(NAPSI)—As a veteran and lifelong athlete, Willie Williams was used to pushing through pain. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point who served with the prestigious 101st Airborne Division Willie spent years jumping out of planes, competing in a variety of sports, and later tending to his land in Spring Branch, Texas. But when he began suffering from a specific type of chronic pain, called vertebrogenic back pain, even such simple tasks as bending over and brushing his teeth became too difficult.Â
“I worked through the pain, but I remember once having to stop in the middle of a basketball game because I couldn’t move. I felt frozen,” said Willie. “That’s how acute the pain was.”Â
What is Vertebrogenic Back Pain?
Vertebrogenic back pain is a form of chronic low back pain caused by damage within the spine itself, specifically the thin layers of tissue between the spinal bones and discs. Over time, normal wear and tear or disc degeneration can stress these layers, causing inflammation and pain.Â
Williams’s battle with back pain is not uncommon. Nearly 1 in 4 of U.S. adults live with chronic pain.1 Experts estimate about one in six of these cases may be vertebrogenic in nature.2 Yet despite how common it is, this type of pain is often misdiagnosed because chronic pain may come from several different sources.Â
Many people spend years trying to find relief through physical therapy, chiropractic care, injections, medications or even opioids—often with limited success. Without a clear diagnosis, it’s difficult to find a treatment that truly addresses the root cause. Fortunately, doctors can diagnose vertebrogenic back by using an MRI to look for specific changes with endplate inflammation called Modic changes.Â
For decades, Willie managed his pain with medication and various treatments, but with limited relief. That was until 2024 when his doctor told him about Boston Scientific’s Intracept™ Procedure, a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared option designed to treat chronic, vertebrogenic pain. It works by using targeted radiofrequency energy to stop the basivertebral nerve from carrying pain signals to the brain. To date, more than 60,000 people have now been treated with this procedure.Â
“Like Willie, many patients are not aware that there is a specific solution for this type of back pain,” said Dr. Tristan Lai of the Pain and Wellness Institute of Texas, who is an Air Force veteran and Willie’s physician. “The Intracept Procedure offers an effective solution, providing pain relief which can significantly improve the quality of life for my patients and get back to living life with minimal pain.”
“I didn’t like taking all the medications, so I was open to learning about all of the available options,” Willie said. “I just wanted to be able to bend over without pain.”
About a week after receiving the treatment, Willie was back to doing the things he loves—playing racquetball and tending to his yard—without pain. Everyday tasks became manageable again.Â
“My wife loves that I can help her plant flowers in the garden now and traveling has become so much easier,” Willie said. “Even when you think you are managing your pain, it can limit you. I don’t want to be limited in what I can do.”
Boston Scientific’s Intracept Procedure is now covered by a growing number of insurers including TRICARE, which serves veterans and their families, Medicare Advantage plans and other major private payers such as HealthPartners, expanding access to millions of eligible patients across the U.S.
Individual results may vary, and individuals with chronic pain should consult their doctor about the risks and benefits of any medical procedure. To learn more about vertebrogenic back pain and Boston Scientific’s Intracept Procedure, visit www.Pain.com.
Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of the Intracept Procedure and if it is an option for you. Â
1 Lucas JW, Sohi I. Chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain in U.S. adults, 2023. NCHS Data Brief, no 518. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/169630.
 2 Hoy D, March L, Brooks P, et al. The global burden of low back pain; estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2014;73:968-974;The global point prevalence of LBP was 9.4% (95% CI 9.0 to 9.8), (333M U.S. pop * 9.4% = 31M); Lorio et al. International Journal of Spine Surgery December 2022, 16 (6) 1084-1094
 
