Surreal illustration of radiofrequency denervation offering lower back pain relief.

Is Radiofrequency Denervation the Key to Long-Term Lower Back Pain Relief?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A look at a randomized study on radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation and its potential to reduce pain and serum beta-endorphin levels."

Chronic lower back pain (LBP) is a widespread problem, affecting approximately 80% of adults at some point in their lives. The facet joints in the spine are often implicated as a significant source of this pain, accounting for 15% to 40% of chronic LBP cases. Lumbar Facet Syndrome (LFS) can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, leading to decreased mobility and persistent discomfort.

Traditional treatments for LFS often involve pain management with medications like NSAIDs. However, a technique called radiofrequency (RF) lumbar facet denervation has emerged as a promising alternative. This procedure involves using radiofrequency energy to disrupt the nerves transmitting pain signals from the facet joints. While prior research indicates the potential of RF denervation, a direct comparison with NSAIDs has been lacking.

A randomized controlled study explored and directly compared RF denervation to NSAID treatment, focusing on changes in serum beta-endorphin levels, which are natural pain-relieving substances in the body. This study aimed to shed light on the effectiveness of RF denervation and its possible mechanisms for providing pain relief in individuals with LFS.

Radiofrequency Denervation vs. NSAIDs: Which Offers Better Pain Relief?

Surreal illustration of radiofrequency denervation offering lower back pain relief.

The study, published in the Journal of Spine in 2016, enrolled twenty-five participants diagnosed with LFS. Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment arm, receiving percutaneous RF denervation, or the control arm, receiving medical treatment with NSAIDs. The participants were evaluated at baseline, 7 days post-intervention, and 28 days post-intervention. The primary endpoint was the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score on day 28.

Researchers carefully assessed the participants, looking at various factors to determine which treatment approach yielded better results. The key measurements included:

Pain Intensity: Measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at days 0, 7, and 28.
Quality of Life: Assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire.
Serum Beta-Endorphin Levels: Measured at days 0, 7, and 28 to evaluate changes in natural pain relief.

The study revealed that patients treated with RF denervation experienced a significant reduction in pain compared to those treated with NSAIDs. The mean postoperative 7-day VAS pain scale was 6.5 in the control arm and 3.0 in the treatment arm. By day 28, the mean VAS pain scale was 6.0 in the control arm and 2.5 in the treatment arm. These findings suggest that RF denervation is more effective than NSAIDs in reducing pain associated with LFS.

The Future of Lower Back Pain Treatment

Radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation shows promise as a treatment for individuals with lumbar facet syndrome. While further research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and the role of beta-endorphins, this study offers hope for those seeking alternatives to traditional pain management approaches.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4172/2165-7939.1000340, Alternate LINK

Title: Serum Beta-Endorphin Changes In Lumbar Facet Syndrome Treated With Radiofrequency Lumbar Facet Denervation – A Randomized Controlled Study

Subject: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Journal: Journal of Spine

Publisher: OMICS Publishing Group

Authors: Tsou Hk, Kao Th, Tsai Pa

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is lumbar facet syndrome, and why is it a significant health concern?

Lumbar Facet Syndrome (LFS) refers to pain originating from the facet joints in the spine. It's considered a significant health concern because it accounts for a substantial portion (15% to 40%) of chronic lower back pain cases. LFS can severely diminish an individual's quality of life, leading to reduced mobility and persistent discomfort. Understanding LFS is crucial because chronic lower back pain affects a large percentage of adults, approximately 80% at some point in their lives.

How does radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation work to alleviate pain associated with lumbar facet syndrome?

Radiofrequency (RF) lumbar facet denervation aims to alleviate pain by using radiofrequency energy to disrupt the nerves that transmit pain signals from the facet joints in the spine. By interrupting these pain signals, the procedure seeks to reduce the sensation of pain experienced by individuals with Lumbar Facet Syndrome (LFS). This differs from traditional methods that often rely on managing pain through medications.

What were the key findings of the 2016 study in the Journal of Spine regarding the effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation compared to NSAIDs for treating lumbar facet syndrome?

The 2016 study published in the *Journal of Spine* directly compared radiofrequency (RF) denervation to NSAID treatment for Lumbar Facet Syndrome (LFS). The key finding was that patients treated with RF denervation experienced a significantly greater reduction in pain compared to those treated with NSAIDs. This was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Furthermore, the study also looked at serum beta-endorphin levels, natural pain-relieving substances, to understand the possible mechanisms of pain relief.

Beyond pain intensity, what other factors were considered in the study comparing radiofrequency denervation and NSAIDs, and why are these factors important?

Besides pain intensity (measured by the visual analogue scale or VAS), the study also assessed the participants' quality of life using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire and measured serum beta-endorphin levels. Quality of life is important because it provides a broader understanding of how the treatment impacts the patient's overall well-being, not just their pain levels. Serum beta-endorphin levels are significant because they offer insights into the body's natural pain relief mechanisms and how each treatment might influence them. Understanding these factors provides a more holistic view of the effectiveness of radiofrequency denervation and NSAIDs.

What are the implications of using radiofrequency lumbar facet denervation as a treatment option for lumbar facet syndrome, and what future research is needed?

The implication of using radiofrequency (RF) lumbar facet denervation is that it presents a potentially more effective alternative to traditional pain management approaches like NSAIDs for individuals suffering from Lumbar Facet Syndrome (LFS). This could lead to improved pain relief and potentially a better quality of life for patients. However, further research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of RF denervation, the precise role of beta-endorphins in the process, and to identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this treatment. Additional research could also explore the optimal techniques for performing RF denervation to maximize its effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.