Patient Information

Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) is a medical treatment used to reduce certain types of chronic pain. There are two ways of applying PRF: invasively or transcutaneously.

Chronic pain can deeply affect your daily life — your sleep, movement and overall wellbeing. At Springlife, we believe that pain should be treated effectively, with as little as possible discomfort or pain and without unnecessary damage to the body.

What is Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF)?

PRF is an advanced medical technology that uses gentle pulses of electromagnetic energy to reduce inflammation and restore normal nerve and tissue function. It works by reducing inflammation and by influencing how nerves process and transmit pain signals — without destroying or damaging them.

During PRF treatment, short bursts of energy create brief electrical fields around the nerves or tissues. These fields help the cells recover their natural balance by reducing oxidative stress, improving circulation and calming overactive nerve activity. As a result, pain and inflammation decrease while the body’s own healing processes are supported.

Unlike traditional procedures that rely on heat or medication, PRF operates at normal body temperature. This means it is safe, gentle and repeatable, without the side effects associated with nerve destruction or drugs.

PRF can be applied in two ways:

• Transcutaneous PRF (TcPRF) – through the skin, using soft surface electrodes. This is completely non-invasive and painless.

• Invasive PRF – with a fine needle placed near a specific nerve under imaging guidance, for deep or localized pain.
  
  

Safe, Scientific and Effective 

Both forms of PRF — transcutaneous and invasive — share a common goal: to reduce pain by restoring balance in the body’s electrical and biochemical systems.

Unlike older methods (Radiofrequency Ablation) that destroy nerves with heat, PRF sends short electrical pulses to the nerve while keeping the temperature low. This means the nerve is influenced but not permanently damaged.

Doctors believe PRF works by changing how pain signals travel through the nerves and by inducing a cascade of events resulting in the decrease of inflammation. In this way, PRF can “calm down” the nerve without the risks of burning or cutting.

PRF has been used safely for many years to treat back pain, joint pain, nerve pain and pain after injuries. Many patients notice pain relief with less discomfort after the procedure compared to traditional treatments. Recovery is usually quicker as well.

The treatment is done with a thin needle, guided by fluoroscopy or ultrasound, so the doctor can reach the right spot near the nerve. The energy is given in very short bursts, with breaks in between to avoid overheating.

Recent research also shows that PRF can also be given through transcutaneously (through the skin, without needles, but by using skin electrodes), which can help people with joint pain, mainly pain caused by inflammation. This makes it possible to treat more patients in a pain free, non-invasive way. 

For patients, PRF offers hope for pain relief without the need for strong medicines or surgery. It is not a cure for every condition, but for many people it becomes an important part of their pain management plan.

Most patients describe the sensation as a mild, comfortable tingling.
Each session generally lasts  15 minutes and the treatment is repeated for about 3 times with an interval of 2 - 3 weeks.

TcPRF is especially helpful for pain caused by inflammation. For instance joint pain, ostheoarthritis, frozen shoulder, postoperative pain or chronic inflammation.

“Before the treatment, I couldn’t put on my jacket or lift my arm properly because of a frozen shoulder.
I had even been declared unfit for work.
After only two treatments, I could wear my jacket again and almost lift my arm fully. And I was able to return to work.
I’m truly enthusiastic about the results.”
(Gerrit, 1967)