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Medial Branch Blocks
Peak Spine & Sports Medicine offers image-guided medial branch blocks for facet joint pain in Marlton & Collingswood, NJ. Non-opioid care. Call (833) 377-7325.

Medial Branch Blocks in Marlton and Collingswood, NJ

When low back pain is properly diagnosed and treated, everyday life can start to feel more manageable again. A medial branch block may help patients move toward the relief they need to sit, stand, travel, play sports, stay active with family and friends, and return to the routines that make life enjoyable.

Medial branch blocks are precise, image-guided injections that can help identify and treat pain coming from the small joints of the spine, called facet joints. At Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, medial branch blocks are one of the most common procedures we perform because facet-related back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek care.

Our approach is different from high-volume pain management practices focused on medications and cookie cutter treatment plans rather than spending time on education and outcomes using personalized treatment plans. Patients are cared for by Dr. Milind Patel, Dr. Jill Kalariya, and our interventional pain management team through a concierge, white-glove model designed to restore quality of life without opioids. Relief should not feel like another complicated medical process. Our team works to reduce delays, simplify next steps, and help patients move toward a clear plan for less pain and better function.

To find out whether a medial branch block may help reduce back or neck pain, call Peak Spine & Sports Medicine at (833) 377-7325 or conveniently request an appointment online. Telehealth consults are available for convenience when appropriate. We proudly serve patients in Marlton, Haddonfield, Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Medford, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Philadelphia, and surrounding communities.

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What Is a Medial Branch Block?

A medial branch block is a targeted injection used to diagnose and treat pain that may be coming from the facet joints of the spine in the mid and low back and neck.

Facet joints are small joints located along the back of the spine. They help the spine bend, twist, and remain stable. Like other joints in the body, facet joints can become irritated, inflamed, arthritic, or painful over time; when that happens, they may cause aching back pain, stiffness, pain with standing, pain with extension, or pain that worsens with certain movements.

The medial branch nerves are small nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints. During a medial branch block, a physician uses live X-ray guidance to place a small amount of medication near these nerves. At Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, this may include local anesthetic and, when appropriate, anti-inflammatory medication.

This allows the injection to help:

  • Confirm whether the facet joints are a major source of pain.
  • Calm pain and inflammation so the patient can move more comfortably.

Medial branch blocks are closely related to facet joint injections and may help determine whether a patient is a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation if longer-lasting relief is needed.

Medial branch blocks are most often used for mid and low back or neck pain that appears to come from the facet joints. This is sometimes called facet-mediated pain or facet joint syndrome.

Patients may benefit from an evaluation for a medial branch block if they have:

  • Aching low back or neck pain
  • Stiffness in the low back or neck
  • Pain that worsens with bending backward or twisting
  • Pain that has not improved enough with rest, activity changes, or conservative care
  • Headaches, aching pain in their neck with motion
  • Pain after standing or walking for a period of time
  • Pain that feels more central than radiating
  • Neck pain related to facet irritation
  • Pain from spinal arthritis or degenerative changes

A medial branch block is not the right treatment for every type of spine pain. For example, pain that travels sharply down the leg to the foot from a compressed nerve may require a different approach, such as an epidural steroid injection or another treatment. This is why Peak Spine & Sports Medicine begins with a thorough evaluation rather than a one-size-fits-all recommendation.

A medial branch block works by temporarily interrupting pain signals from the nerves that supply the painful facet joints. Typically, we expect 80% or more pain relief with a medial branch block.

During the procedure, the physician uses a live X-ray machine, called fluoroscopy, to guide the needle to the correct target. This is important because the medial branch nerves are small, and accuracy matters. Once the needle is positioned, the physician injects a small amount of medication around the medial branch nerve.

If pain improves after the injection, that response gives the physician valuable information. It suggests that the targeted facet joint or joints may be responsible for the pain. If the relief is meaningful but temporary, the treatment plan may include additional diagnostic steps or radiofrequency ablation, which uses heat energy to quiet the painful nerve signals for a longer period of time.

At Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, this process is not treated as a routine checkbox. The team follows guideline-based techniques, documents carefully, and customizes the procedure based on the patient’s anatomy, symptoms, pain pattern, response to the injection, and goals.

Learn more about the practice philosophy on our About Us page.

A medial branch block is usually a brief outpatient procedure, but at Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, the experience begins well before the injection itself. Our team confirms the treatment area, reviews the purpose of the block, and explains what the procedure is designed to show, treat, and help clarify.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine performs medial branch blocks using national guideline-based techniques. Following nationally recognized guidelines helps ensure the right nerves are targeted, the patient’s response is interpreted accurately, and any next step, including radiofrequency ablation, is based on reliable information rather than guesswork with safety and efficacy in mind.

