Somnia Interventional Pain Services

14/10/2026

❄️ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 — 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞?
Living with chronic pain can affect almost every part of your life — from moving and working to sleeping, exercising and simply enjoying everyday moments.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we offer targeted interventional pain treatments, including Cryoablation, for carefully selected patients.

❄️ 𝐒𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐎?
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses controlled extreme cold to target specific nerves that are contributing to pain.
A specialised cryoprobe is carefully guided to the targeted nerve, using imaging guidance. Controlled cooling is then applied to the nerve, reducing its ability to transmit pain signals.

The goal is to target the nerve responsible for the pain while minimising disruption to the surrounding tissues.

🎯 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞?
When a specific nerve has been identified as contributing to chronic pain, Cryoablation may be considered to help:
✨ Reduce pain
✨ Improve movement and function
✨ Help patients return to everyday activities
✨ Potentially reduce the need for pain medication
✨ Provide longer-lasting pain relief for appropriately selected patients

📍 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝?
Cryoablation can be used to target different nerves depending on the source of the pain.
🧠 Head & Neck
• Certain chronic headaches and migraines
• Greater occipital nerve pain
• Selected nerve-related neck pain
🦵 Knee
• Chronic knee pain
• Osteoarthritis-related pain
• Genicular nerve pain
🦴 Hip & Groin
• Selected chronic hip pain
• Certain chronic groin pain conditions
• Selected peripheral nerve pain

Other peripheral nerves may also be considered depending on the individual's diagnosis and assessment.

💙 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮?
Not all pain is suitable for Cryoablation. The first step is identifying where your pain is coming from and which structures or nerves may be contributing to it.

At Somnia, your doctor will assess your symptoms, medical history and clinical findings and, where appropriate, use imaging or diagnostic procedures to determine whether Cryoablation may be a suitable treatment option for you.

✨ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧.
Take the first step towards finding relief and let us help you explore your treatment options.

📍 578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.somnia.co.za

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

Somnia Interventional Pain Services, led by Dr Nico Basson, offers a range of specialised pain management techniques in Pretoria. Our goal is to provide targeted relief for chronic pain conditions using minimally invasive procedures.

29/09/2026

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒? 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄. 🧠💙

Chronic headaches can affect every part of your life, from your ability to work and concentrate to spending quality time with your loved ones.

Dr Nico Basson at Somnia Interventional Pain Services offers specialised pain management treatments to help patients manage chronic headaches and improve their quality of life. These can include targeted ultrasound-guided infiltrations as well as Pulsed Radiofrequency or Cryoablation procedures. All minimally invasive.

Depending on the cause of your headaches, treatment options may include specialised pain interventions to help relieve pain and reduce its impact on your daily life.

✨ 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

📍 578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.somnia.co.za

𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞.

15/09/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Imagine being just 41 years old, yet living with severe lower back pain that affects your movement, your daily activities and your quality of life — despite trying conventional treatments.

Recently, we treated a patient experiencing severe discogenic lower back pain caused by a pr*****ed and ruptured L5–S1 disc.
After a thorough assessment and review of his imaging, discography under fluoroscopic guidance was performed using contrast medium to help identify and confirm the source of his pain.

A personalised, minimally invasive treatment approach was then used, combining:
🔹𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐑𝐏 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝟓–𝐒𝟏
Platelet-rich plasma was injected directly into the affected disc, with the aim of supporting the body's natural healing response.
🔹𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
To help reduce inflammation and irritation affecting the surrounding nerves.
🔹 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐬
Providing both diagnostic and therapeutic benefit, as assessment and imaging also indicated facet arthrosis extending from L3 through to the sacral spine.

All procedures were performed under precise fluoroscopic guidance, were well tolerated and completed without complications.

⭐ The early results have been very encouraging.
Within days of the intervention, the patient experienced a significant reduction in pain and improved functional movement.

For people living with chronic back pain, especially those who have already tried and exhausted more traditional treatment options, interventional pain procedures may provide another avenue towards improved function and quality of life.

The use of PRP in intradiscal therapy continues to show promise as a biologically restorative approach to discogenic pain. However, every patient is different, and the correct treatment starts with an accurate diagnosis and a carefully considered treatment plan.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, our focus is on precision, personalised care and minimally invasive treatment options to help patients take back control of their lives.

