Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of spinal nerve radiofrequency(rF)and spinal cord stimulation(SCS)for the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Method A retrospective analysis was conducted on 106 patients with PHN treated at Meizhou People's Hospital from March 2022 to March 2024.Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method:Group A(64 patients)received spinal nerve RF treatment,and Group B(42 patients)received SCS treatment.Treatment outcomes were compared,including Numeric Rating Scale(NRS)scores,pain difference(PD)values,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)scores,Visual Analog Scale(VAS)scores at baseline,1,3,and 7 weeks,infrared thermography temperature differences,and the incidence of adverse reactions.Result There was no significant difference in the overall effective rate between Group A and Group B(P>0.05).However,the changes in NRS scores and PD values in Group B were greater than those in Group A(P<0.05).Group B had lower PSQI scores compared to Group A(P<0.05).The changes in infrared thermography temperature in Group A were greater than those in Group B(P<0.05).When comparing PSQI and VAS scores at different time points,significant differences were observed(P<0.05).Group A had higher PSQI scores and lower VAS scores compared to Group B(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Spinal cord stimulation is more effective in the short term for relieving postherpetic neuralgia and improving sleep quality compared to spinal nerve radiofrequency.SCS may be a more effective treatment option and warrants further validation in larger-scale studies.