CMI Treatments
Advanced Interventions Techniques
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A non-surgical treatment that uses heat to ‘turn off’ painful nerves for long-term relief.
Interventional pain management uses minimally invasive procedures to target specific pain sources directly. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is one of the most effective minimally invasive procedures available, using controlled heat to disrupt pain-transmitting nerves for long-lasting relief without surgery.
Yes. RFA is a proven non-surgical back pain relief option for patients with chronic facet joint pain or sacroiliac joint pain. It offers lasting relief without the risks and recovery time associated with spinal surgery, and is performed as an outpatient procedure at CMI.
Most patients experience pain relief lasting 6 to 18 months following radiofrequency ablation. Nerves can regenerate over time and symptoms may gradually return, but the procedure can typically be repeated with similar effectiveness.
Yes. A successful response to a diagnostic medial branch block is required before proceeding with radiofrequency ablation. The block confirms the targeted nerve is the source of your pain, ensuring RFA is the appropriate next step.
Most patients return to light activity within one to two days after RFA. Some temporary soreness near the treatment site is normal in the first week. Full pain relief typically develops over two to six weeks as the nerve is fully disrupted.
CMI on West Broadway in Vancouver offers RFA for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar facet joint pain as well as sacroiliac joint pain. To determine if you are a candidate, a physician referral with your diagnosis and a completed diagnostic nerve block are required. Contact CMI for next steps.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy (PRP): Uses your body’s natural healing factors to treat soft tissue and joint injuries.
Yes. PRP injection therapy is a non-surgical, regenerative treatment that uses your own blood platelets to stimulate tissue healing. At CMI, PRP is used for chronic tendon injuries, ligament damage, and joint osteoarthritis where conservative treatments have not provided adequate relief.
CMI uses PRP injection therapy for knee and hip osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, and other chronic soft tissue injuries that have not responded adequately to physiotherapy or other conservative treatments.
Most PRP protocols involve one to three injections spaced four to six weeks apart. The exact number depends on the condition being treated and your individual healing response. Your physician will outline the recommended plan based on your diagnosis.
PRP injections are not covered under BC MSP and are a private pay procedure. Some extended health insurance plans may offer partial reimbursement. Contact CMI directly for current pricing information.
A cortisone injection primarily reduces inflammation and provides relatively fast but shorter-term relief. A PRP injection uses your body’s own growth factors to stimulate tissue repair and may provide longer-lasting results, particularly for chronic tendon and joint conditions.
