Innovative Chronic Pain Procedure Performed at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center 

January 15, 2026

Providers at the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, in Martinsburg, performed a cutting-edge new procedure this week designed to treat chronic lower back pain.  

The Intracept® Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed for individuals suffering from vertebrogenic lower back pain, which originates where the bone and discs of the spine connect. Over time, these areas can become inflamed due to wear and tear, resulting in chronic discomfort.

"We are excited to announce the launch of the Intracept® Procedure as a new service in our community, representing a significant advancement in the treatment of vertebrogenic low back pain,” said Mark A. Wells, Administrator for the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in the Eastern Panhandle. 

Dr. Moizz Syed performed the inaugural procedure on Jan. 14, 2026, at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, in Martinsburg.  

“Intracept represents a meaningful advancement in the treatment of chronic vertebrogenic low back pain,” Dr. Syed said. “By targeting the basivertebral nerve, the source of pain rather than just the symptoms, we can offer patients durable relief, improved function, and a pathway back to quality of life without relying on long-term medications or more invasive surgery with long recovery times.”  

A group of providers in scrubs pose for a photo celebrating the Intracept procedure.

The outpatient procedure focuses on the nerve that transmits pain signals from the inflamed vertebrae to the brain. The Intracept® Procedure cauterizes this nerve, interrupting pain at its source.  

Individuals who might benefit from the Intracept® Procedure typically experience: 

  • Chronic pain that has lasted 6 months or longer.
  • Aggravated symptoms, including discomfort that worsens with activities like sitting, bending, or lifting.
  • Pain that does not improve with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or spinal injections.
  • Modic type 1 or 2 changes on an MRI, indicating inflammation in the vertebral endplates. 

Get more information about WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute.