Know All Your Options
(Before Drugs or Surgery)
Our team of diverse professionals combine a holistic approach to address pain at the source.
What is Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)?
Radiofrequency Ablation, also known as "Rhizotomy," is a minimally invasive clinical procedure used to provide long-term relief for chronic neck and back pain. When Facet Blocks provide a temporary "diagnostic" window of relief, RFA is next used to create a more lasting solution by interrupting the transmission of pain signals at the source.The procedure involves using thermal (heat) energy generated by a specialized radiofrequency needle to create a small, precise lesion on the medial branch nerves. These are the small sensory nerves that carry pain signals from the spinal joints to the brain. By "quieting" these specific nerves, we can significantly reduce or eliminate localized spinal pain for a period typically lasting 6 to 12 months, or until the nerve fibers naturally regenerate.
The Goodlife Approach: A Strategic Bridge to a Permanent Resolution
At Goodlife Physical Medicine, we do not view Radiofrequency Ablation as a lifelong recurring treatment. In our multidisciplinary framework, RFA is a powerful strategic bridge.The primary barrier to a CURE in chronic spinal cases is often "pain-limited progress"—where a patient's pain is so severe that they cannot tolerate the physical adjustments or corrective exercises needed to fix their underlying mechanics. By utilizing RFA to provide a 12-month window of relief, we are not just masking pain; we are buying time. This extended period allows our Chiropractors and Physical Therapists to aggressively address your postural distortions, core weaknesses, and structural misalignments. Our goal is to use this window to fix your body so thoroughly that when the nerves eventually grow back, the original mechanical stressor is gone, and the pain does not return.
Right for You?
Radiofrequency Ablation may be a necessary component of your multidisciplinary treatment plan if you experience:
- Chronic neck or back pain that has lasted longer than six months.
- Significant, though temporary, relief from previous Facet Joint Injections or Medial Branch Blocks.
- Pain that worsens with standing, walking, or leaning backward.
- Arthritis of the spine (Spondylosis) or Facet Syndrome.
- A desire to reduce or eliminate the need for long-term pain medications.
Potential Benefits
- Long-Term Pain Management: Provides a significantly longer relief window than traditional steroid injections.
- Enhanced Rehabilitative Capacity: Opens a "functional window" for 6–18 months, allowing for deep structural correction and physical therapy.
- Avoidance of Major Surgery: Offers a highly effective, non-surgical alternative for patients with degenerative joint disease.
- Minimal Downtime: An outpatient procedure that allows most patients to return to light activity within 24–48 hours.
- Precision and Safety: Performed under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance to ensure only the targeted sensory nerves are affected, leaving motor nerves untouched.
How It Works
4 Locations: Serving the South Bay of Los Angeles
Know your coverage
(You may be covered)
Proud providers of major insurance companies
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Disclaimers: Individual results may vary. Radiofrequency Ablation is a medical procedure performed by a licensed physician as part of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary care plan. While it provides long-term relief, it is not a permanent "cure" on its own; its success is maximized when combined with active structural rehabilitation. The clinical necessity of RFA is determined by a successful response to diagnostic "test" blocks. Insurance coverage is subject to your carrier's evaluation of medical necessity and individual plan benefits.