What is regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine is a combination of tissue engineering and biotechnology that uses stem cell products to repair or replace damaged body tissues, including cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The NuVive Medical team may recommend regenerative medicine if you suffer from chronic joint pain and dysfunction that has not resolved with chiropractic care or physical therapy and you want to avoid medications or surgery.

Who can benefit from regenerative medicine?

At NuVive Medical, regenerative medicine is used to help patients with:

• Chronic joint pain and inflammation

• Shoulder pain

• Knee pain

• Elbow pain

• Wrist and hand pain

• Hip pain

• Foot and ankle pain

• Muscle pain

To determine if you’re a candidate for regenerative medicine, the team begins with a consultation and physical exam. They may schedule you for X-rays or refer you for an MRI to determine the extent of damage in your joints, which may have been caused by normal wear and tear, arthritis, or trauma.

How does regenerative medicine work?

Regenerative medicine uses regenerative medicine products that contain the essential building blocks of your cells—including proteins, amino acids, and mesenchymal stem cells. When injected into injured tissues, regenerative medicine products identify the cells in the area and differentiate into those cells. Over the next weeks to months, the regenerative medicine products grow and develop into new tissue cells in order to repair or replace damaged cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Regenerative medicine products also contain anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties to relieve inflammation and pain and support natural healing on a cellular level.

What can I expect during a regenerative medicine visit?

During your regenerative medicine visit, the team begins with a consultation, exam, and possibly, imaging, to determine if you’re a candidate for care. If you can benefit from regenerative medicine, the team begins your treatment by cleaning your skin and injecting regenerative medicine products into the injured area.

The injection procedure takes less than 30 minutes and feels like a flu shot or other injection. You may notice some mild numbness or tingling for one to two days following your injection. After your visit, you can return to your usual activities without any necessary downtime.

Since regenerative medicine works on a cellular level, it may take several weeks to months to notice a change in your pain level and joint function. The team may recommend additional treatments, especially if you have severe pain or extensive joint damage.

Learn more about regenerative medicine by scheduling a consultation or coming to a free dinner talk.