Long-lasting relief for chronic back, neck, and joint pain caused by arthritis — without surgery or opioids. Our board-certified physiatrists perform fluoroscopic-guided RFA right here in the Lake Norman area, with same-week appointments and no hospital facility fees.
Medically reviewed by Usman Ahmad, DO, board-certified physiatrist · Last reviewed May 2026
When a facet joint in your spine becomes arthritic, the tiny medial branch nerves around that joint send a continuous pain signal. RFA uses radio waves to generate heat at the tip of a thin needle, creating a small, controlled lesion on those nerves so they can no longer transmit pain. The joint itself is untouched — only the nerve's ability to signal pain is interrupted.
Because the targeted nerves slowly regenerate over time, RFA is not permanent — but it is repeatable, and for many patients it breaks a cycle of chronic pain that medication and facet injections could only manage temporarily. It is a cornerstone of non-surgical, non-opioid pain management in Huntersville.
Our physiatrists most often recommend RFA for patients whose pain comes from worn, arthritic joints rather than disc or nerve-root problems — that distinction matters, because RFA targets joint-related nerve pain specifically. Conditions we commonly treat with RFA include:
We perform a short numbing injection to the exact nerves we plan to treat. If it relieves your pain, that confirms those nerves are the source — and that RFA is the right next step.
The entire procedure is done in our Huntersville office using image guidance — no hospital, no general anesthesia, and you go home the same day.
A board-certified physiatrist reviews your history and imaging, examines you, and confirms whether facet-joint arthritis is driving your pain.
A short numbing injection to the target nerves confirms they are the pain source before we commit to ablation.
On procedure day, we numb the skin and tissue with a local anesthetic. A mild sedative is available if you'd like one, but most patients don't need it.
Using fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance, a thin needle is positioned at the exact medial branch nerve — so treatment is accurate every time.
Radiofrequency energy gently heats the nerve for a short time, creating a small lesion that stops the pain signal. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes.
After a brief observation period you go home to rest. Most patients resume normal activity within one to two days.
Recovery is quick. You may have mild soreness or bruising at the injection site for a few days, eased with ice and over-the-counter medication. Full pain relief often takes one to three weeks to set in as the treated nerves quiet down. Most patients return to work and normal routines within 24 to 72 hours. Research consistently shows that among patients who first responded to a diagnostic block, a majority — frequently cited in the range of 70–80% — experience significant, lasting relief.
As an independent clinic, we never add the facility fees that can double or triple your bill at health-system pain centers. Learn why →
Our physiatrists both pinpoint the source of your pain and perform the procedure — no referral chain, no bouncing between providers.
New Huntersville patients are usually seen within the week, not the 6–12 weeks typical of hospital pain clinics.
Every RFA uses live image guidance so the energy reaches the exact nerve — for safer, more effective, repeatable results.
RFA is part of our function-first approach that exhausts every non-surgical, non-addictive option before surgery is ever discussed.
We work with most major plans and verify your coverage before your visit. Insurance & payments →
RFA is a fluoroscopic spine procedure that rewards precision and careful patient selection — so it's performed by our board-certified physiatrists, both fellowship-trained in interventional spine care with a diagnostics-first approach.
No — the area is numbed with a local anesthetic first, so most patients feel only pressure during the procedure. A mild sedative is available if you'd prefer one. Afterward, some temporary soreness at the site is normal and usually settles within a few days with ice and over-the-counter medication.
Most patients get 6 to 8 months of relief, and many can get up to a year. The treated nerves slowly regenerate over time, so relief isn't permanent — but RFA can be repeated safely when pain returns, making it a dependable long-term option for chronic arthritic back and neck pain.
Yes, RFA is covered by most major insurance plans when criteria are met, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Humana, and Tricare. As an independent clinic we don't charge hospital facility fees. Call (704) 542-3988 and we'll verify your benefits before your visit.
Most patients come to us directly without a referral. Some insurance plans do require one from your primary care physician — if that's your situation, our team will help you get it quickly so it doesn't delay your care.
We offer same-week appointments for new patients at our Huntersville clinic and across the Lake Norman area. Rather than waiting months for a hospital pain center, you can usually be evaluated within days. Book online or call (704) 542-3988.
A steroid injection reduces inflammation and typically lasts weeks to a few months. RFA goes a step further — it interrupts the nerve carrying the pain signal, delivering relief that usually lasts 6 to 8 months. Injections are often used first; RFA is the longer-lasting option when relief proves the nerve is the source.
RFA is considered very safe and is performed under live image guidance to protect surrounding structures. It's minimally invasive with little downtime. The most common effects are temporary soreness, bruising, or numbness near the site. Serious complications are rare, and your physiatrist will review your individual risks beforehand.
Yes. Because the treated nerves regenerate over months, the procedure can be repeated when pain returns — often with similar results. Many patients with chronic facet arthritis have RFA on a recurring basis as a long-term alternative to daily medication or surgery.
Our Huntersville clinic is located at 9920 Kincey Ave, Suite 200, Huntersville, NC 28078 — just off Gilead Road and easily reached from I-77 (Exit 23). We serve patients across Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, Denver, and Troutman, without the drive uptown or a large hospital campus to navigate.
Free on-site patient parking is available and the building is wheelchair accessible. Most patients don't need a referral — call (704) 542-3988 and we'll confirm your coverage before your visit.
If chronic back or neck pain from arthritis is running your life, RFA may be the lasting relief you've been looking for. Same-week appointments are open for Huntersville patients now — usually no referral, no facility fees.
