Text by Fred Wilkinson

Millions of Americans live with pain as part of their everyday lives.

In 2019, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that 20.4% of American adults had chronic pain, and 7.4% of adults had chronic pain they said frequently limited their lifestyle or work activities. CDC found chronic pain was highest among women and people aged 65 and older.

While the reality of millions of Americans living with pain hurts the conscience, it’s important to remember that there also are many more millions of concerned and caring family members of those living with pain who also are sharing in the challenges of alleviating their loved one’s pain while helping them to live full lives of activity and well-being.

SEEKING CARE TO RELIEVE PAIN

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults seek out medical care.

In addition to the daily physical discomfort and mental stress people living with chronic pain must contend with, long-term sufferers of chronic pain are at heightened risk to develop further health complications and poor mental health.

PAIN REDUCTION WITH RADIOFREQUENCY NERVE ABLATION

Radiofrequency nerve ablation is a minimally invasive procedure. Also known as radiofrequency rhizotomy, radiofrequency nerve ablation can reduce or eliminate pain in damaged facet joints by disrupting medial branch nerves, which carry the pain signals.

Radiofrequency nerve ablation uses heat generated by radio waves to target specific nerves and temporarily turn off their ability to send pain signals.

Only local anesthetic is required when performing radiofrequency nerve ablation. Florida Spine & Pain Center specialists insert needles through the skin near the patient’s pain-afflicted area to deliver radio waves directly to the targeted nerves.

The procedure can be a solution for several types of chronic pain. Radiofrequency nerve ablation is most commonly an option for patients suffering from pain in the back, neck, and buttocks (sacroiliac joint) and may also help with long-term knee or hip joint pain.

REALIZE PAIN RELIEF

Florida Spine & Pain Center’s goal as a practice is to decrease pain and enhance physical performance without surgery, and patients can expect to be treated by Florida Spine & Pain Center’s team of experienced physicians and compassionate staff employing the latest technology to achieve favorable patient experiences and outcomes.

To learn if radiofrequency nerve ablation is the answer to alleviating your pain chronic, call Florida Spine & Pain Center’s office at (954) 447-5206 to schedule your appointment.