The medial branch block is the name given to a procedure whereby a Seattle pain management doctor injects an anesthetic directly into the area around the facet joints in order to relieve the pain signals of the medial branches.
The medial branch block is performed as a diagnostic test to find out where the cause of the problem lies. If pain relief is immediate, the patient’s pain is being caused by this specific facet joint. It is also performed as a therapeutic test as it may provide months of pain relief.