💙 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥.
Individual results vary. Treatment suitability is determined following a thorough clinical assessment.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Somnia Interventional Pain Services
📌 578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
☎️ 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]

27/08/2026

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐇𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧

Living with chronic hip pain can significantly affect your mobility, independence and quality of life.

𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐀𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐑𝐅/𝐏𝐑𝐅) is a minimally invasive interventional pain procedure that can provide longer-lasting pain relief for selected patients with chronic hip pain.

The procedure uses radiofrequency or pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) to target the sensory nerves supplying the anterior hip joint.

Specifically, sensory branches of the obturator and femoral nerves are targeted to reduce the transmission of pain signals from the hip.

Before treatment, motor and sensory stimulation is performed to help optimise nerve targeting and enhance procedural safety.

For appropriately selected patients, hip RF/PRF may offer prolonged pain relief and improved function, potentially reducing the impact of chronic hip pain on everyday life.

If chronic hip pain is affecting your quality of life, speak to your pain specialist to find out whether this minimally invasive treatment may be suitable for you.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Somnia Interventional Pain Services
📌578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
☎️060 633 8419
📧[email protected]

12/08/2026

A Targeted Approach to Longstanding Cervicogenic Headache

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we recently treated a patient with a more than 6-year history of severe, debilitating cervicogenic headaches.

Despite extensive treatment from multiple sources, including medication and physiotherapy, lasting relief remained difficult to achieve. Multiple Greater Occipital Nerve (GON) blocks provided only incomplete relief.

An important diagnostic step was an ultrasound-guided C2/C3 facet and Third Occipital Nerve (TON) block, performed in our rooms. The patient experienced significant pain relief, which was reproduced on two further occasions over a two-month period.

Based on this consistent response, the patient elected to proceed with Pulsed Radiofrequency (PRF) treatment of the Third Occipital Nerve and C2/C3 medial branches.

The procedure was performed with the patient awake, receiving only alfentanil for pain relief. Sensory stimulation was used to carefully confirm the target location, with the patient experiencing the expected spread of stimulation over the occipital region and the area corresponding to her usual pain.

Once the target was confirmed, pulsed radiofrequency was performed for 2 minutes × 2 cycles.

🎯 Why PRF?
Pulsed radiofrequency is an interventional pain technique designed to modulate pain signalling from targeted nerves without the same tissue-destructive effect associated with conventional continuous radiofrequency.

For carefully selected patients with persistent cervicogenic headache, targeted diagnostic blocks can help identify whether the C2/C3 facet joints and Third Occipital Nerve are contributing to their pain and whether an interventional treatment may be appropriate.

At Somnia, our approach is centred on identifying the source of pain and developing a targeted treatment plan for each individual patient.

If you or someone you know has been struggling with longstanding cervicogenic headaches or chronic neck-related pain, speak to our team to find out whether an interventional pain assessment may be appropriate.

📍 Somnia Interventional Pain Services
578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]

09/08/2026

🌸 Happy Women’s Day from Somnia 🌸

Today, we celebrate the incredible women who inspire us with their strength, courage, compassion and resilience. 💜

To every woman who gives so much of herself — as a mother, daughter, sister, wife, friend, colleague, caregiver, leader or simply by being YOU — we see you, we appreciate you and we celebrate you.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we believe that caring for people means seeing the person behind the pain. Today, we honour the women who continue to show strength even on the difficult days. 🌷

Your kindness matters. Your strength inspires. Your story matters. You are valued. You are enough. 💜

From all of us at Somnia, we wish every woman a beautiful and meaningful Women’s Day.

🌸 Happy Women’s Day! 🌸

05/08/2026

WHO IS SOMNIA INTERVENTIONAL PAIN SERVICES?

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we believe that living with chronic pain should never define your life.

Led by Dr. Basson, our practice is dedicated to diagnosing, treating, and managing chronic pain through advanced, evidence-based interventional procedures. We focus on identifying the source of your pain and providing personalised treatment plans that help restore function, improve mobility, and enhance your quality of life.

We treat a wide range of chronic pain conditions, including:
✔️ Neck and back pain
✔️ Sciatica and nerve pain
✔️ Joint pain (knee, shoulder, hip and more)
✔️ Chronic headaches and migraines
✔️ Post-surgical pain
✔️ Cancer-related pain
✔️ Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
✔️ Phantom limb pain and chronic stump pain
✔️ Many other chronic pain conditions

Using the latest minimally invasive techniques and advanced pain management procedures, our goal is simple: to help you move better, feel better, and get back to living the life you deserve.

