Cervical Medial
Branch Block
(CMBB)
A precise, minimally invasive neck injection used to identify and temporarily relieve
pain originating from your cervical facetjoints - and to guide your path toward
lasting treatment.
Board Certified
Neurosurgeon
15+ Years
Experience
5000+
Procedures Performed
Get In Touch
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward relief.
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What Is a Cervical Medial Branch Block?
This is the same type of injection as the lumbar medial branch block, but it is done in the neck. It targets the small nerves coming from the joints in your cervical spine that may be causing neck pain or stiffness.
The procedure is performed using live X-ray guidance to ensure accuracy. It is quick and well tolerated. You will not feel the needle, as this injection is completed under light anesthesia.
The goal is to confirm whether these joints are the source of your pain and to provide temporary relief while helping guide further treatment options. If this injection gives you significant relief, it confirms that your cervical facet joints are the pain generatorand that you may be a strong candidate for a more lasting solution, such as radiofrequency ablation.
30 Minutes
Same Day Procedure
General Anesthesia
2-6 Weeks Recovery
How the Procedure Is Performed
The injection is carefully placed along the medial branch nerves - the tiny sensory nerves that carry pain signals from your cervical facet joints to your brain. A local anesthetic is delivered to these nerves to temporarily block pain signaling and confirm the diagnosis.
01
Comfortable positioning
You are positioned on the procedure
table, and light anesthesia is administered. You will feel no needle or discomfort during the injection.
02
Fluoroscopic guidance
Live X-ray imaging is used throughout to precisely locate the target nerves in your cervical spine with accuracy and safety.
03
Anesthetic injection
A small amount of local anesthetic is carefully injected alongside the medial branch nerves at each targeted cervical level.
04
Pain response tracking
Your pain levels are monitored after the injection. Significant temporary relief confirms that the targeted joints are the source of your neck pain.
05
Same-day discharge
You rest briefly in our recovery area and go home the same day. The procedure is quick and recovery is minimal.
06
Follow-up & next steps
Your response guides your treatment plan. Positive results may qualify you for radiofrequency ablation for longerlasting relief.
Cervical vs. Lumbar – Understanding the Difference
Capital Spine Institute performs medial branch block injections at both the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) levels. While the technique and goal are identical, the anatomy and targeted pain areas after.
Cervical MBB (neck)
CMBB-this procedure
Targets medial branch nerves in the cervical spine (C3-C7). Used for chronic neck pain, stiffness, headaches originating from the
neck, or upper back discomfort related to cervical facet arthritis or injury.
Lumbar MBB (lower back)
LMBB- related procedure
Targets medial branch nerves in the lumbar spine (L1-L5). Used for chronic lower back pain, sacroiliac-related discomfort, or lumbar facet arthritis caused by wear and tear or degenerative changes.
Why This Injection Matters
Cervical medial branch block is helpful for diagnosing and treating some of the facet joint pain temporarily. Many neck pain treatments require verifying that the facet joints are the source. This injection provides that verification effectively and safely.
The diagnostic accuracy of cervical facet joint injections can tell if your neck pain or stiffness is truly coming from these joints. This can help decide whether longer-term treatment is required in your case.
Short-term relief Short-term relief that can help you feel what life could be like with the source of pain addressed.
Steers your treatment path—If you respond positively, you qualify for radiofrequency ablation, giving you relief for months to years.
No surgery, no general anesthesia, no hospital stay. Minimally invasive. The injection procedure is convenient, accurate, and well tolerated.
Organized with the help of a fluoroscopic X-ray guide so the needle placement is accurate and a precisely identified target to keep the placement within the cervical region safe.
Who Should Consider a CMBB?
