Stellate Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment
If you are living with difficult-to-treat chronic pain — whether headaches, facial pain, or pain radiating down the arm — Stellate Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency (Pulsed RF) is a highly effective and safe treatment that targets the autonomic nervous system to provide long-lasting pain relief.
What Is Stellate Ganglion Pulsed RF?
- Stellate Ganglion Pulsed RF is an interventional procedure that delivers pulsed radiofrequency energy to the stellate ganglion — a cluster of sympathetic nerve tissue located in the lower neck that plays a central role in regulating pain signals and inflammation in the head, face, neck, and upper limbs.
- What makes Pulsed RF different from conventional radiofrequency ablation : Conventional RFA uses high heat to destroy nerve tissue, permanently disabling it. Pulsed RF takes a fundamentally different approach — it delivers carefully controlled, low-intensity electrical pulses that modulate nerve function (neuromodulation) rather than destroy it. The result is reduced pain sensitivity without any damage to the nerve itself or the surrounding tissue. This makes Pulsed RF a gentler, reversible, and highly targeted option for appropriately selected patients.
Who Is This Procedure Suitable For?
Stellate Ganglion Pulsed RF is appropriate for patients with the following conditions:
- Chronic facial, neck, or arm pain that has not responded adequately to medication
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — particularly abnormal burning or heat pain in the arm or hand
- Post-herpetic neuralgia (shingles nerve pain) affecting the face, neck, or arm — persistent nerve pain that remains after the shingles rash has resolved
- Chronic migraine or persistent headache in cases where autonomic nervous system hypersensitivity is a contributing factor
The Procedure
This is a precise, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is not required.
- Positioning — the patient lies on their back. Local anaesthetic is administered at the treatment site before the procedure begins. A mild sedative may be offered to help the patient feel relaxed and comfortable
- Image guidance — the physician uses real-time ultrasound guidance to navigate a fine needle precisely and safely to the stellate ganglion
- Treatment — pulsed radiofrequency energy is delivered to modulate the nerve's activity. A small amount of local anaesthetic and low-dose steroid is also injected simultaneously to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect and optimise the treatment outcome
Expected Outcomes
- Pain relief — most patients notice an initial reduction in pain shortly after the procedure from the local anaesthetic effect; the full benefit of the nerve modulation typically develops progressively over the following 1–2 weeks
- Duration of relief — treatment effects typically last 3–6 months; repeat procedures, performed according to the physician's recommendation, tend to produce increasingly durable results over time
- Temporary side effects — the following are normal physiological responses that resolve on their own within a few hours:
- Mild drooping of the eyelid on the treated side (ptosis)
- Reduced sweating on the face
- Slight hoarseness of voice
- Mild difficulty swallowing
- A sensation of warmth in the face
- Minor tenderness or bruising at the injection site
Post-Procedure Care and Recovery
- Rest: Avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 24 hours following the procedure.
- Daily activities: Most patients can return to their normal routine the following day.
- Injection site discomfort: If mild soreness develops at the treatment site, apply a cold pack for short periods. This typically resolves within 1–2 days.
Pain Management at Bangkok Interventional Clinic
At Bangkok Interventional Clinic, we focus on personalised, in-depth pain management tailored to each individual.
- All patients are evaluated and treated by a board-certified pain specialist, ensuring accuracy, safety, and effective care.
- Targeted interventional procedures for fast and effective symptom relief
- Patient education to support sustainable, long-term self-care
Our goal is to meaningfully improve the quality of life of every patient we treat. If you are living with pain that affects your daily life, the right diagnosis and the right treatment plan are where change begins.
