What Can Treat My Vertebrogenic Pain?

Vertebrogenic pain comes from the bones (vertebrae) in your lumbar spine (lower back), especially the endplates — the structures that connect your spinal discs to your vertebrae. 

Pain Care, with eight locations throughout Georgia, delivers high-quality, comprehensive pain management solutions to patients in Metro Atlanta suffering from acute and chronic pain. 

Let’s walk through vertebrogenic pain, where it comes from, and what we offer to help.

Understanding vertebrogenic pain

Unlike pain caused by bulging discs, arthritis, or pinched nerves, vertebrogenic pain is rooted deep within the structure of your spine itself.

This differs from nerve pain caused by conditions like sciatica or stenosis that compress nerves exiting the spine. Instead, vertebrogenic pain occurs when nerves inside the vertebrae become compressed or irritated.

Unfortunately, vertebrogenic pain doesn’t always get better with typical treatments like rest, ice, or pain medications.

How do I know if I have vertebrogenic pain?

Only a doctor can say for sure what’s driving your pain. However, most people with vertebrogenic pain describe it as a deep, burning, or aching pain in the center of the lower back.  

The pain often worsens with prolonged sitting, physical activity, and bending or twisting at the waist.

To uncover the cause of your pain, our specialists start with a careful assessment of your symptoms, a review of your medical history, and a physical exam. You may also benefit from imaging studies like an MRI or other diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis.

If you’ve tried treatments that haven’t helped, vertebrogenic pain might be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Treating vertebrogenic pain

The good news? There are more treatment options than ever before, and they're getting better all the time.

Here are some of the leading treatments:

Physical therapy

Gentle, targeted exercises can strengthen the muscles that support your spine, improve posture, and take pressure off painful areas. We can design a plan specific to vertebrogenic pain.

Physical therapy is best for early to moderate cases, or as part of a recovery program after other treatments.

Medications

Anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medications can sometimes ease symptoms. However, they usually don’t fix the root cause — they just help manage it.

Medications are best for short-term relief or to help you stay active while pursuing longer-term solutions.

Injections

Steroid injections around the spine can reduce inflammation temporarily. While they don’t work for everyone (and effects can wear off), these injections can help pinpoint the pain source and provide short-term pain control.

Intracept® Procedure — a breakthrough option

Intracept is one of the most exciting newer treatments we offer at Pain Care, explicitly designed for vertebrogenic pain.

It’s a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that targets and turns off pain signals transmitted by the basivertebral nerve, which supplies sensation to the vertebral endplates. It’s like switching off a faulty alarm system.

Benefits of Intracept include:

• Minimally invasive
• No implants
• Quick recovery time (most people return to light activity in a few days)
• Durable pain relief

Intracept is best for patients with vertebrogenic pain confirmed by imaging and symptoms who haven't found relief through conservative care.

What about surgery?

Traditional spine surgeries (like fusion) are usually not the first choice for vertebrogenic pain unless there's another major issue like instability or severe deformity. With options like the Intracept Procedure, many people can avoid major surgery altogether.

You deserve relief

Living with vertebrogenic pain can feel frustrating and overwhelming, but you have options. Schedule a visit at Pain Care today by contacting one of our six locations in Georgia. We’re here to help.