Low back pain is an incredibly common condition, affecting up to 85% of Americans in their lifetime. For some, that pain is chronic — and debilitating.
Traditional treatments for chronic lower back pain range from physical therapy and medications to major surgical procedures, yet many patients continue to suffer and experience a diminished quality of life due to their pain. If you’ve tried other treatments without relief, you’re not out of options.
The Intracept Procedure is an innovative, minimally invasive solution designed to address chronic vertebrogenic low back pain at its source, for lasting pain relief that makes a difference in your daily life. Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team offer Intracept in Copiague, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York. Here, we’re breaking down the benefits of this groundbreaking treatment.
The Intracept Procedure specifically targets the basivertebral nerve, which is responsible for transmitting pain signals from vertebral endplates to your brain. Treatment destroys this specific nerve, effectively interrupting the pain signals and putting an end to the chronic pain associated with it.
It’s a straightforward, targeted treatment that addresses the source of your chronic back pain, rather than masking it with medication or other treatments.
Unlike traditional spine surgeries that can involve extensive incisions and prolonged recovery times, the Intracept Procedure is minimally invasive. We perform the procedure on an outpatient basis, meaning you can expect to go home the same day.
Intracept requires a single small incision, and it doesn’t involve the placement of any hardware or implants. It preserves your spine’s natural anatomy, which also means it doesn’t preclude you from pursuing other medical treatments or surgeries in the future if necessary.
Because it’s minimally invasive, Intracept generally comes with a lower risk of complications like infection and blood loss compared to open surgeries. It promotes a faster return to daily life, and most people resume normal activities within a few days, with minimal postoperative discomfort.
One of the most compelling benefits of the Intracept Procedure is its durability. According to one study, 65% of patients reported at least a 50% reduction in back pain, and 36% experienced at least a 75% reduction. Six months post procedure, 22% of patients achieved complete pain relief.
Another study found that patients report sustained improvements in pain and function for over five years following a single treatment. This long-term efficacy offers a lasting solution and helps reduce the need for ongoing treatments or an over-reliance on pain medication.
Last but not least, Intracept can deliver a dramatically improved quality of life. Chronic back pain can severely impact your daily activities, mental health, and overall well-being — and because Intracept can provide significant and sustained pain relief, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy life once more.
With less or no lower back pain, you can return to exercises and hobbies you once enjoyed. You may be able to decrease or eliminate your need for pain medications, many of which have undesirable side effects, and less pain can mean improvements in mood, too.
If you’re living with chronic vertebrogenic low back pain, it’s time to find out if Intracept is a good option for you. Its targeted, minimally invasive approach may provide significant, long-lasting pain relief, and we’re here to help you learn more. Call us at 631-265-2020 or request your first appointment online to get started.
