Radiofrequency Ablation for Neck Pain Kennesaw

Chronic neck pain has a way of creeping into everything. It’s not just the ache—it’s the stiffness that makes turning your head feel restricted, the headaches that start at the base of the skull, the pain that flares during desk work, driving, or looking down at a phone, and the way discomfort can interrupt sleep and leave you feeling worn down before the day even starts.

The good news is that many cases of ongoing neck pain have treatable pain generators—but success depends on getting the diagnosis right. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we focus on identifying what’s actually driving the pain and building a plan that’s least invasive and least drug-dependent whenever medically appropriate. If you’re in Kennesaw or the surrounding Cobb/Cherokee areas, we also understand the practical side: care needs to fit your life—your work schedule, your family responsibilities, and your goals to stay active.

One treatment you may hear about is radiofrequency ablation (RFA). It can be a great option for the right type of neck pain—but it’s important to set expectations: RFA is not for every neck pain problem. It’s a targeted treatment most often used when pain is coming from specific neck joints (called facet joints) and the small nerves that supply them.

What Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Is

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt pain signals coming from specific nerves. In the neck, RFA is most often used to calm pain signals from the medial branch nerves—small nerves that supply sensation to the cervical facet joints.

RFA vs. other common neck pain treatments

People often hear several terms and wonder how they compare:

• RFA vs steroid injections
  Steroid injections are primarily aimed at reducing inflammation. Relief may be temporary and depends on the underlying condition. RFA is aimed at disrupting pain signaling from a confirmed source (often after test blocks).
• RFA vs epidural steroid injection
  An epidural steroid injection is typically used when pain is driven by nerve root irritation, often with symptoms radiating down the arm (true radiculopathy). RFA is more often used for facet-mediated neck pain (joint-related pain), not primarily arm-nerve compression.
• RFA vs surgery
  Surgery is usually considered when there’s a clear structural problem—like significant nerve/spinal cord compression, instability, or other issues that require correction. RFA is a non-surgical, targeted option that may help reduce pain and improve function when the pain generator is appropriate.

Common Causes of Neck Pain RFA May Help

Cervical facet joint arthritis/facet-mediated pain

Facet joints can become arthritic over time, especially with age, repetitive strain, or prior injury. When they’re irritated, they can generate persistent, movement-related neck pain—often worse with looking up or turning the head.

Whiplash-related facet pain (auto injury) that persists

After a car accident, many patients recover with time and therapy. But in some cases, facet joints remain a chronic pain generator long after the initial injury. For select patients, RFA can be considered once the facet source is confirmed.

Degenerative changes causing mechanical neck pain (with facet involvement)

Degeneration can involve discs, joints, and surrounding tissues. If the facet joints are playing a major role, RFA may help reduce that joint-driven pain signal.

Postural strain + underlying facet irritation

“Tech neck,” desk work, and sustained head-forward posture can overload cervical joints and muscles. If posture issues are layered on top of facet irritation, RFA may be part of a broader plan that also includes strengthening and posture retraining.

Adjacent segment pain after prior cervical fusion (when facet-related)

After fusion, nearby segments can take on additional stress. If pain is shown to be facet-mediated at adjacent levels, RFA may be an option to manage symptoms without immediately jumping to another surgery.

The “Test” Before RFA: Medial Branch Blocks

A medial branch block is a procedure where a small amount of numbing medication is placed near the medial branch nerves—the nerves that supply sensation to the cervical facet joints. The goal is straightforward: confirm whether those nerves are carrying your pain signal.
If numbing those nerves leads to clear, meaningful relief, that strongly supports facet-mediated pain—and makes RFA a much more targeted, evidence-based next step.

The number of diagnostic blocks can vary based on clinical judgment and practice standards. Some patients may undergo more than one block to improve diagnostic confidence, especially if the pain pattern is complex.

A successful block typically looks like:

• Clear, time-limited pain relief that matches the expected duration of the numbing medication
• Improved function during the relief window, such as:
  
  • Turning your head more comfortably
  • Driving with less pain
  • Working at a desk longer
  • Sleeping better that night

Who Is a Good Candidate for Cervical RFA

Cervical radiofrequency ablation (RFA) tends to work best when your symptoms and testing point to a very specific pain source: facet-mediated neck pain.

