We review imaging, symptoms, and medical history to determine candidacy.
Medial Branch Blocks in Huntington, NY
Precisely Diagnosing Chronic Pain
Treatment Length:
30 minutes
Sessions Needed:
2 to 4
Results Duration:
Hours to Days
Are you a candidate?
Try our screening tool.
Medial Branch Blocks Overview
A minimally invasive way to identify and relieve facet joint pain.
Using fluoroscopic guidance, a small amount of anesthetic is placed near the medial branch nerves.
You are observed briefly and asked to monitor pain relief over the next several hours.
Find the Right Approach
Take a few minutes to tell us your concerns, and we can recommend treatment options.
Is a Medial Branch Block for You?
This procedure helps identify spine-based pain.
Neck or Back Pain
Persistent axial discomfort
Facet Joint Arthritis
Degenerative joint changes
Pain With Extension
Worse when leaning back
Failed Conservative Care
Limited relief elsewhere
Frequently Asked Questions
Medial branch blocks (MBBs) are specialized injections used to determine whether facet joints in the spine are the source of chronic neck or back pain. The facet joints are small joints located between the vertebrae that allow for movement and flexibility. When these joints become inflamed or arthritic, they can cause persistent, localized pain.
The medial branch nerves transmit pain signals from the facet joints to the brain. A medial branch block temporarily numbs these nerves using a local anesthetic. If pain significantly improves after the injection, it confirms that the facet joints are contributing to your symptoms.
The injection itself typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Because a local anesthetic is used, many patients notice pain relief shortly after the procedure. You will be asked to track your pain levels for the remainder of the day to help determine how effective the block was.
We typically perform medial branch blocks in Huntington twice to confirm consistent results before proceeding with longer-term treatments.
At North Shore Headache & Spine, medial branch blocks in Huntington serve both a diagnostic and a temporary therapeutic purpose. They help pinpoint the exact pain generator so that we can develop a targeted treatment plan, while providing some relief from the pain itself.
If the medial branch block provides significant temporary relief, your provider may recommend radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This procedure uses heat energy to interrupt pain signals from the medial branch nerves for a longer duration—often six months to a year or more.
No. A medial branch block is primarily diagnostic and provides temporary relief. If successful, it helps determine whether longer-lasting treatments, such as radiofrequency ablation, are appropriate for sustained pain control.
Your Journey to Relief Starts Here
Take the next step toward clarity, comfort, and long-term health with guidance from our team.
