Can Radiofrequency Denervation Help My Lower Back Pain?

Are you in the San Antonio area and experiencing frequent lower back pain? Back pain is a minor annoyance for most, but, left untreated, it can begin to interfere severely with their regular day-to-day lives. Back pain can become chronic and prevent you from sleeping, moving, or performing well at your job. Fortunately, help is available. The office of Dr. Raul Martinez, one of the foremost Texas pain specialists, offers several minimally-invasive ways to deal with back pain, including radiofrequency denervation.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain can result from any number of causes, including spinal compression, pulled muscles, ruptured disks, or other muscular or skeletal injuries. It can also result from pre-existing conditions such as arthritis, and can even be an indicator of certain types of cancer. Back pain can be exacerbated by smoking, poor posture, lack of exercise, or improper form when exercising. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and practicing good posture (including while sitting and sleeping), can all help prevent or relieve lower back pain. However, when back pain is chronic or gets so severe that it interferes with your daily life, it may need to be addressed medically.

What is Radiofrequency Denervation?

Radiofrequency denervation, or radiofrequency ablation, is a minimally-invasive, non-surgical treatment for lower back pain relief. A pain management doctor will locate the nerve that is causing your back pain and use a needle, heated with radiofrequency waves, to deaden the nerve, making it unable to send pain signals to your brain. Radiofrequency waves are used because they can treat the necessary area without affecting other parts of the body. The procedure is fast and can be performed outpatient without much preparation. It can be used to treat pain in many parts of the body, including the lower back.

You are likely wondering, “Can radiofrequency denervation help my lower back pain?” The Mayo Clinic reports that radiofrequency ablation is successful for over 70% of patients in helping relieve pain. Many patients who have undergone radiofrequency ablation describe the procedure itself as comfortable and harmless and the pain relief as lasting and effective.

How Should I Prepare For Radiofrequency Denervation?

Radiofrequency denervation can be performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require excessive preparation. Your pain management doctor will likely advise you to stop taking any medication that thins your blood, including aspirin, for a few days prior, and make sure to have a ride arranged to and from the clinic.

How Long Does Radiofrequency Denervation Last?

Nerves do regrow over time, so, if the underlying cause of your pain is not addressed, you will eventually have to undergo the procedure again. Radiofrequency denervation procedures result in lower back pain relief for as long as two years, though the efficacy may decrease over time. In that time period, you may be able to address the underlying causes of your pain and prevent it from coming back.

What are the Complications of Radiofrequency Denervation?

Radiofrequency denervation is low-risk and patients do not often experience complications. Some patients experience increased pain for a few days, which eventually subsides. However, you should avoid the procedure if you are pregnant, experiencing an infection, or are prone to excessive bleeding.

If radiofrequency denervation sounds right for you, get in touch with the San Antonio office of Dr. Raul Martinez. Our team of Texas pain specialists can help you regain your comfort through the use of non-surgical and minimally-invasive procedures, including radiofrequency denervation. You can learn more about the range of non-surgical back pain procedures that we offer on our website. Call us at 210-441-4333 or book an appointment on our website to see how we can help you with your pain.

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