🎙️ PainExam Podcast & Video Show Notes Facet-Mediated Pain, RFA, and Advanced Interventional Strategies 🔥 Episode Overview

In this episode of the PainExam Podcast, David Rosenblum delivers a high-yield, board-focused deep dive into:

Lumbar, cervical, and thoracic facet-mediated pain
Medial branch blocks (MBB) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
Key Medicare / LCD criteria for performing procedures
Advanced therapies including multifidus stimulation and regenerative medicine (PRP)

This episode is essential for pain physicians preparing for the ABA, ABPM, ABIPP, and FIPP board exams — and for those looking to refine their interventional practice.

🧠 Key Topics Covered 🦴 Facet-Mediated Pain (Lumbar, Cervical, Thoracic)

Axial, non-radicular pain
Worse with extension and rotation
Cervical facet pain → often post-whiplash
Thoracic facet pain → underdiagnosed

🔬 High-Yield Anatomy & Innervation

Dual innervation of facet joints
L5–S1 facet → L5 dorsal ramus (board favorite)
C2–3 facet → third occipital nerve

💉 Diagnosis & Medicare Criteria

Gold standard: Medial branch blocks (NOT imaging)
Medicare requires:
- Chronic pain ≥ 3 months
- Failed conservative therapy
- Two diagnostic blocks with ≥80% relief

⚡ Interventional Treatment

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
- 6–12 month relief
- Repeatable
Proper needle placement and stimulation techniques

🚀 Advanced & Emerging Therapies

Multifidus stimulation
- Restores spinal stability
- Treats underlying dysfunction
PRP / Regenerative Medicine
- Targets inflammation and tissue healing
- Growing role in pain management

🎯 Board Prep Takeaways

Facet pain = axial + extension-based
Diagnosis = medial branch blocks
Know cervical vs lumbar differences
Medicare requires dual blocks before RFA
L5 dorsal ramus = high-yield exam concept

🎓 Pain Board Prep & CME Resources

If you're preparing for your boards or want to advance your clinical skills:

👉 Start your Pain Board Review: https://nrappain.org

👉 Access Question Banks, Lectures & Virtual Fellowship: https://nrappain.org

👉 PainExam Platform: https://painexam.com

🏆 Why Pain Physicians Choose NRAP Academy

Comprehensive ABA / ABPM / ABIPP / FIPP board prep
High-yield lectures + MCQs
Ultrasound-guided procedure training
Regenerative medicine education
Virtual Pain Fellowship curriculum

🎤 Upcoming Live Training & Conferences

Join Dr. Rosenblum at upcoming events:

ASPN 2026 Annual Meeting — Ultrasound & regenerative medicine labs
PainWeek 2026 — Lectures on:
- Image-guided interventions
- Ultrasound integration
- Regenerative pain therapies
- AI in pain management

🔗 Connect & Learn More

🌐 NRAP Academy: https://nrappain.org
📚 PainExam Board Prep: https://painexam.com
🎥 YouTube: NRAP Academy
🎓 Courses: Ultrasound & Regenerative Medicine Training

📢 Call to Action

If you're serious about passing your pain boards and mastering interventional pain:

✅ Subscribe to the PainExam Podcast ✅ Join the Virtual Pain Fellowship ✅ Attend a live ultrasound or regenerative medicine course