CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — For people struggling with a pain disorder, even the most mundane daily activities can pose a challenge. Southwest Spine and Pain Center is committed to helping patients enjoy a higher quality of life through innovative therapies like Intracept, a cutting-edge treatment for chronic low back pain. 

Intracept is clinically proven to provide lasting pain relief and improved mobility. Patients whose low back pain hasn’t responded to conservative care or interventional pain relief methods are prime candidates for the procedure. 

“We’ve seen great results,” said Dr. Rick Obray, a pain management specialist at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. “A lot of times, these patients have tried multiple treatments and nothing helped.”  

Intracept is indicated for patients over age 18 whose low back pain is chronic (persisting for at least six months) and vertebrogenic, meaning it originates from the bones in the spine. These individuals typically experience pain while standing or sitting for long durations and limited mobility that interferes with everyday activities.  

This type of pain was previously thought to originate within the spinal discs, Obray said, but more recent studies have shown it actually stems from vertebral end plates and is transmitted via the basivertebral nerve. The causes are uncertain beyond normal wear and tear on the spine. In some cases, it may be genetic.

Prior to Intracept, the recommended solution for patients suffering from vertebrogenic low back pain that didn’t respond to other treatment methods was spinal fusion surgery. While not always successful, it was the only option available. 

Intracept marks a paradigm shift in how specialists treat chronic low back pain, Obray said. Only a handful of medical professionals nationwide are certified to perform the procedure. 

“At Southwest Spine and Pain, we’re pioneers with minimally invasive therapies,” he added. “We’re very active in research of new treatments, and we have very skilled physicians who are among the most experienced anywhere in what they’re doing.”

Intracept is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed at a surgery center or hospital. Using X-ray guidance, the physician will insert a specialized probe into the vertebrae and use the heat from radiofrequency energy to ablate the basivertebral nerve, rendering it unable to transmit pain signals. The procedure lasts approximately 60-90 minutes and is implant-free. Patients return home the same day.

The Intracept procedure is supported by multiple clinical studies, and five-year data shows lasting results. Key findings include significant improvements in function and pain level over standard care, as well as a notable decrease in the number of patients using opioids or injections to manage their pain long-term.

In clinical trials, patients maintained a 65% reduction in pain and a 61% reduction in disability at the five-year mark, while nearly 80% of patients indicated they would undergo the procedure again for the same condition. Intracept is covered by Medicare and most private insurances.

Southwest Spine and Pain Center operates 15 health centers throughout Utah. They provide acute and chronic pain management services including injections, epidurals, radiofrequency ablations, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation and regenerative medicine, along with physical therapy and rehabilitation. All physicians have completed fellowship training and board certification in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. 

“We’re committed to taking care of patients and improving their lives by controlling their pain,” Obray said. “That’s the best part about what I do every day.”  

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

• S P O N S O R E D  C O N T E N T • 

Resources

• Southwest Spine and Pain Center | Address: 2891 E. Mall Drive, Suite 101, St. George | Telephone 435-656-2424 | Website.
• Other locations:
  • St. George – Red Hills: 301 N. 200 East, Suite 2A | Telephone: 435-688-7246.
  • Hurricane: 25 N. 2000 West, Suite 8 | Telephone: 435-635-0174.
  • Cedar City: 1303 N. Main St. | Telephone: 435-586-2229.

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