Low back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide, often resulting from facet joint
dysfunction, muscular imbalance, and degenerative spinal changes. While conventional
management includes pharmacologic therapy, physical rehabilitation, and surgical intervention,
non-surgical approaches such as Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) have gained clinical attention. OMM is a non-invasive, hands-
on modality aimed at restoring musculoskeletal balance and mobility, whereas RFA is a
minimally invasive technique that disrupts nociceptive signaling from facet joints.
A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the OpenEvidence platform to identify relevant studies published within the past 15 years. Search terms included “low back pain,” “osteopathic manipulative medicine,” “radiofrequency ablation,” and “facet joint pain.” Articles were screened for relevance to pain reduction, functional outcomes, safety, and patient-reported quality of life.
OMM demonstrated effectiveness in reducing mechanical low back pain, improving functional mobility, and decreasing dependence on analgesics. Its outcomes varied depending on patient selection and provider expertise. RFA consistently showed benefit for facet-mediated pain, with durable relief compared to conservative management, though efficacy may decline over time. Procedural risks of RFA include neuritis and infection, while OMM carries minimal risk. Direct head-to-head comparisons between the two modalities remain limited.
OMM and RFA represent effective, non-surgical options for chronic low back pain management. OMM provides a holistic, low-risk approach that emphasizes function and mobility, while RFA offers targeted, long-term pain relief for appropriately selected patients. Further comparative studies are needed to optimize treatment selection and integration of these modalities into comprehensive pain management strategies.
A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and the OpenEvidence platform to identify relevant studies published within the past 15 years. Search terms included “low back pain,” “osteopathic manipulative medicine,” “radiofrequency ablation,” and “facet joint pain.” Articles were screened for relevance to pain reduction, functional outcomes, safety, and patient-reported quality of life.
OMM demonstrated effectiveness in reducing mechanical low back pain, improving functional mobility, and decreasing dependence on analgesics. Its outcomes varied depending on patient selection and provider expertise. RFA consistently showed benefit for facet-mediated pain, with durable relief compared to conservative management, though efficacy may decline over time. Procedural risks of RFA include neuritis and infection, while OMM carries minimal risk. Direct head-to-head comparisons between the two modalities remain limited.
OMM and RFA represent effective, non-surgical options for chronic low back pain management. OMM provides a holistic, low-risk approach that emphasizes function and mobility, while RFA offers targeted, long-term pain relief for appropriately selected patients. Further comparative studies are needed to optimize treatment selection and integration of these modalities into comprehensive pain management strategies.