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Intracept® (Basivertebral Nerve Ablation)

Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine

Intracept® Procedure in Burbank, CA | Basivertebral Nerve Ablation

Intracept®, also called basivertebral nerve ablation, is a minimally invasive treatment for a specific type of chronic low back pain called vertebrogenic pain. This pain comes from damaged or inflamed vertebral endplates, which are the areas where the spinal discs meet the bones of the spine.

For many patients, vertebrogenic low back pain feels deep, stubborn, and hard to get away from. It may be worse with sitting, bending forward, lifting, or moving from one position to another. You may have tried physical therapy, medication, stretching, injections, activity changes, or rest and still feel like the center of your low back controls what you can do.

I am Dr. John Villanueva, double board-certified in PM&R and interventional pain management at Villanueva Institute of Pain and Spine (VIPS). When I evaluate chronic low back pain, I closely review your symptoms, physical exam, imaging, prior treatments, and how pain affects your daily life.

Intracept® is most useful when your pain pattern and MRI findings point to the vertebral endplates as a major pain source. When that is the case, treating the basivertebral nerve can give properly selected patients a more targeted option for chronic low back pain that has not improved enough with conservative care.

If you are looking for the Intracept® procedure in Burbank, CA, call VIPS at (818) 669-8895 or request an appointment online. We are located in Burbank and see patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area.

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What Is the Intracept® Procedure?

The Intracept® procedure is a minimally invasive treatment that targets the basivertebral nerve inside the vertebral body. This nerve can carry pain signals from damaged vertebral endplates in the low back.

During treatment, a small instrument is guided into the affected vertebral body using imaging guidance. Radiofrequency energy is then used to ablate the basivertebral nerve, so it can no longer send the same pain signals from the damaged endplate area.

This procedure is also known as:

  • Basivertebral nerve ablation
  • BVN ablation
  • Intraosseous nerve ablation
  • The Intracept® procedure

What Is Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?

Vertebrogenic low back pain comes from the vertebral endplates that sit between the spinal disc and vertebral bone. When they become irritated, inflamed, or damaged, they can generate pain signals through the basivertebral nerve.

Patients with vertebrogenic pain often describe pain deep in the low back, usually near the middle of the spine. It may feel heavy, aching, sharp, or difficult to relieve. Sitting, bending forward, lifting, driving, getting up from a chair, or doing activity in a bent position can make it worse.

This pattern is different from classic sciatica, which usually travels down the leg along an irritated nerve root. It is also different from many cases of facet joint pain, sacroiliac joint pain, muscle spasm, or hip-related pain.

Lower back pain can come from many places. The discs, joints, nerves, muscles, ligaments, hips, sacroiliac joints, and vertebral endplates can all be involved. My job is to sort through the pattern and identify which source fits your symptoms and imaging.

Why MRI Findings Matter for Intracept®

Your MRI is a major part of deciding whether Intracept® makes sense. In many patients with vertebrogenic pain, the MRI shows changes near the vertebral endplates called Modic changes.

Modic Type 1 changes often suggest inflammation or swelling near the endplate. Modic Type 2 changes often suggest fatty changes in that same region. These findings can support a diagnosis of vertebrogenic low back pain when they match the patient’s symptoms.

The MRI has to be interpreted in context. Modic changes alone do not automatically mean Intracept® is the right treatment. The pain pattern, physical exam, prior care, and daily limitations all matter.

Whenever possible, I prefer to review the actual MRI images, not only the written report. A report can be helpful, but the images often show details that affect whether this procedure is appropriate.

What Symptoms Can Intracept® Help?

Intracept® may be discussed when the main pain pattern fits vertebrogenic low back pain. This often means pain is mostly centered in the low back rather than traveling clearly down the leg. Some patients also have more than one pain source. A person can have vertebrogenic pain along with facet arthritis, disc changes, spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint pain, or nerve irritation. When the picture is mixed, I explain which part of the pain Intracept® is designed to address and what else may need attention.

Patients often describe:

  • Chronic low back pain lasting six months or longer
  • Deep, central low back pain
  • Pain that worsens with sitting
  • Pain with bending forward
  • Pain with lifting
  • Pain when getting up from a chair
  • Pain while driving or prolonged sitting
  • Pain that limits work, exercise, sleep, travel, or daily activity
  • Low back pain that has not improved enough with conservative care
  • MRI findings showing Modic Type 1 or Type 2 changes

Intracept® vs. Standard Spine RFA

Intracept® and standard spine radiofrequency ablation both use radiofrequency energy, but they are designed for different sources of pain.

Standard spine RFA usually treats the medial branch nerves around the facet joints. These small joints sit in the back of the spine and can cause aching, mechanical back pain when they become arthritic or irritated. Before standard RFA is considered, diagnostic medial branch blocks are often used to confirm that the facet joints are a meaningful part of the pain pattern.

