Radiofrequency ablation (also called radiofrequency neurotomy) is a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure to help relieve pain originating in the facet joints of your neck and back or relieve pain originating from the sacroiliac joints Each bone in your spine is connected by two facet joints on each side. The facet joints allow your spine to bend and rotate. Sometimes these joints can deteriorate and become inflamed. This inflammation can irritate the facet nerves and surrounding tissues, causing pain. During a radiofrequency ablation procedure, the facet nerves (medial branches) are ablated (burned) using heat generated by radio waves. Nerve ablation breaks up the pain signals coming from these nerves, providing relief. At least one test procedure, called diagnostic work-up injection (medial branch block) , is required prior to performing the procedure to help determine if nerve ablation is appropriate for you.