Intracept Specialist

Comprehensive Pain Management

Pain Management & Anesthesiology located in Attleboro, MA, Franklin, MA, South Kingstown, RI & Warwick, RI

If conservative therapy has failed to improve your chronic lower back pain, the Intracept® Procedure might offer a path toward less pain and greater function. At Comprehensive Pain Management’s four convenient locations in Attleboro or Franklin, Massachusetts, as well as South Kingstown or Warwick, Rhode Island, Do Chan, MD, MBA, and Boris Shwartzman, MD, offer Intracept and multiple other pain management treatments. When you’re ready to explore the possibilities, book a consultation. You can set up your visit by phone, but starting the process today helps you move one step closer to lasting pain relief.

Intracept Q & A

What is the Intracept Procedure?

The Intracept Procedure is an FDA-cleared intraosseous nerve ablation platform that can generate swift and lasting pain relief. It’s a great option for men and women who’ve tried other approaches to lessen chronic lower back pain with little success.

The procedure is minimally invasive, which is appealing to those who need pain relief but aren’t ready or able to pursue spine surgery. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis, requires no implanted devices, and maintains the structural integrity of your spine.

How does Intracept work?

Once you and your medical team determine that the Intracept Procedure is right for you, you’ll arrive for your procedure and change into a surgical gown. Once comfortable, a local anesthetic numbs the treatment area, and you may receive a low dose of a sedative to help you relax.

You’re awake and alert throughout the procedure, which lasts only 15-45 minutes. That allows you to interact with your specialist to give feedback when asked.

A special X-ray called a fluoroscope gives Dr. Chan or Dr. Shwartzman the ability to “see” the treatment needle as it moves along its path. A contrast dye helps confirm optimal needle positioning. You might feel some discomfort at this point in the procedure, but the sensation is more similar to pressure than pain.

You then receive additional numbing medication before radiofrequency current is directed through the needle to the targeted nerve tissue. The current generates heat, and that heat creates tiny injuries or lesions. It takes around 90 seconds to create one lesion, but multiple nerves can be targeted at the same time.

Those lesions block the path that directs sensory data between your spine and brain. That effectively ends the pain signals originating from the treatment area.

What should I expect after the Intracept Procedure?

You’ll probably be able to stand and walk immediately after your procedure, and can return home the same day as long as someone is there to drive you. You might feel a degree of pain ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks as your body heals.

Most people, however, are able to return to work within a few days. You should notice a decrease in pain within 10 days, although the full effects may not be apparent for three weeks. You’ll come in for a follow-up visit to check your progress.

Book a one-on-one consultation today to learn more about the Intracept Procedure and other treatment options for chronic lower back pain. Call or fill out our contact form to make your appointment.

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