If the block confirms facet joint pain
- Medial branch RF for longer-lasting relief
- Optional: facet joint injection with steroid or prolotherapy
Pain-medicine specialist–led care
Chronic Neck Pain Treatment
Midline facet-joint pain or pain radiating down the arm — we confirm the true source with targeted diagnostic blocks and MRI, then treat it with image-guided, minimally invasive procedures.
Pain-medicine specialist–led care
Where does chronic neck pain come from?
Chronic neck pain can arise from several structures — the muscles, the facet joints that link each vertebra, or a nerve root compressed by a herniated disc. Effective treatment starts by confirming which one is responsible, rather than cycling through painkillers.
At YOUNIFY we use small diagnostic blocks and MRI (for radiating symptoms) to confirm the source first. Every procedure that follows is minimally invasive and guided by fluoroscopy or ultrasound.
When to see a specialist
- Neck pain lasting beyond 3 months despite medication and physiotherapy
- Pain radiating into the arm, numbness, or weakness
- Pain that disrupts sleep or work
- You want options before considering surgery
Neck pain care pathway
Two symptom patterns, two pathways — choose the one that matches your pain
Midline neck pain
Pain confined to the neck without radiating to the arm — usually facet joints or muscle
01
Diagnostic medial branch block
A small local-anaesthetic injection at the medial branch nerves that supply the facet joints. If the pain eases clearly, the facet joint is confirmed as the source.
02
Read the response
Clear relief points to facet joint pain. Little or no relief usually means the pain is muscular, which is managed with physiotherapy, massage, and trigger point injections.
03
Medial branch radiofrequency (RF)
Radiofrequency energy quiets the pain signal from the confirmed facet joints — needle-sized entry, outpatient, fast recovery.
If the block brings no relief — muscle pain
- Physiotherapy and therapeutic massage
- Trigger point injection to release painful muscle knots
Every procedure is performed by a pain-medicine specialist, with image guidance — fluoroscopy or ultrasound — on every case.
Comparing neck pain procedures
All options are minimally invasive, outpatient procedures
| Procedure | Best for | Image guidance | Invasiveness | Home the same day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic medial branch block | Confirming facet joint pain | Fluoroscopy | Needle only | Yes |
| Medial branch RF | Confirmed facet joint pain | Fluoroscopy | Needle only | Yes |
| Facet joint injection (steroid / prolotherapy) | Adjunct for facet joint pain | Fluoroscopy | Needle only | Yes |
| Cervical epidural steroid injection | Nerve-root pain radiating to the arm | Fluoroscopy | Needle only | Yes |
| Selective cervical nerve root injection | A single confirmed nerve root | Ultrasound | Needle only | Yes |
| Trigger point injection | Muscular neck pain | Landmarks / ultrasound | Needle only | Yes |
Facet Joint Pain Treatment: Medial Branch Block & Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Care for facet joint pain is delivered in two steps — first a diagnostic medial branch block (a test injection of local anaesthetic at the nerves supplying the joint) to confirm the source of pain, and if the pain eases clearly, treatment with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by our medical team.
Medial Branch Block (diagnostic test injection)
A medial branch block is a test injection of local anaesthetic at the nerves that supply the facet joints. Its purpose is to confirm a diagnosis of facet joint arthropathy and to predict how well you may respond to nerve ablation, using X-ray guidance with contrast dye to confirm the nerve position and the spread of medication.
This injection is diagnostic, not a permanent treatment. If your pain eases clearly after the injection, the doctor will schedule radiofrequency ablation as the next step.
For diagnosis — not a permanent treatment
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
RFA uses high-frequency radio waves to treat the nerves that carry pain signals from the inflamed joint, reducing pain without affecting the function of other nerves. It is offered to patients who respond to the medial branch block test with a clear reduction in pain.
- A test injection of local anaesthetic at the medial branch nerves (MBB) is given under X-ray and contrast guidance.
- You record your pain score in different positions every 2 hours for 24 hours.
- If the pain eases clearly, the doctor schedules radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
- RFA treats only the nerves carrying the pain, giving longer-lasting relief without affecting other nerves.
Who is it for? (indications for the test and treatment)
- People with chronic neck or back pain and suspected facet joint arthropathy.
