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Same-day appointments available · 281 Broadway, Lower Manhattan · Most insurance accepted
Home › Treatments › Radiofrequency Ablation
Back & Neck Pain · New York City

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) in New York City

If you've tried physical therapy and injections without lasting relief, RFA may be the next step. Hudson Medical's board-certified pain specialists use live fluoroscopy-guided RFA to disrupt pain signals at the nerve — not just reduce inflammation temporarily.

  • ✓Same-day appointments and treatment at 281 Broadway
  • ✓Most major insurance accepted
  • ✓Live fluoroscopy on every procedure
  • ✓Board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists
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RFA may be right for you
if you have:

Pain that won't quit
Chronic back or neck pain that hasn't improved with injections or physical therapy
Confirmed facet pain
Pain confirmed to originate from facet joints via diagnostic nerve blocks
Want longer relief
A desire for longer-lasting relief — 9 to 18 months, not just weeks
Want to avoid surgery
A preference to avoid surgery or more aggressive intervention
Sound familiar? Same-day appointments, no referral required.
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Why RFA works

Most pain treatments reduce inflammation. RFA stops the signal.

Radiofrequency ablation uses precisely targeted heat to interrupt the medial branch nerves transmitting pain from facet joints — delivering relief that typically lasts 9 to 18 months. When the nerve regrows, the procedure can be repeated.

  • Steroid injections reduce inflammation temporarily — RFA disrupts the nerve itself
  • Physical therapy builds strength but cannot resolve confirmed facet joint pain
  • Most patients resume normal activity within 24–72 hours
  • Image guidance ensures the ablation targets the correct nerve with precision

Our approach: live fluoroscopy guides every ablation to the exact medial branch nerve, with an accuracy blind or landmark-based technique can’t match.

What's driving it

What drives facet joint pain?

RFA targets the medial branch nerves serving facet joints. These are the conditions most commonly treated.

Procedures at Hudson Medical

RFA and related interventions at Hudson Medical

All performed at 281 Broadway, Lower Manhattan. Outpatient. Image-guided. Same-day appointments.

Gold standard

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Targeted heat disrupts medial branch nerves at the facet joint — stopping the signal, not just the inflammation. The gold standard for confirmed facet-mediated pain.

2–4 weeks to full effect
Required before RFA

Medial branch blocks

Confirms the exact joint before ablation. Two successful blocks required — also providing immediate relief while building toward RFA candidacy.

Relief within hours
Fluoroscopy-guided

Epidural steroid injections

Corticosteroid delivered precisely to an inflamed nerve root. First-line treatment for disc herniation, stenosis, and radiculopathy.

Relief within 3–7 days
Image-guided

Sacroiliac joint injections

Frequently missed pain source. Steroid under fluoroscopy — diagnosis and relief in one visit. Can lead to SI joint RFA for lasting relief.

Relief within 1–5 days
Regenerative

PRP for disc and facet degeneration

Growth factors from your own blood injected into degenerative structures — promoting healing at the source, not just symptom relief.

Results over 4–8 weeks

Not sure if RFA is right for you?

Our specialists review your imaging and history before recommending anything. No procedure is performed without a confirmed diagnosis.

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Before vs. after

What changes with radiofrequency ablation

What patients experience before finding Hudson Medical, and after.

Comparison of patient experience without targeted treatment versus with radiofrequency ablation at Hudson Medical
Category Without targeted treatment
AT HUDSON MEDICAL NYC With radiofrequency ablation
Facet joint pain Chronic, recurring Relief lasting 9–18 months
Daily medication burden Ongoing, often with side effects Reduced or eliminated
Mobility Limited by pain Improved function and activity tolerance
Treatment frequency Daily oral dosing Repeated only as relief wears off
Served from
Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens · The Bronx
Facet joint pain
Chronic, recurring
Relief lasting 9–18 months
Daily medication burden
Ongoing, often with side effects
Reduced or eliminated
Mobility
Limited by pain
Improved function and activity tolerance
Treatment frequency
Daily oral dosing
Repeated only as relief wears off
Served from
Manhattan · Brooklyn · Queens · The Bronx

Radiofrequency ablation requires a positive medial branch block first to confirm the facet joint as your pain source. Relief is longer-lasting than injections but not permanent, since nerves can regenerate over time. Your physician will walk you through this two-step process at your first visit. All procedures at 281 Broadway, Tribeca.

What to expect

The RFA process at Hudson Medical

No RFA is performed until the pain source is confirmed by diagnostic blocks. Every step is image-guided.

Book your consultation

Same-day appointments at 281 Broadway. No referral required. We review your imaging at the first visit.

Diagnostic nerve blocks × 2

Two medial branch blocks confirm the facet joint source. Both must provide clear relief to qualify for RFA.

Radiofrequency ablation

Performed under live fluoroscopy. 30–60 minutes. Most patients go home the same day.

Follow-up and recovery

Full effect develops over 2–4 weeks. Relief typically lasts 9–18 months. The procedure can be repeated when the nerve regenerates.
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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Questions we hear most from patients searching for RFA treatment in New York City.

Not sure if you're a candidate?

Our specialists review your imaging and history before recommending anything.

Can RFA treat lower back pain without surgery?
Yes — for confirmed facet-mediated lower back pain, RFA is the most effective non-surgical treatment available. The vast majority of patients who complete the diagnostic block protocol experience significant, lasting relief.
How long does RFA pain relief last?
Relief from RFA typically lasts 9 to 18 months. Because nerves gradually regenerate, the procedure can be repeated when symptoms return — typically with similar outcomes.
Is RFA covered by insurance?
Hudson Medical accepts most major insurance plans. RFA is typically covered when two diagnostic nerve blocks have confirmed the pain source.
What type of doctor performs RFA in NYC?
RFA should be performed by a board-certified interventional pain specialist. Hudson Medical's physicians are fellowship-trained and perform all procedures under live fluoroscopy.
Do I need an MRI before my first appointment?
Bring any prior imaging you have. Diagnostic nerve blocks often confirm the pain source more accurately than imaging alone.
Where is Hudson Medical located in NYC?
Our clinic is at 281 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, serving patients from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Northern New Jersey.

Ready to stop managing pain and start resolving it?

Same-day appointments at 281 Broadway. No referral needed. We verify your insurance before your first visit.

Book appointment →