Why Radiofrequency Ablation May Be the Solution to Your Chronic Back Pain

Your back is an incredibly complex combination of bones, joints, discs, and connective tissues, all of which need to work together to provide the foundational support for your body. So when something goes wrong, the effect can be widespread, seriously hampering your ability to function normally. 

With dual board certification in anesthesiology and a subspecialty in pain medicine, Dr. Shyam Purswani, MD, has helped countless patients overcome chronic low back pain and reclaim active lives. At his private practice in San Antonio, Dr. Purswani provides individualized treatment plans using the latest leading-edge solutions, including radiofrequency ablation. 

In this blog, Dr. Purswani breaks down this minimally invasive procedure and explains how it may help your chronic back pain.

What causes low back pain?

Your back contains many different components, which is why back pain can occur for multiple reasons. For example, accidents, injuries, and even just bending or twisting the wrong way can cause sprains and strains, as well as ruptured discs and long-lasting joint trouble. Other issues, such as poor posture, arthritis, carrying excessive weight, and psychological stress, can also result in discomfort. 

The bottom line is that back pain can be caused by anything from acute strains to degenerative conditions that compromise the nerves in your back. No matter the cause of your back problem, if you’re left with pain that resists traditional measures, such as medications and physical therapy, you need to find a solution that works. In these cases, advanced treatments like radiofrequency ablation can provide long-lasting and effective back pain relief.

Radiofrequency ablation 101

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation relies on a high-frequency electrical current to create heat in a small targeted area of your nerve tissue. The treatment succeeds in offering relief by disrupting pain signals to your brain.

After administering a local anesthetic, Dr. Purswani uses X-ray imaging to guide a small needle to the affected area and we insert a microelectrode through the needle to deliver the RF energy. 

Many people feel a tingling sensation, which indicates that the electrode is in the right place. Once we confirm the placement of the electrode, we deliver a small current to ablate the nerve that’s causing your pain.

The results of radiofrequency ablation

The amount of pain relief experienced after radiofrequency ablation varies from patient to patient and is based on the precise cause of your discomfort and the specific location of the pain. That said, more than 70% of patients report a noticeable improvement in their chronic back pain after treatment. 

Relief can last from six months to a year — even more in some cases — much longer than most other back pain treatments, such as nerve blocks or injections. The reduction in pain also allows you time to build stronger muscles to reduce your chances of experiencing further pain down the road.

Safety of radiofrequency ablation

Not only has radiofrequency ablation been found to provide relief from many types of chronic back pain, but treatment also carries very few risks. 

We perform the procedure right in our office, and you’re free to return home afterward.

Most patients who undergo radiofrequency ablation for back pain can return to their regular diet immediately following the procedure and resume normal activities in just a day or two.

If you’re tired of unresolved chronic back pain, please give us a call to find out whether radiofrequency ablation is right for you. Or you can schedule an appointment with our online booking tool.