Intracept Procedure for Chronic Low Back Pain

At Chester County Spine Care, we specialize in diagnosing and treating chronic low back pain using advanced, minimally invasive procedures. The Intracept® procedure is an innovative treatment designed to relieve vertebrogenic back pain by targeting the basivertebral nerve inside the spine.

For patients who have struggled with persistent back pain for months or years, this treatment may offer long-lasting relief without traditional spine surgery.

Chronic low back pain can have several different causes. One important and often overlooked source is vertebrogenic pain, which originates from inflammation of the vertebral endplates in the spine.

These endplates contain a nerve called the basivertebral nerve, which can transmit persistent pain signals from the spine to the brain.

Patients with vertebrogenic pain often experience:

• Deep aching pain in the lower back
• Pain that worsens with sitting or bending
• Pain lasting longer than 6 months
• Limited improvement despite physical therapy, medications, or injections

When this nerve continues sending pain signals, chronic back pain can persist even after other treatments have been tried.

The Intracept procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to interrupt pain signals coming from the basivertebral nerve.

During the procedure:

• A small probe is inserted into the vertebral body
• The basivertebral nerve is precisely targeted
• Radiofrequency energy is used to stop the nerve from transmitting pain signals

By addressing the source of vertebrogenic pain, the procedure can provide long-term relief for many patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

Compared with many traditional spine treatments, the Intracept procedure offers several advantages:

• Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
• No implants or hardware
• Targets the specific source of vertebrogenic pain
• Supported by strong clinical research
• Long-lasting pain relief for many patients
• Often covered by Medicare and many insurance plans

You may be a candidate for the Intracept procedure if you:

• Have chronic low back pain lasting longer than 6 months
• Have not found relief with physical therapy or medications
• Have MRI findings consistent with vertebral endplate changes (Modic changes)
• Want to explore treatment options before considering major spine surgery

A consultation and careful review of imaging studies can determine whether this treatment may be appropriate.

At Chester County Spine Care, our approach focuses on identifying the true source of chronic spine pain and recommending treatments supported by clinical evidence.

Dr. Schaeffer has dedicated his career to spine care and minimally invasive treatments, helping patients find relief from conditions such as:

• Chronic low back pain
• Vertebrogenic pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Sciatica and radicular leg pain

Many patients seek care after struggling with persistent pain despite years of conservative treatments.

If you have been living with chronic low back pain for months or years, advanced treatments such as the Intracept procedure may help.

Schedule a consultation at Chester County Spine Care to review your imaging and determine whether this minimally invasive treatment may be right for you.