Vocabulary
May 19, 2025
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie: radio waves, ablation, burning nerves. But the truth? It’s far more boring than it sounds. And that’s a good thing.  Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) isn’t surgery. It’s not painful. And for many people living with chronic pain, it’s one of the most effective, low-impact treatments available.

So what is it, really?

At its core, RFA uses heat generated by radio waves to gently interrupt pain signals coming from specific nerves. Not all nerves, just the ones causing the problem. By applying a tiny, controlled heat pulse to those nerves, RFA “turns down the volume” on the pain, often for months at a time.

Who’s it for?

If you’ve been living with:
  1. Ongoing neck or back pain
  2. Arthritis-related joint pain
  3. Facet joint or sacroiliac joint inflammation
  4. Pain that responds to nerve blocks, but always returns
…RFA might be worth considering. It’s typically used when other options like physical therapy, injections, or medications have helped a little, but not enough. And it can delay or even help avoid the need for surgery in many cases.

What does it feel like?

Most people are surprised by how uneventful the procedure feels. You’ll lie down, receive a local anesthetic (and sometimes a mild sedative), and the doctor will use imaging to guide a very thin probe to the nerve. You might feel a bit of pressure. Maybe some warmth. But not pain. The entire procedure usually takes under an hour, and most people go home the same day.

The relief isn’t instant, but it’s real

You won’t walk out pain-free, but give it time. It can take days or weeks for the nerve to fully quiet down. Once it does, the results can last anywhere from six months to over a year. And when the pain starts to creep back? The procedure can often be repeated safely.
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