You may be a good candidate for a cervical medial branch block if you experience any of the following and conservative treatments have not provided satisfactory relief:
Persistent neck pain or stiffness that has lasted more than three months
Neck pain that worsens with movement, turning your head, or prolonged sitting
Headaches that originate at the base of the skull or upper neck (cervicogenic headaches)
Upper back or shoulder blade pain linked to cervical joint degeneration
Neck pain following a whiplash injury or prior cervical spine surgery
Imaging findings suggesting cervical facet arthritis or joint degeneration
Expert Spine Surgeon
Dr. Avery L. Buchholz is a board-certified neurosurgeon with fellowship training in complex spine surgery. With over 15 years of experience and 5,000+ procedures performed, he specializes in both minimally invasive and complex surgical techniques.
His expertise spans the full spectrum of spine care, from non-surgical interventions to advanced reconstructive procedures, always prioritizing patient safety and optimal outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about our practice and procedures
What exactly is a Cervical Medial Branch Block?
A Cervical Medial Branch Block is a type of nerve block performed in your neck to provide short-term relief from pain. During the procedure, the doctor will inject an anesthetic to the nerves located in proximity to the facet joints of your neck. If the pain subsides following the injection, it confirms that the facet joints are the cause of your neck pain, which provides direction on how to best treat this moving forward.
Who performs this at Capital Spine & Pain Institute?
At the Capital Spine & Pain Institute, there's only one Dr. Buchholz. He holds a board certification and has invested more than a decade and a half in the field, bringing with him over 5,000 procedures to our institute. He completes the procedure by utilizing X-ray imaging to ensure that the appropriate target nerve is found.
Will it hurt, and what should I expect that day?
You will be sedated and will not remember the injection. The entire procedure, along with all preparation steps, will be completed in a matter of 15 minutes. You can expect to spend no more than 2 hours at the clinic. As this procedure is designed to be a same-day discharge, a driver will be necessary. Anticipate a short-term relief effect of 24 to 48 hours, after which Dr. Buchholz will inquire about your pain level and determine if and what course of treatment is appropriate.
When should I see a doctor for chronic neck pain?
It is important to talk to your doctor during your consultation if nothing has worked for your chronic neck pain that has lasted for over 3 months. If turning your head causes pain to get worse, if you suffer from headaches that start in the back and if you have a history of whiplash, you need to have a conversation.
What is fluoroscopy and why is it used?
Fluoroscopy is the use of live x-rays during your procedure. The neck region consists of a spinal cord, nerve roots, vessels, and a lot more all confined within a relatively small space. As such, it is imperative to take an accurate imaging so as to provide Dr. Buchholz with an accurate space in his procedure.
How long does the relief last, and what happens after?
After your procedure, the pain relief usually lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The duration of pain relief is not the main concern. The main concern from your procedure is analysis to see if you experienced any form of pain relief. If so, the next recommended procedure is radiofrequency ablation which can ensure long-term pain relief that could last months or possibly even years.
What is the difference between a Cervical and Lumbar MBB?
A Cervical MBB pertains to the neck region of the spine, which is involved when a patient has pain, stiffness, and neck headaches. On the other hand, a Lumbar MBB pertains to the lower region of the back involved when a patient has chronic back pain and has facet joint degeneration. Here at Capital Spine and Pain Institute, we are able to offer both services.
Are there risks, and how often can it be repeated?
Most individuals experience minor headaches or soreness that temporarily lasts a few days. Diabetics may have small fluctuations in blood sugar, but can be reasonably controlled. There are very rare severe side effects. This type of injection should only be done to the same area three times in a year. The ultimate goal for this injection is to assist in diagnosis and move towards treating a more permanent solution.
Our Locations
Serving patients across VA and the DC area
Falls Church, VA
6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 710
Open
Alexandria, VA
6244A Little River Turnpike
Open
Richmond, VA
Address coming soon
Opening Soon
Charlottesville, VA
Address coming soon
Opening Soon
Washington, DC
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Opening Soon
Get In Touch
Contact us today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward relief.
Address
6244 Little River Turnpike, Suite 101
Alexandria, VA 22312
Phone
FAX
Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
This form is intended for scheduling purposes only and is not a HIPAA-compliant form. Please avoid sharing any sensitive medical information.
By submitting, you consent to being contacted using the information provided.
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