Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Pain
Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive pain treatment that uses heat from radio waves, delivered through a fine needle placed under imaging guidance, to interrupt the specific nerves sending pain signals. It is used for long-standing pain that has not responded to simpler measures — such as facet-joint back and neck pain, trigeminal neuralgia and some cancer pain.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targets the small nerves that carry pain from a specific structure — most often the facet joints of the spine, but also nerves involved in trigeminal neuralgia or cancer-related pain. Under X-ray or ultrasound guidance, the specialist positions a fine needle next to the target nerve and delivers radiofrequency energy that gently heats and interrupts it, reducing the pain signals it sends to the brain.
Because it treats the pain pathway rather than the whole body, RFA can reduce or avoid the need for long-term painkillers. It is usually offered after a diagnostic nerve block has confirmed that the target nerve is the source of the pain, so the treatment is directed precisely. The effect is not permanent — nerves can slowly regrow over months to a year or more — but the procedure can be repeated when the pain returns.
For international patients, a dedicated coordinator arranges the assessment, a clear plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before travel. Our pain specialists can review your reports and imaging remotely to advise whether radiofrequency ablation is likely to help, so the visit is planned efficiently and your after-care can continue at home.
Who is a candidate?
- People with chronic facet-joint pain in the back or neck confirmed by a diagnostic nerve block
- Patients with trigeminal neuralgia or certain other nerve-related facial pain
- People with cancer-related pain from nerves compressed or irritated by a tumor
- Those whose pain has not settled with medication, physiotherapy or injections alone
- Patients seeking to reduce reliance on long-term pain medication
- People fit for a minimally invasive, image-guided day-case procedure
What happens
- 1
Assessment
A pain specialist reviews your history, examination and imaging to map the likely source of your pain and confirm that radiofrequency ablation is a suitable option.
- 2
Diagnostic block
A test injection (diagnostic nerve block) is usually done first. If it relieves your pain temporarily, it confirms the target nerve and predicts whether ablation will help.
- 3
The procedure
Under local anesthetic and light sedation, a fine needle is guided to the nerve using X-ray or ultrasound. Radiofrequency energy is applied for a short time to interrupt the nerve. You are awake enough to give feedback during positioning.
- 4
Recovery and follow-up
You rest briefly and go home the same day. Some soreness for a few days is normal, and pain relief often builds over one to three weeks. Your team reviews the result and can advise on repeat treatment if pain returns.
Benefits
- Minimally invasive, image-guided day-case procedure with no incision
- Targets the specific pain pathway rather than treating the whole body
- Can meaningfully reduce chronic pain and the need for long-term painkillers
- Relief often lasts from several months to a year or more
- Can be repeated if the treated nerve regrows and pain returns
Risks & considerations
- Temporary soreness, bruising or numbness around the treated area
- The pain may only partly improve, or return as the nerve regrows over time
- A short-lived increase in pain in the first days after the procedure
- Uncommon risks include infection, bleeding, or injury to a nearby nerve
- Not every type of pain responds, which is why a diagnostic block is used first
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is delivered by our Pain Management.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Pain — frequently asked questions
A nerve block injects medication to numb or calm a nerve, usually for shorter-term relief and to confirm the pain source. Radiofrequency ablation goes a step further, using heat to interrupt that nerve for longer-lasting relief. A block is often done first to check the target before ablation.
It is done under local anesthetic, usually with light sedation, so you are comfortable. You may feel pressure and are kept awake enough to give feedback while the needle is positioned. Some soreness for a few days afterwards is normal.
Relief commonly lasts from several months to a year or more, but it is not permanent because the treated nerve can slowly regrow. When pain returns, the procedure can usually be repeated. Your specialist will discuss what to expect for your specific condition.
Our pain specialists can review your reports and imaging remotely and give an opinion on whether radiofrequency ablation is likely to help. A diagnostic block after you arrive gives the clearest answer before proceeding to ablation.
Radiofrequency ablation is a day-case procedure, so no overnight stay is usually needed, though your coordinator confirms the timeline including any diagnostic block. We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after reviewing your case and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual.
Related treatments
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