Cervical Radio Frequency Ablation?

[KimSb]

Anyone have this done for Cervical Facet Based "Tension headaches?" If so, is it safe & effective long term? All other modalities incl a plethora of meds have failed.

[Katydid11]

Dinkelberry,

I've had this procedure done 5 times for relief for headache pain due to damage to my C2/3 joint.  

How well radiofrequency ablation works varies from person to person.  I've heard of people having it done a couple of times and never having to have it repeated because the relief becomes permanent.  For some people, it doesn't work at all.

For me, it typically lasts 4-6 months, at which point I have to have it repeated.  This last time I had an unfortunate outcome.  It didn't relieve my pain, and it left the back of my head a mix of numb and pins and needles feeling, which is slowly returning to normal over several months.

I've never heard of this treatment for "tension headaches."  But I'm not an expert on the subject.  I just wanted to share my experience with the treatment.  Hope this helps.

[dinkelberry]

yes, cervicogenic headache responds well to facet and /or third occipital berve ablation!