Pain Management with Radio Frequency

Chronic neck and back pain is the leading cause for a patient to visit a pain management specialist.

Imagine a treatment that can treat your back and neck pain and allow you to return quickly back to work. All this is possible using the Radio frequency (RE) technology pioneered by COSMAN scientists and engineers.

Radiofrequency Treatment

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe, proven means of interrupting pain signals, such as those coming from an irritated facet joint in the spine. Radio frequency current is used to heat up a small volume of nerve tissue, thereby interrupting pain signals from that specific area. Clinical data shows that RF treatment can effectively provide lasting pain relief.(1,2)

Radio frequency ablation (RFA) Therapy is a simple and effective treatment for chronic pain originating from the neck, upper back, and lower back. RFA is also known as facet denervation or thermo coagulation. Your doctor can determine if RFA treatment is right for you.

During the Procedure

A RF nerve ablation procedure is performed by a doctor in a treatment room setting both local anesthesia and mild sedative may be used.

During the procedure you will be lying either on your back or stomach depending on the treatment location. Your doctor will insert a small needle using X-ray imaging. The doctor will guide the needle to the treatment area close to the spine. An electrode is inserted through the needle to stimulate nearby sensory and motor nerves. Once it is placed correctly a small current will travel through the electrode into surrounding tissue causing the tissue to heat and eliminate pain pathways.

After the Procedure

You may experience some soft tissue discomfort or skin irritation at the needle placement site but like other wounds it should subside after a few days.

Your back or neck pain should subside over the next few weeks. RF treatments of nerves usually blocks pain signals for a prolonged period, up to 2 years. (2) The procedure can be repeated if the nerves regenerates and your pain returns.

You should be able to resume your daily activities including work after RF treatment. Physical restrictions you had prior to the procedure may remain. As with any medical procedures, however minor, there are risks involved. Please ask your doctor for details regarding potential risks.