— MBB Injection (Medial Branch Block)
Pinpoint the nerve, prove the source.
A precise diagnostic nerve block that identifies whether your facet joints are causing your neck or back pain — and opens the door to longer-lasting relief.
— What it is
MBB Injection (Medial Branch Block)
A medial branch block, or MBB, targets the tiny medial branch nerves that carry pain signals away from the facet joints of your spine. By numbing those nerves for a short time, we can answer a question that guesswork never will: are these joints the true source of your pain? For many patients living with years of neck or back pain, an MBB is the turning point — the visit where vague pain finally gets a name, and a clear path forward.
- A small amount of local anesthetic is placed alongside the medial branch nerves that supply a specific facet joint.
- If your pain drops significantly in the hours after the block, those joints are confirmed as the pain generator.
- It is performed under live fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance so the medication reaches the exact nerve, not the general area.
- The injection itself takes only minutes, and the entire outpatient visit is usually 15 to 20 minutes of procedure time.
- A positive result makes you a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, which can provide relief lasting many months.
— Who it helps
This may be right for you if
You have chronic neck, mid-back, or low back pain that has lasted months despite therapy and medication.
Your pain worsens when you twist, arch backward, or stand for long periods.
You have facet arthritis, degenerative changes, or lingering pain after a whiplash or auto injury.
Imaging has not clearly explained your pain and you want a definitive answer.
You want longer-lasting relief and need to confirm the target before radiofrequency ablation.
— What to expect
Your visit, step by step.
- 01
Consultation
We review your pain pattern, history, and imaging to decide which spinal levels to block first.
- 02
Preparation
You lie face down on the procedure table. The skin is cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic so the block itself is comfortable.
- 03
Guided block
Using live X-ray guidance, the needle is positioned at the medial branch nerves and a small dose of anesthetic is delivered.
- 04
Pain diary & next step
You go home the same day and record your relief over the next several hours. That record tells us whether ablation is the right next move.
— Why Painrite
Care built around getting you back to normal life.
A definitive answer
Instead of treating a best guess, an MBB confirms or rules out the facet joints as your pain source.
Fast and outpatient
Minutes on the table, no incision, no hospital stay — most patients are back home within the hour.
Opens longer-lasting options
A positive block makes you a candidate for radiofrequency ablation, which can quiet those nerves for many months.
Low risk, high information
A small dose of anesthetic gives us the clarity that months of trial-and-error treatment could not.
— FAQ
MBB Injection (Medial Branch Block) — your questions answered
— Explore more
Other treatments we offer
Epidural Steroid Injections
Targeted anti-inflammatory medication delivered near irritated spinal nerves to reduce back, neck, and leg pain.
Facet Joint Injections
Precise injections to diagnose and relieve arthritis-related pain in the small joints along the spine.
Hip Joint Injections
Image-guided injections to reduce hip joint inflammation and restore mobility for arthritis and injury-related pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Quick relief for painful muscle knots using local anesthetic or saline to relax tense muscle fibers.
— Get in touch
Ready to talk about mbb injection (medial branch block)?
Call the clinic and we will answer your questions, review whether this treatment fits your situation, and get you scheduled.
Call the clinic
+1 350-252-0008
Clinic address
1735 Keller Springs RdSuite 204
Carrollton, TX 75006
Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed