WASHINGTON - Eight out of 10 Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. The pain is sometimes so severe, it requires surgery and months of rehabilitation -- but there are other options.

A new procedure at George Washington University Hospital treats chronic back pain using radio-frequency generated heat.  Doctors say it's effective, and minimally invasive.

Intense lower back pain has prevented 52-year-old Andrea Grenadier from working out for two years.

"It literally feels like my spine is being pulled off my pelvis all the time," she said.

She's tried epidural shots, physical therapy and core strengthening exercises. Nothing has worked. Dr. Mehul Desai found a disc in her back had a slight tear and nerves had grown into the disc, causing her pain.

He suggested she try a new minimally invasive treatment called disc biacuplasty.

"This procedure via heat seals off tears and burns back nerve endings so it's no longer painful," Dr. Desai said.

Two probes are placed one-third of the way into the injured disc, and radio-frequency energy heats the area for 15 minutes.

The procedure helps patients with chronic lower back pain who haven't had back surgery and whose disc isn't worn down too drastically.

Associated risks include infection, bleeding, worsening of pain and nerve injury. But Dr. Desai says most patients see significant improvements.

"Probably 80 percent of the patients have had more than 50 percent improvement in their symptoms," he said.

Two months after surgery, Grenadier is feeling much better. She wears a brace for support and has regular physical therapy. And although not 100 percent yet, she's hopeful the procedure, and her hard work, will pay off.

"I know there's a big light at the end of the tunnel," Grenadier said.

Disc biacuplasty costs about $5,000, and despite being FDA approved, it is not covered by all insurance plans.

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