Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
Have you heard of vertebrogenic low back pain, or VLBP? This type of back pain results from damage to the spine’s vertebral endplates, which act as an interface between the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. As a significant cause of chronic lower back pain, VLBP requires prompt treatment to prevent lost mobility.
Keep reading to learn all about vertebrogenic low back pain and how it can be treated to restore your quality of life.

Table of Contents
- How Do You Diagnose Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?
- Is Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain a Disability?
- Can Spondylolisthesis Cause Low Back Pain?
- How Do You Treat Vertebrogenic Pain Syndrome?
- Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain Treatments
- NSAIDs for Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
How Do You Diagnose Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?
You diagnose vertebrogenic low back pain with a family history, physical exam, and imaging tests (i.e. MRI).
- A complete family history is an important step in the process of diagnosing vertebrogenic low back pain, as it can be genetic.
- During your physical exam, a physician will have you bend and twist in certain ways to better understand your pain. They’ll probably also feel your spine to identify any abnormalities.
- Imaging tests are required to definitively diagnose vertebrogenic low back pain. Physicians generally use magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, for this condition.
- MRI scans use radio waves and magnetic fields to create detailed images of the spine. This type of scan displays the spinal endplates and allows your doctor to identify damage.
Is Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain a Disability?
Vertebrogenic low back pain can be a disability, especially in the advanced stages.
With VLBP, you may experience pain when you’re physically active, bend forward, or sit for extended periods. You may also get referred pain, which is pain in a different area of the body from where the pain originates.
Over time, if the damage worsens, VLBP can make it difficult to complete your day-to-day activities. You may also experience back pain that makes it hard to move freely. If the pain persists for longer than three months, it’s typically considered chronic.
When vertebrogenic low back pain causes chronic pain, it can be used to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. SSDI gives financial support through monthly payments to individuals with a disability that keeps them from working.
Can Spondylolisthesis Cause Low Back Pain?
Spondylolisthesis can cause low back pain.
While spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition, it’s different from vertebrogenic low back pain. Spondylolisthesis affects the vertebra itself, not the endplates. It occurs when a vertebra slips out of its normal position, falling onto the vertebra beneath it.
With spondylolisthesis, the misaligned vertebra may compress spinal nerves, triggering back pain and neurological symptoms. This condition most often affects the L4-L5 and L5-S1 spinal levels, so it typically affects the lower back.
How Do You Treat Vertebrogenic Pain Syndrome?
You can treat vertebrogenic pain syndrome with physical therapy, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, and a procedure known as basivertebral nerve ablation.
Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain Treatments
Vertebrogenic low back treatments include:
- Physical therapy
- NSAIDs
- Muscle relaxants
- Basivertebral nerve ablation
Physical Therapy for Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
Physical therapy for VLBP involves therapeutic exercises, stretches, and complementary therapies. These exercises are intended to strengthen the muscle groups that protect the spine, like your core, and improve spinal alignment. Over time, this helps balance the impact on your spine, leading to less pain and inflammation.
Many PTs offer complementary therapies like electromagnetic stimulation, massage, and acupuncture. These methods can provide an even greater improvement in pain and inflammation.
NSAIDs for Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain

NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Examples include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. These medications reduce inflammation and curb pain signals, making them a good short-term remedy for vertebrogenic low back pain.
Physicians generally start by recommending over-the-counter NSAIDs for individuals with VLBP. However, if these medications don’t improve your symptoms, you may be a candidate for prescription NSAIDs, which contain higher doses of medication.
NSAIDs are generally paired with physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments, among other treatments, to create a well-rounded VLBP treatment strategy. It’s essential to consider the risk of side effects, complications, and reliance before starting any new medication.
Muscle Relaxants for Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
Muscle relaxants are prescription medications used to treat muscle spasms and tension. Your physician may recommend this type of medication if you’re struggling with lower back spasms from VLBP, or if tight muscles are worsening your pain.
There are two major types of muscle relaxants: antispastic and antispasmodic. Antispastic drugs work in the brain and muscle tissue to reduce tension. Antispasmodic drugs prevent the involuntary muscle contractions that lead to spasms.
Note that muscle relaxants are only recommended for use in the short term. They’re not a long-term solution for vertebrogenic low back pain, although they may help you manage pain while you recover.
Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain
Basivertebral nerve ablation is a widely used treatment for moderate to severe vertebrogenic low back pain. It’s a minimally invasive treatment that targets the basivertebral nerve – the nerve that begins in the vertebra and extends into the vertebral endplates.
During this procedure, the physician inserts a radiofrequency probe into the affected vertebra to reach the basivertebral nerve where it starts to brand into the endplate. The probe heats the nerve with radiofrequency energy, creating a controlled injury and blocking nerve signals to the brain. Basivertebral nerve ablation is often recommended if medication and physical therapy don’t alleviate VLBP. As a minimally invasive procedure, it presents fewer risks and a shorter recovery period than conventional spinal surgery. It also provides long-lasting results, with patients experiencing improved pain and function for several years.
Can I Prevent Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?
Vertebrogenic low back pain can be caused by genetics and age-related spinal degeneration, so it’s not preventable in every case. However, you can lower your risk for this and other spinal conditions with a handful of lifestyle adjustments, including:
- Reaching (and maintaining) a healthy weight to prevent excess impact on the spinal end plates
- Sticking to a consistent, low-impact exercise routine to preserve your mobility, retain muscle strength, and improve circulation
- Stretching regularly to prevent muscle tension and declining flexibility
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet and limiting processed foods, added sugars, and alcohol
- Quitting smoking, which can weaken your spine and compromise the body’s ability to regenerate damaged tissue
Additionally, you may be able to prevent disability from vertebrogenic low back pain by seeing a doctor as soon as you start to have symptoms. Like most conditions, VLBP is easier to treat in its early stages, and early intervention may prevent the need for surgery.
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Can I Prevent Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain?
Vertebrogenic low back pain can be caused by genetics and age-related spinal degeneration, so it’s not preventable in every case. However, you can lower your risk for this and other spinal conditions with a handful of lifestyle adjustments, including:
- Reaching (and maintaining) a healthy weight to prevent excess impact on the spinal end plates
- Sticking to a consistent, low-impact exercise routine to preserve your mobility, retain muscle strength, and improve circulation
- Stretching regularly to prevent muscle tension and declining flexibility
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet and limiting processed foods, added sugars, and alcohol
- Quitting smoking, which can weaken your spine and compromise the body’s ability to regenerate damaged tissue
Additionally, you may be able to prevent disability from vertebrogenic low back pain by seeing a doctor as soon as you start to have symptoms. Like most conditions, VLBP is easier to treat in its early stages, and early intervention may prevent the need for surgery.