How Does Radiofrequency Ablation Work?

You may have heard about how radiofrequency ablation helps ease chronic pain, but you aren’t sure how it works. Read on to learn more about it and why it may be a helpful next step when other treatments aren’t giving you enough relief.

Happy New Year! A fresh start often brings a renewed focus on health, especially if chronic pain has been slowing you down.

If you’re living with ongoing back, neck, or joint pain that hasn’t responded well to medication or injections, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the new year could be the breakthrough you’ve been seeking.

At Florida Pain Medicine, our goal is to help you find lasting relief using advanced, minimally invasive treatments. Radiofrequency ablation is one of the proven options we use to help patients reduce pain and return to an active lifestyle.

Many of our patients ask us how this interventional therapy actually works, so we’ve crafted this post to explain.

What does radiofrequency ablation do?

Radiofrequency ablation targets specific nerves that carry pain signals from a problem area (most commonly in the spine, neck, or joints) to your brain.

These nerves act like electrical wires, transmitting discomfort even after the original injury or arthritis flare has calmed down.

RFA works by gently disrupting those pain pathways. Using carefully controlled heat energy, the procedure interrupts the nerve’s ability to send pain messages.

The result is long-lasting relief without surgery or extended downtime.

When should I consider RFA?

Radiofrequency ablation is commonly used to treat pain caused by arthritis in the spine or joints, degenerative disc disease, and other conditions that lead to nerve irritation.

Your provider might recommend RFA when chronic pain continues despite more conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or steroid injections.

If diagnostic nerve blocks have helped temporarily, that’s often a good sign that you may respond well to RFA.

How does the RFA procedure work?

At Florida Pain Medicine, our providers use advanced image-guided techniques to ensure safe, precise, and effective treatment.

Because RFA is highly targeted, it does not affect surrounding tissues or muscle function.

It’s done using local anesthesia to keep you comfortable and sometimes, a light sedative to help you relax.

Guided by fluoroscopy (a type of live X-ray), your provider inserts a thin needle to reach the targeted nerve.

A small electrode then passes through the needle, delivering heat energy generated by radiofrequency waves. This process safely disrupts the nerve’s function, so it can no longer send pain signals.

Most patients describe a mild warm sensation but no significant pain during the procedure. And because radiofrequency ablation is performed as an outpatient procedure, you can go home the same day.

What can I expect after RFA?

Once the procedure is complete, a small bandage is placed on the intervention site. You’ll rest briefly in the office before heading home.

You might have some mild soreness or numbness for a short time, but most patients notice improvement within days. Significant pain relief can last for several months, or even longer, depending on how quickly the treated nerve regenerates.

Many of our patients at Florida Pain Medicine report being able to move more easily, exercise again, or reduce their reliance on pain medication after RFA.

How can I learn if RFA is right for me?

If chronic pain is interfering with your goals this year, you don’t have to keep pushing through it. Radiofrequency ablation may be the right next step to help you feel and move better.

The only way to learn if RFA is the treatment for you is by talking to a specialist who can recommend the best therapies for your needs.

Your Florida Pain Medicine provider can determine whether you’re a candidate based on your medical history, pain pattern, and imaging results.

Schedule an appointment today to learn whether radiofrequency ablation is right for you and take the first step toward less pain in the new year.