You may be a good candidate if you have:

• Chronic neck pain lasting weeks to months (or longer) that fits a facet pattern
  This often means achy, mechanical neck pain that worsens with looking up or turning your head, sometimes with associated neck-based headaches.
• Pain that returns after temporary relief from medial branch blocks
  The blocks act like a “preview.” If you get clear relief during the block window and then pain returns, RFA may be the next logical step to extend that benefit.
• Limited benefit from conservative care, such as:
  
  • A structured physical therapy/exercise plan
  • Ergonomic changes and posture retraining (especially for desk work and driving triggers)
  • Medication optimization with a least drug-dependent focus whenever possible
• A desire to avoid or delay surgery when surgery isn’t clearly indicated (or when imaging doesn’t show a surgical target that matches your symptoms)
• Clear functional goals, like:
  
  • Sleeping through the night with fewer wake-ups
  • Driving and checking blind spots with less pain
  • Tolerating desk work and meetings
  • Returning to sports, workouts, or daily activity without constant flare-ups

Who May Not Be a Good Candidate (or Needs Extra Planning)

Even when RFA is a strong option, there are times when it’s safer to pause, plan more carefully, or choose a different pathway.

Common reasons RFA may be delayed or not recommended

• Untreated infection, fever, or active illness (safety first)
• Uncontrolled bleeding risk or anticoagulation issues
  This doesn’t always mean “no,” but it does mean we need careful coordination and a safe medication plan.
• Pregnancy considerations (case-by-case; we weigh risks, imaging needs, and timing)
• Symptoms suggesting severe spinal cord compression (myelopathy)
  Signs like balance issues, worsening hand clumsiness, progressive weakness, or coordination problems typically require a different, more urgent evaluation pathway.
• Pain source is not facet-mediated
  If diagnostic blocks aren’t helpful, RFA is unlikely to be the right match.
• Expectations need recalibration
  RFA can be very effective, but relief typically lasts months, not always permanently. Nerves can regenerate over time, and some patients need repeat treatment if pain returns.

What Happens During the RFA Procedure

Pre-procedure planning

• We review your imaging, medical history, medications, allergies, and prior response to medial branch blocks.
• You’ll usually need a driver, especially if sedation is used.
• Sedation decisions vary based on your needs and the plan for the day—some patients do well with local numbing only, while others may benefit from light sedation.

Procedure basics (high-level)

• The procedure is performed using X-ray guidance (fluoroscopy) to precisely target the correct levels.
• The area is numbed with a local anesthetic.
• A specialized needle is positioned near the targeted medial branch nerves.
• Confirmation testing may be performed as appropriate to ensure accurate placement and safety.
• The lesioning step is then performed to disrupt pain signaling through those nerves.

What you may feel

Most patients describe:

• Pressure at the treatment site
• Brief discomfort during certain steps
  Overall, it’s typically well tolerated, and the team’s goal is to keep you comfortable and safe.

Typical duration and discharge

• The procedure is usually relatively efficient, and patients typically go home the same day with post-procedure instructions and follow-up planning.

A Targeted Option for the Right Kind of Neck Pain

Chronic neck pain can make you feel like you’re stuck—stuck avoiding certain movements, stuck waking up sore, stuck planning your day around what your neck will “allow.” But ongoing neck pain doesn’t mean you’re out of options. The key is identifying what’s truly driving your symptoms.

When the cervical facet joints are the source of pain, a stepwise approach—starting with diagnostic medial branch blocks and, if appropriate, moving to radiofrequency ablation (RFA)—can provide meaningful relief and real functional gains. For many patients, that can look like easier head turns while driving, fewer headaches, better sleep, and the ability to work and exercise with less fear of flare-ups.

Neck Pain Relief in Kennesaw at Medici Orthopaedics & Spine

If neck pain has been lingering for weeks or months, consider scheduling an evaluation to determine whether facet joint pain is present and whether cervical RFA may be appropriate for you. 

Main Contact: +1-844-328-4624
Website: https://www.mediciortho.com/

Medici Orthopaedics & Spine – Kennesaw
2911 George Busbee Parkway, Suite 50, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 545-6404