Regenerative Medicine Therapies Could Be the Solution to Your Chronic Back Pain
If you’re often left on the sidelines because of your chronic back pain, regenerative medicine therapies may be exactly what you need to get you back to a physically active life.
At Precision Regenerative Medicine, Tammy Penhollow, DO, specializes in customized treatment plans for long-term pain relief using your body’s own cells. She takes a holistic approach to your treatment to increase the magnitude and longevity of the results.
Dr. Penhollow also offers comprehensive in-office diagnostic evaluations for chronic back pain to determine if you’re a candidate for nonsurgical regenerative therapy.
Why your back hurts so much
Back pain is one of the most common complaints among adults in the United States. An estimated 16 million Americans live with chronic back pain that puts limitations on what they can do.
Chronic back pain can stem from one or more conditions that affect your spine, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Osteoporosis
- Degenerative disc disease
You may also develop chronic back pain from injuries to the soft muscles in your spine from falls, car accidents, or sports participation.
Acute back pain caused by ligament strains and muscle sprains can also become chronic if you don’t take time to rest and let the tissues heal fully.
Additionally, you may be unknowingly increasing your risk for chronic back pain and disability if you smoke, frequently lift heavy objects, eat an inflammatory diet, or maintain an unhealthy body weight.
How regenerative medicine therapy can help you find back pain relief
Regenerative therapies are nonsurgical treatment options that use substances already found in your body, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Spine targets for these cell therapies include discs, the epidural space, facet joints, ligaments between and overlying the vertebrae, and the muscles in and around the spine.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma)
Your blood contains platelets, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory mediators. PRP is a concentrated component of your blood used to enhance the growth of new soft tissue cells to repair soft tissue tears and strains that can contribute to pain.
Bone Marrow Derived Stem cells
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are a unique type of cell that can regenerate into soft tissue cells, bone cells, and nerve cells. Treatment with your body’s own MSCs can help heal damage from injuries and chronic diseases to improve the function of your spine and its overall health.
Because the regenerative therapies we offer address the root cause of your back pain, you can expect to achieve pain relief that’s long lasting. You can also avoid the potential risks of invasive surgery, including infection, scars, and a long down-time.
What to expect during your regenerative therapy session
The regenerative procedures we offer at Precision Regenerative Medicine are performed using sterile precautions in the comfortable office environment. Dr. Penhollow follows a treatment plan that addresses your individual needs to optimize your results.
To access the PRP she needs for your treatment, we draw a sample of your blood and prepare it in a centrifuge, a device that quickly spins the liquid to separate PRP from other materials. The remaining high concentration of PRP is what she injects using ultrasound and fluoroscopic x-ray guidance into the soft tissues of your back.
If you’re having bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) therapy, Dr. Penhollow obtains the cells needed for treatment from a sample of your bone marrow. She inserts a needle into your hip bone, to extract the sample during a sterile outpatient procedure.
The Bone Marrow Aspirate is placed in the centrifuge and undergoes a double spin preparation. Once prepared, Dr. Penhollow uses ultrasound and fluoroscopic x-ray guidance to precisely inject the cells into damaged areas of your spine to encourage reduction in inflammation, decreased pain, and improved function.
Seeing the benefits of regenerative therapy
While you should take it easy in the days after your treatment, you won’t face a long recovery time like you would with surgery.
As new cells grow and heal your soft tissues and bone, you should notice a significant reduction in your pain.
This process can take some time but as your spine health improves, you should regain your functionality and be able to get back to the activities you love.
To find out if you’re a candidate for regenerative medicine therapies to ease your chronic back pain, schedule a consultation online or call Precision Regenerative Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona, today.