Before treatment, our physicians will ask about a patient’s usual pain level, where they feel it, and which movements tend to bring it on. This helps establish a clear starting point, so the response after the injection can be measured in a meaningful way. For some patients, that may mean walking farther, sitting longer, standing more comfortably, or moving through a workday with less interruption.

During the procedure, the team keeps the process calm, precise, and organized:

  • Patients are positioned carefully, so the treatment area can be accessed safely.
  • The skin is cleaned and numbed.
  • A live X-ray machine is used to identify the proper targets for injection.
  • Patients are given local anesthetic to numb the area.
  • Our physician places the needle near the targeted medial branch nerve.
  • A small amount of local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication is delivered to the treatment area.
  • Patients are monitored before going home with clear aftercare instructions.

This allows the medial branch block to serve both a diagnostic and therapeutic purpose. The local anesthetic can help confirm whether the facet joints are the likely source of pain, while the anti-inflammatory medication may help calm irritation in the area.

This is where Peak Spine & Sports Medicine‘s interventional approach matters. The procedure is not performed by feel or guesswork. Imaging guidance allows our physician to confirm placement, make adjustments when necessary, and treat the suspected pain source with a higher level of accuracy, resulting in better outcomes.

The goal is to make the procedure feel straightforward for the patient while keeping the medical planning highly specific behind the scenes.

Recovery after a medial branch block is typically simple. Many patients return to light activity the same day or the next day, depending on their physician’s instructions and how they feel.

Some patients notice improvement quickly because of the local anesthetic. If anti-inflammatory medication is included, additional relief may develop over the next several days. Mild soreness near the injection site can happen and usually fades without issue. For most patients, the only post-procedure limitation is no standing water such as pool, jacuzzi, or ocean for 24-48 hours after the procedure. Showers are not limited in any way.

What makes recovery at Peak Spine & Sports Medicine different is the level of attention given to what happens next. A patient’s response to the block helps guide the larger treatment plan, so the team does not treat recovery as an afterthought. Patients may be asked to track how their pain changes, how long relief lasts, and whether they are able to do specific activities that normally aggravate their symptoms.

The team may ask:

  • Did the patient’s usual pain improve?
  • How much relief did the patient feel?
  • How long did the relief last?
  • Were they able to sit, stand, walk, travel, golf, work, or move more comfortably?
  • Did the injection help one area more than another?
  • Did the pain return in the same pattern or in a different way?

These details help our physician determine whether the facet joints are likely the source of pain and whether a longer-term option, such as radiofrequency ablation, may be appropriate.

At Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, the procedure is one part of a broader plan. The team uses patient response to refine the next step, adjust the strategy, and keep treatment focused on what matters most: helping them move better and return to enjoying life.

Relief from a medial branch block varies. Some patients experience short-term relief that helps confirm the diagnosis. Others may notice a longer period of improvement, especially when anti-inflammatory medication is part of the treatment plan.

For many patients, the most important value of a medial branch block is the information it provides. If the injection produces significant relief, the physician may discuss radiofrequency ablation, which is designed to provide longer-lasting relief by treating the medial branch nerves more directly.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine customizes ablation techniques based on the patient’s anatomy, body type, number of levels treated, and specific pain pattern. The team uses advanced equipment and image-guided technique rather than using the exact same setup for every patient.

Why Choose Peak Spine & Sports Medicine for Medial Branch Blocks?

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine was built around a simple standard: this should be the kind of pain management practice we would want our own family members to visit.

That means patients are not rushed through a three-minute visit and handed a generic, cookie-cutter plan. Initial consultations are intentionally thorough. The team takes time to understand where the pain is coming from, how it affects daily life, what has already been tried, and what activities the patient needs to return to.

For one person, the priority may be sitting comfortably at a desk. For another, it may be walking through an airport, playing with grandchildren, getting through a golf trip, returning to work, or sleeping through the night. Those details matter because they shape the order, timing, and structure of the treatment plan.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine offers:

  • Concierge, white-glove pain management care
  • A non-opioid approach to pain care
  • Ivy League trained professionals
  • Double board-certified pain management physicians
  • Cutting-edge interventional techniques and technology
  • Live X-ray guidance for precision and safety
  • Guideline-based medial branch block procedures
  • Telehealth consults when appropriate
  • A helpful staff that works to reduce the burden on patients
  • Insurance access for eligible PPO/POS patients with out-of-network benefits

Care is led by Dr. Milind Patel and Dr. Jill Kalariya, double board-certified pain management physicians who perform advanced interventional procedures in the outpatient surgery center. Brian Brown, PA supports patients through conservative care, diagnostic workups, imaging coordination, therapy recommendations, and follow-up planning, helping each patient move through care with clarity and confidence.

