Is the Intracept® Procedure Right for Your Chronic Low Back Pain?

Chronic low back pain can be relentless, affecting sleep, movement, and your ability to engage in everyday life fully. For many, the source of that pain isn’t muscular but instead arises from the vertebral endplates associated with degenerative disc disease. This condition, known as vertebrogenic low back pain, has historically been difficult to treat without surgery or long-term reliance on medications.

Fortunately, the Intracept® Procedure offers a minimally invasive, clinically validated solution. In fact, studies show that patients with vertebrogenic pain experience significant and durable relief following the procedure, with many reporting reduced disability and improved quality of life. 

In this article, we’ll explore who is a candidate, how the procedure works, and what to expect during recovery.

Understanding Vertebrogenic Back Pain

Vertebrogenic pain is a type of chronic low back pain resulting from damage to the vertebral endplates, which are the parts of the vertebral bodies adjacent to the spinal discs.. The basivertebral nerve transmits pain signals from inflamed or injured endplates. This pain, felt as a deep ache in the lower back, typically worsens with sitting, bending, or activity, and usually does not radiate down the legs.

What Is the Intracept® Procedure?

The Intracept® procedure is an outpatient treatment designed to target vertebrogenic pain at its source. Using fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a small probe is inserted into the affected vertebra through a tiny incision. The probe delivers radiofrequency energy to heat and disable the basivertebral nerve, which transmits pain signals from damaged vertebral endplates.

Because the procedure works within the vertebral body itself, no hardware is implanted, and no changes are made to the structure or alignment of the spine. Patients go home the same day and resume regular activity gradually.

Signs You May Be a Good Candidate for an Intracept® Back Procedure

Like any advanced procedure, Intracept® is most effective for a specific group of patients. While it offers substantial relief for those with vertebrogenic pain, it is not intended for every type of low back pain. 

You may be a strong candidate for the Intracept® back procedure if:

• You’ve experienced chronic low back pain for six months or longer
• Conservative treatments (e.g., physical therapy, medications, injections) have failed to provide lasting relief
• Your MRI shows Modic type 1 or 2 changes—signs of endplate inflammation
• Your pain is localized to the lower back, without significant leg pain or nerve root compression
• You do not have severe spinal instability, scoliosis, or other conditions requiring surgical intervention

Benefits of the Intracept® Procedure 

The Intracept® procedure offers distinct advantages for patients with vertebrogenic low back pain, especially when other treatments have failed. Unlike medications, injections, or spine surgery, Intracept directly targets the nerve responsible for transmitting pain—without altering the spine’s structure or requiring ongoing interventions.

Other key benefits of the Intracept® procedure include:

• Long-term pain relief proven in clinical trials, often lasting years
• Quick recovery, with most patients returning to activity within days
• Minimally invasive, outpatient approach requiring no hospital stay
• Reduced reliance on medications, including opioids or anti-inflammatories
• Preservation of spinal anatomy—no implants, fusion, or structural alteration

What to Expect During and After the Procedure

The Intracept® procedure is performed in a controlled setting, under local anesthesia, and typically takes under 90 minutes. Using fluoroscopic guidance, the physician makes a small incision to insert a specialized probe into the affected vertebra. Once the basivertebral nerve is located, radiofrequency energy is applied to disable it, interrupting the transmission of pain signals from the vertebral endplates.

Because the procedure is minimally invasive, patients return home the same day and resume light activities within a few days. It’s common to feel some soreness at the incision site initially, but this usually resolves quickly. Meaningful pain relief typically begins within a few weeks and continues to improve as the body adjusts to the reduced nerve signaling.

Intracept Procedure Side Effects

While the Intracept® procedure is considered safe, as with any medical intervention, some patients may experience mild side effects following treatment. Most side effects are temporary and resolve within a few days to weeks, and serious complications are rare.

Some common side effects may include:

• Temporary soreness or discomfort at the incision site
• Mild swelling or bruising in the lower back
• Transient increase in low back pain as tissues adjust post-procedure

Our fellowship-trained providers will walk you through what to expect and how to manage any post-procedure symptoms. As always, you should contact your care team if you have concerns during your recovery.

Find Out If Intracept Is Right for You

If you’re living with chronic low back pain and curious whether the Intracept® procedure could be the answer, we invite you to schedule a consultation with the Top-Doc awarded team at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians. 

With six convenient locations across Arizona and a reputation for clinical excellence, our physiatrists will work closely with you to develop a personalized, non-surgical treatment plan that supports your long-term health and functional goals. 

Let us help you move beyond pain—and toward a full and active life.