At Somnia, every patient is treated with compassion, respect, and a commitment to delivering the highest standard of care. We take the time to understand your pain, explain your treatment options, and work alongside you on your journey towards improved health and wellbeing.

You don't have to live with pain. There are options, and we're here to help.

If you or someone you know is living with chronic pain—including phantom limb pain or chronic stump pain—there may be effective treatment options available.

📍 578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]

Book your consultation with Dr. Basson today and take the first step towards a life with less pain and more possibilities.

13/07/2026

CryoAblation for Phantom Limb & Stump Pain

Living with chronic stump pain and phantom limb pain can be life-changing, especially when conventional treatments have failed.

Dr Basson treated a 74-year-old female who underwent an amputation 37 years ago due to severe neurofibromatosis. Over the past six years, she developed debilitating stump pain and neuralgia, preventing her from wearing her prosthesis. For the last two years, she experienced constant burning pain, severe muscle spasms, and relentless discomfort despite multiple medications, including pregabalin, duloxetine, amitriptyline (Trepiline), and opioid patches prescribed by various healthcare providers.

Ultrasound assessment revealed multiple neurofibromas around the distal sciatic nerve and semitendinosus muscle. Although further surgery with additional shortening of the stump was recommended, the patient wished to avoid another operation.

A diagnostic ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve block provided 100% pain relief, confirming the source of her pain. She was subsequently scheduled for an ultrasound-guided CryoNeurolysis (CryoAblation) of the sciatic nerve, performed comfortably in our procedure rooms.

✨ The result?
The patient experienced immediate pain relief and remains pain-free three days after the procedure. We anticipate long-lasting pain relief, which can often extend up to two years, and the procedure can safely be repeated if required.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we are committed to offering innovative, evidence-based treatments that restore comfort, function, and quality of life for patients living with chronic pain.

If you or someone you know is struggling with phantom limb pain or chronic stump pain, there may be effective treatment options available.

📍 578 Verster Street, Elarduspark, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]

10/07/2026

Chronic Groin Pain - There May Be Hope.

Persistent groin pain after inguinal hernia repair can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. One possible cause is genitofemoral neuralgia – a painful nerve condition that may develop following surgery.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, we recently performed an ultrasound-guided cryoablation (cryoneurolysis) procedure to treat a patient suffering from chronic neuropathic groin pain after hernia repair with mesh.

What is Cryoablation?
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses extreme cold to interrupt pain signals by targeting the affected nerve. By preserving the nerve's outer structure while treating the damaged pain fibres, it offers:
✔ Targeted pain relief
✔ Reduced risk of neuroma formation
✔ A minimally invasive alternative to more aggressive surgical procedures
✔ The potential for long-lasting improvement in carefully selected patients

Using real-time ultrasound guidance, the treatment allows for precise placement of the cryoprobe while avoiding surrounding blood vessels and other important structures.

For patients who continue to experience chronic groin pain despite medication, nerve blocks, and rehabilitation, cryoablation may provide an effective treatment option before considering more invasive surgery.

At Somnia Interventional Pain Services, our dedicated team is committed to providing innovative, patient-centred care, with every treatment tailored to each patient's unique needs and goals. We strive to help our patients regain function, improve their quality of life, and return to the activities they enjoy most.

📍 578 Verster Street, Elardus Park, Pretoria
📞 060 633 8419
📧 [email protected]

01/07/2026

We are incredibly grateful to have shared this special milestone with Marius Prinsloo Orthotics and Prosthetics and Healthpark - Family Healthcentre during the launch of our new practice premises.

Having the opportunity to celebrate this exciting journey together was truly an honour. It reflects the strength of collaboration and our shared commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centred healthcare to our community.

We are excited to be part of this growing healthcare hub and look forward to seeing Marius Prinsloo Orthotics and Healthpark - Family Healthcentre continue to grow and thrive. We have no doubt that your dedication, expertise, and compassion will positively impact countless lives.

Here's to building lasting relationships, supporting one another, and growing together for many years to come.

Congratulations once again, and thank you for being part of this incredible journey with us!

— Dr. Nico Basson & the Somnia Interventional Pain Services Team