- People whose pain is mainly in the neck, sometimes radiating to the shoulder blade or upper back.
- People whose pain is mainly in the lower back, sometimes radiating to the buttock or thigh.
Image-guided injection treatments for pain
Beyond radiofrequency ablation (RFA), several image-guided injection treatments are available, chosen by our medical team according to the cause of your pain. Preparation, aftercare, and precautions follow the same protocol described below.
Facet joint injection (steroid / prolotherapy)
An injection into the facet joint itself under X-ray guidance, to reduce inflammation and ease pain from a worn or inflamed joint. A steroid may be used to reduce inflammation, or prolotherapy to stimulate tissue repair — offered as an adjunct for patients confirmed to have facet joint pain.
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
An anti-inflammatory medication such as a steroid, together with local anaesthetic, is delivered into the epidural space to reduce inflammation of the nerves supplying the arm or leg. It is performed under X-ray with contrast dye to confirm the position, and suits people with pain radiating to the arm or leg from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis that has not responded to medication and physiotherapy. On average the pain relief lasts about 2–3 months, and it also helps pinpoint the source of the pain.
Relief without surgery · about 2–3 months on average
Selective Nerve Root Block
An injection targeted precisely at the specific nerve root causing the pain, under ultrasound or X-ray guidance. It both confirms which nerve root is responsible and reduces inflammation at that point — suited to people with pain clearly radiating along a single nerve root.
Preparing for the procedure
- Avoid food and drink for at least 6 hours before the injection.
- Tell the doctor about any underlying conditions, allergies to local anaesthetic or contrast dye, or blood-thinning / anticoagulant medication — especially warfarin or clopidogrel.
- On the morning of the procedure, take only the regular medication your doctor advises, and skip your morning painkillers so the doctor can judge the true result.
- Bring a relative or carer with you, as no hospital stay is required.
When it should not be done
- A skin infection at the injection site.
- Pregnancy, or suspected pregnancy.
- A history of allergy to local anaesthetic or contrast dye.
- A cardiac pacemaker, or inability to lie face-down for long — for the RFA step.
After the procedure
- You are observed in the recovery area for about 30–60 minutes.
- Record your pain score at home every 2 hours for 24 hours and bring it to your follow-up (in some cases you may email or send a photo via LINE).
- If your pain improves clearly, the doctor schedules radiofrequency ablation (RFA) as the next step.
- You can resume normal daily activities, but should avoid driving yourself after the injection.
Possible complications
- In the first 1–2 days you may have pain or soreness at the site — a cold compress is recommended.
- Pain may not ease immediately, or may briefly increase from inflammation, and you may feel temporarily dizzy.
- Allergy to local anaesthetic or contrast dye, or bleeding / infection at the site (uncommon).
- If a steroid is used, temporary side effects may occur, such as menstrual changes, acne, weight gain or facial/body swelling, and a temporary rise in blood sugar — especially in people with diabetes.
- Neurological complications from injury to a nerve or the spinal cord are very rare.
Price list
ProcedureStarting Thailand price (฿)Starting Thailand price (AUD)Standard Australia price (AUD)
Neck pain treatments
Dry Needling650A$28—
Wet Needling1,800A$78—
Cervical Medial Branch Block (diagnostic)22,000A$957A$1,100
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)45,000A$1,957—
Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection80,000A$3,478A$5,500
Pulsed Radiofrequency45,000A$1,957—
* Indicative prices for reference only. Final pricing depends on an individual assessment. Overseas prices are indicative market estimates for comparison only — contact our team for a personalized quote.
FAQs
Common questions about neck pain procedures
Do the diagnostic injections hurt? How long do they take?
We use fine needles and local anaesthetic. Most procedures take 15–30 minutes and you can go home the same day.
How long does medial branch RF last?
Relief typically lasts many months and the procedure can be repeated if the pain returns. Individual results vary.
Will I need surgery?
Most patients without weakness or spinal cord compression can start with these minimally invasive options. If surgery is genuinely indicated, our team will coordinate the referral.
Get your neck pain properly diagnosed
Book an assessment with our pain-medicine team and find the pathway that matches your symptoms.
Reviewed by The YOUNIFY Clinic medical team · Last reviewed
Individual results may vary. Please consult a doctor before treatment.