Radiofrequency ablation uses heat produced by radio waves to effectively destroy cancerous tumors. For this procedure, doctors utilize live images from an ultrasound or CT scan to guide a needle-like probe directly into and around the area surrounding the tumor.
Laser and radiofrequency skin treatments are non-surgical ways of improving the texture, tone and elasticity of your skin without surgery or significant downtime. These procedures are virtually painless with virtually no downtime afterwards.
What is RF Ablation?
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a noninvasive medical procedure that uses heat to destroy tissue. RFA can be used to treat tumors and nerve fibers that cause discomfort. At UCSF, experts trained in various RFA techniques exist; for example pulsed radiofrequency ablation (pulse RF) delivers intermittent bursts of energy to target areas to avoid damaging nearby tissues; it may help treat benign bone growths like osteoid osteoma as well as some cancerous tumors.
A radiologist will guide a hollow needle into the area requiring treatment and use CT scanning or other imaging technology to make sure it is in the appropriate spot. When they have confirmed its position, he or she will administer local anesthetic through the hollow needle to numb it before sending radiofrequency current through it to destroy tissue and stop pain signals from reaching their brain. Multiple nerves may be treated during one treatment session.
Facet RFA is a procedure that targets and disrupts small medial branch nerves in your spine’s facet joints, such as those located between bones in your neck or lower back, or the lateral branch nerve of the sacroiliac joint (at the bottom of your spine). By blocking these pain signals from being sent directly to your brain, Facet RFA helps control chronic pain that doesn’t respond to other treatments like medication or physical therapy.
Your doctor will likely suggest rest and limited activity after having facet RFA done, such as having someone drive you home afterward and sleeping. While soreness or stiffness at the injection site might persist for several days post-procedure, this should subside quickly.
What is RF Therapy?
Radiofrequency (RF) treatment is an effective and minimally invasive solution to alleviate neck, back, and lower back pain. Electrodes placed under the skin deliver RF energy which targets nerve transmission pathways to interrupt pain signals reaching the brain – similar to surgery but without a lengthy recovery period or pain! Compared to surgery this form of treatment often requires no painkillers for recovery afterward.
RF skin tightening treatments use heat generated from radio frequency energy to target wrinkles, sagging skin and improve overall tone and texture of the skin. By penetrating into the dermis to stimulate collagen production for tightening effects that give a more youthful appearance than facelifts or other surgical cosmetic procedures, this form of skin tightening treatments offers an attractive alternative solution.
This technique can also have many medical uses, including shrinking tumours and fibrous tissues and creating tissue damage that enhances other treatments. Furthermore, RF energy heats tissue to destroy bacteria and foster healing, making this an effective method for treating acne and rosacea as well.
After receiving an RF ablation treatment, you may require either a CT or MRI scan to assess its success and other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, may also be necessary to get rid of cancer or manage its symptoms.
RF ablation does carry certain risks, including infection and bleeding as well as cancer recurrence (recurrence). Recurrences are more likely to happen with cancers that started elsewhere such as kidney or liver, diabetes or heart disease patients or when receiving multiple treatments simultaneously for those diagnosed with them. A follow up RF treatment might be required in order to remove any remaining cancerous cells.
What are the Benefits of RF Therapy?
RF treatments provide more than cosmetic skin tightening; they also address specific health concerns like dry eye. The benefits of RF technology relate to its ability to improve meibomian gland function; energy waves from RF technology heat deeper layers of skin and trigger healing responses, unblocking obstructed glands that lead to dry eye symptoms. Furthermore, they reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyelids making RF treatments an excellent way to rejuvenate them without surgery or injections.
RF therapy can also reduce loose skin by stimulating collagen production. As we age, natural levels of collagen and elastin decline, leading to loose, saggy skin that loses firmness over time. By stimulating production with radiofrequency waves therapy treatments such as this one, firmer, more youthful-looking skin tone may result.
As its name implies, radiofrequency (RF) therapy is an effective solution for relieving pain in the neck, back, and lower back. By targeting nerve roots with electromagnetic energy that blocks pain signals from reaching the brain and provides lasting pain relief without medication or surgery being needed.
Profound RF offers an effective nonsurgical and noninvasive solution for loose or sagging skin on the face, neck, abdomen, arms and legs. Combining radio frequency energy with microneedling stimulates collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production while simultaneously helping reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as dark spots, discoloration and pore size.
What are the Side Effects of RF Therapy?
Radio frequency treatments have proven themselves highly effective at tightening skin, smoothing lines and wrinkles, as well as helping eliminate fat deposits. They are quick, painless, and offer immediate results; however, like any procedure they come with some potential side effects which should be considered prior to beginning treatment.
RF therapy uses heat to penetrate deeper layers of your skin, increasing collagen and elastin production as well as eliminating some fat cells. Due to this procedure, temporary redness and swelling in the treated area may occur; these side effects usually go away within a few days.
After receiving an RF treatment, the tingling sensation that you experience is caused by heat from the RF energy being generated by it. This heat stimulates your body’s natural repair processes which may cause some slight inflammation and tingling sensations as part of its healing process – this is part of the healing process and ensures your body is treating the area efficiently.
Another potential side effect of radio frequency therapy may include dry, crusty flakes on your skin. This is caused by heat from the RF energy causing small injuries on its surface; this process is part of healing itself and should help create smoother, evener-looking skin over time.
If you are considering RF ablation as a treatment option for your back pain, it is essential that you discuss both its potential risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Furthermore, following his or her instructions after the procedure to minimize risks and accelerate recovery are vital steps.
RF therapy is an effective solution to relieve chronic nerve root compression or inflammation pain, as well as treating spinal disorders that don’t respond to other conservative therapies.
What are the Alternative Treatment Options?
Alternative healing methods involve various practices and treatments with different potential risks and side effects. If this interests you, speak to your practitioner about them.
Elevate Physio utilizes targeted radiofrequency therapy to deliver energy deep within tissue, thus aiding healing, decreasing muscle spasms, and increasing vascularisation in the area.
Radiofrequency energy treatment is generally considered painless; application areas are numbed with local anesthesia prior to radiofrequency energy delivery to nerve roots. Results typically take several days before being felt as radiofrequency energy blocks the transmission of nerve pain signals to the brain, providing relief from chronic back and neck pain.
RFA procedures may help alleviate spinal-related neck, back and lower back pain as well as nerve-related discomfort caused by compression or inflammation of nerve roots. A CT or MRI scan should be scheduled a few weeks post-procedure to assess its success; this helps determine if further treatments are required.