Intracept® targets a different nerve in a different location. It treats the basivertebral nerve inside the vertebral body, where pain signals can come from damaged or inflamed vertebral endplates.

That difference changes the treatment plan. Facet joint pain may lead us toward medial branch blocks and standard RFA, while vertebrogenic pain may lead us toward Intracept®. The right procedure depends on where the pain is actually coming from.

Intracept® vs. Epidural Steroid Injections

Intracept® and epidural steroid injections both treat spine-related pain, but they are used for different pain sources.

An epidural steroid injection is usually considered when an irritated spinal nerve is causing pain, especially when symptoms travel into the leg or arm. The medication is placed near the affected nerve to help calm inflammation and make movement more manageable.

Intracept® is different because it treats pain coming from the vertebral endplates, not the spinal nerve roots. This type of pain is usually felt mainly in the low back and is supported by MRI findings such as Modic changes.

For example, sciatica from a herniated disc may respond better to an epidural steroid injection because the problem involves nerve irritation. Deep, central low back pain with Modic changes may point more toward Intracept®. Some patients have more than one pain source, so I look at the full pattern before recommending either treatment.

Good Candidates for Intracept®

You may be a good candidate for Intracept® if your symptoms and MRI findings match vertebrogenic low back pain.

Patients often come in with:

  • Chronic low back pain lasting at least six months
  • Pain that has not improved enough with conservative care
  • MRI findings showing Modic Type 1 or Type 2 changes
  • Pain that is mostly centered in the low back
  • Pain that worsens with sitting, bending forward, lifting, or activity
  • Limited ability to work, drive, exercise, sleep, travel, or handle daily routines
  • A desire to explore nonsurgical options before considering more invasive spine treatment


Candidacy depends on the full picture. I review your imaging, symptoms, physical exam, medical history, prior treatments, and any leg symptoms before recommending this procedure.

When Another Treatment May Fit Better

Intracept® is specific to vertebrogenic lower back pain. If the main pain source appears to be something else, another treatment may be more appropriate.

Another direction may be needed if your symptoms are mainly related to:


This is why the evaluation matters. The strongest results come when the procedure matches the pain source.

How I Evaluate You Before Recommending Intracept®

Before recommending Intracept®, I want to understand whether the vertebral endplates are likely driving your pain. I also want to understand what you have already tried. Many patients who ask about Intracept® have lived with low back pain for years and have been told different things by different providers. A careful review helps us move away from guesswork and toward a plan that matches your actual pain pattern.

  • Where your low back pain starts
  • Whether pain travels into the buttock, hip, groin, or leg
  • Whether sitting, bending, lifting, standing, walking, or lying down changes the pain
  • How long the pain has been present
  • Prior physical therapy, medication, injections, procedures, or surgery
  • MRI findings, especially Modic changes and the affected vertebral levels
  • Whether updated MRI, X-rays, CT, or EMG/NCS testing may be needed
  • Whether numbness, tingling, weakness, or leg pain suggests nerve involvement
  • How pain affects sleep, work, driving, exercise, family life, and independence
  • What you would consider meaningful improvement

What Happens During the Intracept® Procedure?

The Intracept® procedure is performed with imaging guidance. Before the procedure, I review the target vertebral level or levels based on your MRI and symptoms.

During the procedure, a small access path is created into the vertebral body. A specialized probe is guided to the basivertebral nerve. Radiofrequency energy is then delivered to ablate the nerve and reduce pain signaling from the vertebral endplate region.

The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting. Before treatment, my team will review how to prepare, what to expect that day, and what instructions to follow afterward.

Why Choose VIPS for the Intracept® Procedure?

Intracept® works best when the diagnosis is clear. At VIPS, I take time to evaluate whether your pain pattern, MRI findings, prior treatment history, and goals line up with vertebrogenic low back pain.

When you choose VIPS, you can expect:

I am double board-certified in PM&R and interventional pain management. My PM&R training helps me evaluate movement, function, rehabilitation, spine mechanics, and daily limitations. My interventional training allows me to perform targeted spine procedures when they fit the diagnosis. In addition to my double-board certification, my certification as a Life Care Planner reflects advanced training in assessing long-term medical and rehabilitation needs. This expertise allows me to provide a comprehensive perspective when evaluating future care needs and serving as a medical-legal consultant and expert medical witness.

Intracept® depends on the right imaging findings. I look closely at the vertebral endplates, Modic changes, affected levels, and other spine findings that may influence the plan.

Vertebrogenic pain can be missed when low back pain is treated only as a disc, muscle, joint, or nerve problem. I look at the full pattern before recommending treatment.

I want to know whether pain is limiting sitting, bending, driving, work, sleep, exercise, travel, or time with family. Those details help define what success should look like.