Our practice is selective with insurance because the model is built around quality, not volume. We work for the patient, not the insurance company. That gives the team more time to listen, explain, coordinate care, and work for the patient rather than designing the visit around the insurance company’s schedule.

Visit our Why Choose Us page to learn more.

How Much Does a Medial Branch Block Cost in Marlton and Collingswood, NJ?

The cost of a medial branch block depends on the treatment plan, the number of levels treated, the facility, and insurance benefits.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine primarily works with patients who have PPO or POS insurance plans with out-of-network benefits. The practice is out of network for most insurance plans, which allows the team to maintain a smaller, more personalized model with longer visits, tailored treatment plans, more education, and less pressure to rush patients through care.

Many patients are surprised to learn that out-of-network care with PPO/POS plan benefits are typically much more accessible than they expected. The Peak Spine & Sports Medicine team can help review benefits, explain the process, and determine whether the practice is a good fit.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine does not participate with EPO, HMO, Medicare, or Medicaid plans. This allows our specialists to see our new and existing patients quickly rather than months after an issue occurs.

Patients visit Peak Spine & Sports Medicine in Marlton and Collingswood from Cherry Hill, Medford, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Voorhees, Philadelphia, and surrounding areas because they want high-level interventional pain care without an opioid-first approach.

Medial branch blocks are commonly performed pain management procedures, but every procedure carries some risk. Possible side effects may include temporary soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, temporary numbness, or lack of meaningful pain relief.

Safety depends on careful patient selection, sterile technique, accurate needle placement, and appropriate follow-up. At Peak Spine & Sports Medicine, medial branch blocks are performed with live X-ray guidance, so the physician can see the treatment area in real time and confirm placement before medication is delivered.

The goal is to be precise, intentional, and conservative with medication while still treating the source of pain effectively.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine does not use opioids as a shortcut for pain care.

Our practice focuses on interventional procedures because many pain problems are focal. For focal problems, we use focal solutions. A painful facet joint, irritated nerve, disc issue, or joint problem often requires a targeted solution. Medication taken by mouth circulates through the whole body. That can mean higher doses, more side effects, limited benefit, and no clear endpoint.

Interventional pain management is different. It is designed to identify the source of pain and treat it directly. For the right patient, a medial branch block can provide useful diagnostic information, meaningful, immediate relief, and a path toward longer-term improvement and restored quality of life.

Schedule a Medial Branch Block Consultation in Marlton or Collingswood, NJ

Back pain should not decide how much life a patient gets to enjoy. Whether the goal is to golf again, travel more comfortably, sit through work, play with the kids or grandkids, or simply move through the day with less pain, Peak Spine & Sports Medicine can help patients understand their options.

For medial branch blocks in Marlton and Collingswood, NJ, contact Peak Spine & Sports Medicine at (833) 377-7325 or schedule a consultation through our online form. Our team will help determine whether the pain pattern, goals, and insurance benefits make our concierge interventional pain model the right fit.

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Medial Branch Blocks Marlton, NJ – FAQs

Most patients tolerate the procedure well. The skin is numbed before the injection, and the physician uses image guidance to keep the procedure precise. Some pressure or brief discomfort may occur, but the procedure is usually quick.

No. A medial branch block targets the small nerves that carry pain signals from the facet joints. An epidural steroid injection is typically used for pain related to spinal nerve irritation, such as pain that travels into the arm or leg. Our physician will recommend the appropriate treatment based on the source of pain.

Yes, medial branch blocks may be used in the neck, mid-back, or low back when the facet joints are suspected to be the source of pain. The low back and neck are the most common areas treated.

Some patients feel relief within minutes to hours because of the local anesthetic. Our physician will explain what to track after the procedure, including how much relief is experienced, and how long it lasts.

If the block provides significant relief, our physician may discuss next steps. This may include another block, continued conservative care, or radiofrequency ablation for longer-lasting relief.

If the block does not improve the usual pain, that information is still useful. It may mean the facet joints are not the primary pain source, and the team will reassess the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Some patients benefit from therapy after pain is better controlled. Peak Spine & Sports Medicine does not provide physical therapy in-house, but the team may refer patients to outside physical therapy when strengthening, mobility, or spinal support is part of the plan.

In many cases, yes. Telehealth consults may be available to help expedite evaluation, review symptoms, and determine whether an in-person exam or procedure consultation is appropriate.

Peak Spine & Sports Medicine accepts insurance and primarily works with PPO and POS plans that have out-of-network benefits. The practice does not participate with EPO, HMO, Medicare, or Medicaid plans. The team can help patients determine whether their benefits may apply.