Two hundred and twenty five patients with suspected lumbar facet arthropathy scheduled to undergo diagnostic lumbar facet blocks will be enrolled in this study at WRNMMC and randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio into one of 3 groups. Group 1 will receive IA blocks with steroids and LA, group 2 will receive MBB with steroids and LA, and group 3 will receive MBB with only saline. Subjects and (but not injecting physicians) evaluators will be blinded throughout their participation in the study as to treatment allocation. The nerves and joints to be blocked will be determined by physical exam (i.e. the location of paraspinal tenderness), and radiological findings.