It's Not in Your Head
Welcome to It's Not in Your Head Podcast, with Dan and Juz. Dr. Dan is a Sports Physician and Justine a Pain Coach and patient. We have come together to find ways to manage complex pain better for both patients and providers. New episodes will come out bi-weekly on all major platforms.
It's Not in Your Head
40 Medial Branch Blocks: What to Expect from This Diagnostic Pain Procedure
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This episode marks the transition from conservative management to interventional pain procedures, beginning with medial branch blocks — a key diagnostic tool for identifying facet joint pain as a driver of lower back pain. Dr. Dan Bates walks through the procedural technique, how it is used to pinpoint specific pain generators, and how results inform the next steps in treatment, including radiofrequency ablation. Patients will better understand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, while providers gain a clear framework for moving from a non-specific diagnosis to targeted intervention.
Resources:
www.iniyh.com/episodes/ep-40-pain-procedures-medial-branch-blocks
www.resilientwarriorcoachingllc.com
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:37 Shifting Focus: From Conservative Management to Interventions
01:24 Understanding Diagnostic Blocks for Lower Back Pain
04:14 Medial Branch Block: Procedure and Purpose
09:09 Evaluating Pain Relief and Next Steps
13:14 Addressing Sensitization and Excluding Causes
14:47 Conclusion and References