Image-Guided Procedures
Precision-Centered Pain Relief.
At Silver Pain Centre, we use Image-Guided Procedures to ensure that every injection is placed exactly where it’s needed—maximizing results while minimizing risk. Whether you’re dealing with joint, muscle, or spinal pain, advanced imaging helps us treat the root of your discomfort with accuracy and confidence.
What Are Image-Guided Procedures?
Image-guided procedures involve using real-time imaging—fluoroscopy (X-ray) or ultrasound—to guide the placement of needles during diagnostic or therapeutic injections. These methods help us deliver medication precisely to the targeted area for optimal effectiveness.
What Conditions Does RFA Treat?
Facet Joint Pain (neck or lower back)
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction
Chronic Low Back Pain
Certain types of Neuropathic Pain
Other joint-related or nerve-based chronic pain syndromes
How the Procedure Works
At Silver Pain Centre, Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is performed in-office by pain management specialists using advanced image-guided technology. The goal is to precisely target and deactivate small sensory nerves responsible for transmitting chronic pain—providing longer-lasting relief and improving function.
Step-by-Step Process:
Initial Consultation
We begin with a thorough evaluation of your medical history, pain pattern, and any imaging results. RFA is typically offered after confirming your pain source through diagnostic nerve blocks.
Needle Placement
Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) or ultrasound guidance, specialized needles are placed near the targeted sensory nerves with pinpoint accuracy.
Nerve Stimulation
A mild electrical signal is applied to confirm correct needle placement. You may feel a tingling or aching sensation, which helps identify the right nerve before treatment.
Radiofrequency Application
Once confirmed, radiofrequency energy is used to heat and deactivate the pain-transmitting nerve. Local anesthetic is given before the ablation for comfort.
Recovery and Repeatability
The procedure takes 30–60 minutes. You may feel sore afterward, but most patients return home the same day. If the treatment is successful, RFA can be safely repeated when needed.
Why Choose Radiofrequency Ablation at Silver Pain Centre?
Targets the Root Cause
Effectively disrupts abnormal pain signals from specific spinal or joint-related nerves—directly addressing the true source of chronic discomfort.
Minimally Invasive
A safe, outpatient procedure with no surgical incisions, low risk of complications, and minimal downtime.
Image-Guided Precision
Advanced fluoroscopy or ultrasound is used to guide the needle placement, ensuring safe, accurate treatment with minimal risk.
Specialist-Led Care
Performed by experienced pain specialists trained in advanced interventional procedures and diagnostics.
Evidence-Based & Effective
RFA is supported by decades of clinical research and offers pain relief that can last 9–24 months for many patients.
Convenient & OHIP-Covered
RFA is covered by OHIP when deemed medically necessary following a successful diagnostic block.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does Relief Last?
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Relief from NMES therapy can vary depending on the individual’s condition and response to treatment.
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Many patients experience noticeable improvement within a few sessions, especially when combined with physiotherapy.
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Results often continue to build with consistent use, and long-term benefits may include improved strength, stability, and pain reduction.
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A full course may involve 10–12 sessions, with maintenance sessions as needed.
Is This Treatment Right for You?
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NMES therapy is ideal for individuals with muscle atrophy, spinal pain, or limited mobility due to injury, surgery, or neurological conditions.
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If you’ve struggled to activate deep core or stabilizer muscles, or face barriers like kinesiophobia (fear of movement), NMES may help accelerate your recovery.
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A consultation with our team will help determine if NMES is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
Why Choose Silver Pain Centre?
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We offer expert-guided NMES therapy in a supportive clinical setting with protocols tailored to your needs.
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Most NMES sessions are quick, outpatient-based, highly effective, and OHIP-covered when medically indicated.
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Our integrated care model ensures that NMES is part of a broader rehabilitation strategy, supported by physiotherapy and specialist follow-up.
What to Expect at Silver Pain Centre?
At Silver Pain Centre, we make the NMES therapy process comfortable, personalized, and focused on helping you regain strength, reduce pain, and rebuild muscle function.
Complete Your Self-Referral: Begin by submitting your information through our secure online form. Our team will review it within 72 hours and contact you to schedule a consultation. No referral is required, and visits are often OHIP-covered when medically indicated.
Consult With a Specialist: During your virtual or in-person consultation, we’ll assess your symptoms, mobility concerns, and treatment history to determine if NMES therapy is the right fit for your rehabilitation plan.
Begin Treatment: If appropriate, you’ll begin a series of NMES sessions—typically 10–12—where targeted electrical impulses help activate weakened or atrophied muscles. Treatment is customized to your needs and may be paired with physiotherapy for optimal outcomes.
Resume Your Routine: Each session is quick, outpatient-based, and non-invasive. Most patients return to normal activities right after, with minimal to no discomfort. Over time, NMES helps retrain your body to activate the right muscles, rebuild stability, and reduce pain.
Is this treatment right for you or your patient?
Our Medical Director is here to help. If you have a question about whether this treatment is appropriate for yourself or someone in your care, submit it below and our team will review your inquiry.
Your Partner in Pain Management
At Silver Pain Centre, we understand the challenges of chronic pain. We offer comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions, including joint and back pain, chronic headaches, nerve pain, muscle injuries, post-surgical pain, sports injuries, and more.
Located in North Toronto, our modern 20,000 sq. ft. facility offers shorter wait times and free parking, making access to care easier. With a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, we create tailored treatment plans to deliver long-lasting relief when traditional methods have not succeeded.
Explore Silver Pain Centre Difference
Take the First Step Toward Strength & Recovery—Start Your Self-Referral Today!
If chronic back, neck, or joint pain is impacting your mobility or muscle strength, NMES therapy may help restore function and reduce discomfort. Our specialists at Silver Pain Centre will review your self-referral within 72 hours and guide you through an OHIP-covered consultation—available virtually or in person.