If you’re feeling pain in your upper or middle back, it may be coming from your thoracic facet joints. This type of pain often feels worse when you twist, bend, or sit for too long. At 5th Avenue Medical Wellness, we offer the Thoracic Medial Branch Block in Queens — a quick, non-surgical injection that can relieve pain and help us find the true cause.
It’s simple, safe, and done right here in our clinic.
What Is a Thoracic Medial Branch Block?
A Thoracic Medial Branch Block is a small injection that targets the medial branch nerves in your mid-back. These tiny nerves send pain signals from your facet joints to your brain. If these joints are inflamed or worn down, they can cause ongoing back pain. The injection uses numbing medicine to block these nerves. If your pain improves, we know the facet joints are the source. It’s both a test and a short-term treatment.
What Does a Thoracic Medial Branch Block Treat?
This injection is used to diagnose and manage chronic thoracic spine pain coming from the facet joints. Common conditions it treats include:
- Thoracic facet joint arthritis
- Upper or mid-back pain that doesn’t go away
- Stiffness or aching between the shoulder blades
- Pain with movement, especially twisting or bending
- Whiplash or spine injury recovery
It’s often used when other treatments, like therapy or medications, don’t bring relief.
How Does a Thoracic Medial Branch Block Work?
The goal is to block the pain signals before they reach your brain. We inject a small amount of numbing medicine near the nerves in your thoracic spine. If the pain goes away, even for a short time, we know those nerves are the cause.This helps us confirm the pain source. It also helps us decide if you’re a good candidate for radiofrequency ablation, which gives longer-lasting relief.
What’s Inside a Thoracic Medial Branch Block Injection?
The injection contains:
- To make the medial branch nerves numb, provide a local anesthetic.
- Sometimes a small amount of anti-inflammatory medicine
There are no opioids or sedatives. The focus is on blocking pain at the source — safely and effectively.
Thoracic Medial Branch Block Procedure: What to Expect
The procedure is quick and done in-clinic. Here’s what happens:
- You lie on your stomach on a treatment table
- We clean your back and numb the skin
- Using live X-ray (fluoroscopy), we guide a thin needle to the correct nerves
- We inject the medicine near the medial branch nerves
- You rest for a few minutes, then go home the same day
About 20 to 30 minutes are needed for the entire operation. Most people say it feels like a pinch or pressure, not pain.
Why Choose 5th Avenue Medical Wellness for Thoracic Spine Care
We understand how back pain can affect your daily life. Our team listens closely and takes time to create the right treatment plan for you.
At 5th Avenue Medical Wellness, you’ll get:
- A safe, caring, and clean environment
- Advanced imaging for accuracy
- Gentle, effective procedures
- Support every step of the way
We focus on treatments that work — without surgery or strong medications.
Book Your Thoracic Medial Branch Block in Queens
Don’t let mid-back pain keep holding you back. A simple, targeted injection may be all you need to feel relief.
Book your Thoracic Medial Branch Block in Queens today — and take your first step toward lasting relief.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not really. Most people say it feels like a small pinch or some pressure. We use numbing medicine first, so you stay comfortable during the procedure.
The relief usually lasts a few hours to a few days. This helps us confirm if the facet joints are the real cause of your pain. If it works, you may be a good candidate for a longer-lasting treatment like radiofrequency ablation.
You may feel relief within 30 minutes to a few hours. Everyone responds a little differently, but many people feel a clear improvement the same day.
You shouldn’t drive yourself home. You’ll need someone to take you. Most people return to their normal routine the next day. We’ll give you simple aftercare tips before you leave.
Yes. It’s a low-risk, outpatient procedure. Side effects are rare, but you might feel a little soreness or bruising where the needle went in. We take every step to keep you safe and comfortable.