Care may include physical therapy, medication management, epidural steroid injections, medial branch blocks, facet joint procedures, radiofrequency ablation for other targets, sacroiliac joint treatment, the mild® Procedure, spinal cord stimulation, regenerative medicine, or surgical referral when appropriate.

I will explain why Intracept® does or does not fit your symptoms. If another treatment is a better match, we will talk through that directly.

Chronic low back pain can be exhausting, especially when imaging shows changes but no one has explained what they mean. I want you to leave with a clearer understanding of your pain and the options available.

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What Should You Expect After Intracept®?

Recovery varies from patient to patient. Some soreness around the treatment area can occur after the procedure. You will receive instructions about activity, medications, wound care, and follow-up.

Pain relief from Intracept® often develops gradually. Some patients notice improvement within weeks, while others need more time before the full benefit becomes clear.

After the procedure, I want you to track changes that matter in real life. Can you sit longer? Drive with less pain? Bend with more confidence? Sleep better? Work with fewer interruptions? Return to exercise or daily activity with less guarding?

Those details help us understand whether treatment is improving function, not just changing a pain score.

How Long Do Intracept® Results Last?

Intracept® results vary based on the diagnosis, target levels, other spine findings, activity level, health history, and whether additional pain sources are present.

Some patients experience meaningful improvement that lasts for years, while others have a more limited response, especially when pain is coming from several places at once.

If symptoms change over time, I reassess the pattern. A patient may have vertebrogenic pain and later develop facet pain, SI joint pain, stenosis symptoms, or nerve irritation. Spine care should stay connected to what your body is doing now.

Intracept® and Your Broader Spine Care Plan

Intracept® can be an important option for vertebrogenic low back pain, but it is still one part of a larger spine care plan. The procedure may reduce pain signals from the vertebral endplates, while rehabilitation, movement, strength, posture, sleep, medication choices, and activity habits support longer-term function.

Depending on your condition, your care may include physical therapy, home exercise, medication review, ergonomic changes, injections, nerve testing, regenerative medicine, radiofrequency ablation for another target, mild® for certain stenosis patterns, spinal cord stimulation for selected nerve pain, or coordination with another specialist.

At VIPS, I take time to review your symptoms, exam findings, MRI, prior treatment response, and daily limitations before recommending a direction. The goal is to help you spend less time planning around low back pain and more time moving through life with comfort and confidence.

Intracept® Procedure in Burbank, CA

VIPS is located in Burbank, CA, in the Magnolia Park neighborhood. The office is designed to feel welcoming and personal, with comfortable seating, warm finishes, and original artwork from patients who are working artists.

This is a place where your story has time to be heard. I live and work in Burbank, and I care about building a practice where patients feel known, respected, and well-informed.

We see patients from Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, Van Nuys, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Sun Valley, La Cañada, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Silver Lake, Echo Park, and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area.

Burbank Intracept® FAQs

To schedule an Intracept® consultation in Burbank, CA, call (818) 669-8895 or contact VIPS online today. A careful evaluation can help determine whether basivertebral nerve ablation fits your symptoms, imaging, and goals.

Modic changes are MRI findings near the vertebral endplates. Modic Type 1 and Type 2 changes can help support a diagnosis of vertebrogenic low back pain when they match the patient’s symptoms.

Standard spine RFA usually targets medial branch nerves around the facet joints. Intracept® targets the basivertebral nerve inside the vertebral body. Both use radiofrequency energy, but they treat different pain sources.

An epidural steroid injection treats inflammation around irritated spinal nerves. Intracept® treats pain signals coming from damaged vertebral endplates. Epidural injections are often used for nerve-related pain or sciatica, while Intracept® is used for vertebrogenic low back pain.

Intracept® is designed for vertebrogenic low back pain, not classic sciatica from an irritated or compressed spinal nerve. If leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness is prominent, I will evaluate whether another treatment is more appropriate.

Yes. The Intracept® procedure is performed with imaging guidance so the treatment can be directed to the appropriate vertebral level and basivertebral nerve target.

Relief often develops gradually. Some patients notice improvement within several weeks, while others need more time before the benefit becomes clear.

Results vary, but Intracept® is intended to provide durable relief for properly selected patients with vertebrogenic low back pain. Your outcome depends on your diagnosis, imaging, target levels, other pain sources, and overall spine health.

For some patients with vertebrogenic low back pain, Intracept® may provide a nonsurgical option. If imaging shows instability, severe nerve compression, fracture, infection, or another surgical concern, I will explain why another opinion may be needed.

If Intracept® does not provide meaningful improvement, I reassess the pain pattern. Low back pain can come from several sources, including facet joints, discs, nerves, sacroiliac joints, muscles, hips, and spinal stenosis. Your response helps guide what to consider next.

The cost of Intracept® in Burbank can vary depending on imaging, insurance benefits, authorization requirements, procedure setting, and the number of vertebral levels treated. During your consultation, my team can help you understand what information may be needed for scheduling, approval, and cost review.

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