worn joints, arthritis, or repetitive stress on spinal structures.

Upper, mid, or lower back pain

Our MBB treatment targets inflamed facet joints to ease pain and restore function.

Facet joint syndrome

We diagnose and treat pain from irritated or inflamed facet joints with MBBs. Spinal mobility is frequently impacted by this illness, and our treatment helps you regain your range of motion. If you suffer from chronic pain in the facet joints, you may also benefit from Facet Joint Injections, which offer targeted relief directly at the affected joints.

View More

Spinal osteoarthritis

Wear-and-tear arthritis affects the spine’s facet joints, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and pain.

Spondylosis

Age-related degeneration of the spine’s discs and joints, often resulting in chronic back or neck pain.

Whiplash injuries

Neck strain from sudden movement, often due to accidents, that may damage spinal joints and cause lingering pain. At WaPASS, we diagnose and treat whiplash-related nerve pain with Medial Branch Block Injections.

Struggling with chronic back or neck pain?

Book your consultation today and take the first step toward pain-free living

Schedule your consultation tod
Struggling with persistent pain that medications can't fix

Am I a Candidate for Medial Branch Block Injections?

Medial Branch Block (MBB) injections are most effective for patients experiencing chronic back or neck pain linked to the facet joints. By numbing the medial branch nerves, this procedure helps determine whether your pain truly originates from these nerves, and if additional treatments may provide long-term relief.

Before proceeding, our pain specialist will carefully evaluate your condition, review your medical history, and perform diagnostic tests if necessary. Together, you will discuss whether MBB injections are the right next step in your care plan.

This treatment may be right for you if:

  • You suffer from chronic neck, mid-back, or lower back pain that hasn’t improved with conservative care.
  • You have facet joint syndrome, spinal arthritis, spondylosis, or whiplash-related pain.
  • Your pain worsens with certain movements, such as bending or twisting.
  • You’re looking for a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

Our non-surgical pain relief Procedure with MBB Injection

At WaPASS, we specialize in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments for chronic spine-related pain, including Medial Branch Block (MBB) Injections. This quick, safe, and effective outpatient procedure helps diagnose and manage facet joint pain with minimal downtime.

During the procedure, we precisely inject a local anesthetic—often combined with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid—near the medial branch nerves. These nerves transmit pain signals from your facet joints to the brain. By temporarily blocking these signals, we can confirm whether your pain originates from the facet joints while providing immediate relief.

The entire process takes just 15–30 minutes, and since it’s an outpatient treatment, you won’t need a hospital stay. Most patients walk out of our clinic the same day with reduced pain and better mobility.

Our non-surgical pain relief Procedure with MBB Injection
Why choose us for Medial Branch Block Injections

Why choose us

At WaPASS, we specialize in non-surgical, minimally invasive treatments for chronic spine-related pain, using Medial Branch Block (MBB) Injections. This quick, safe, and effective outpatient procedure helps diagnose and manage facet joint pain with minimal downtime.

During the procedure, we precisely inject a local anesthetic that is often combined with an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, near the medial branch nerves. These nerves transmit pain signals from your facet joints to the brain. By temporarily blocking these signals, we can confirm whether your pain originates from the facet joints while providing immediate relief.

The entire process takes just 15–30 minutes, and since it’s an outpatient treatment, you won’t need a hospital stay. Most patients walk out of our clinic the same day with reduced pain and better mobility.

Why Choose US?

Our 24/7 Active

Help Support

Help on The Go

Contact Now

Fast Appointment With

Nearest Hospital

Live Chat With

Doctors


Happy Customers
0 +

Other Treatment Options We Provide

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)

Facet Joint
Injections

Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)


View All
→

Medial Branch Block Injections

To know more about the different types, reasons, and possible side effects of MBB

Read More
View all blogs

Frequently Asked Question

The medial branch block procedure is primarily used to diagnose the source of pain. While it may provide short-term relief, its main role is to help determine whether longer-lasting treatments may be effective for you.

MBB injections are considered safe. You might experience temporary soreness or mild numbness, but serious side effects are rare when done by experienced professionals like our team at WaPASS.

If you have ongoing neck or back pain that hasn’t improved with physical therapy, medications, or other non-surgical treatments, an evaluation at WaPASS will help determine if an MBB is right for you.

Yes, we use fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance during the procedure to ensure precise needle placement for safe and effective results.

The number of medial branch block injections you may need depends on how your body responds to the first treatment. Many patients only require one injection to help confirm whether their pain is coming from the facet joints.

Schedule Appointment
WaPASS
Login To Patient Portal
Schedule Appointment
Download Guide
SMS Consent