Decrease Joint Pain, Avoid Surgery

by Julie Peterson

The musculoskeletal system includes ligaments, bones, muscles, tendons and nerves. All of these are prone to injury or overuse, which can result in painful conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, strains or sprains, injuries from playing sports or pain in a variety of joints like the hips, knees, shoulders, neck or spine. 

“Without treatment, pain from these conditions or injuries can linger for months or even years. But regenerative medicine is an exciting way to allow the body to regenerate itself naturally,” says Suman Banerjee M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Revive MD Center, in Glen Allen. 

Athletes have talked about healing from sports injuries and getting back into play faster with regenerative treatments, which has helped bring awareness of the methods to the mainstream. But it’s not just for athletes. Men and women of all ages have undergone treatment for various injuries and ailments to improve pain symptoms and ease of movement while avoiding surgery or other invasive medical procedures. Surgery can take a considerable toll on people and the desired outcomes are not always achieved. But chronic pain is also tough to live with.

“Developing joint and musculoskeletal pain, nerve issues or other chronic health problems can decrease your ability to work, engage in exercise and enjoy activities with your friends. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend the rest of your life suffering from chronic pain,” says Banerjee. “We use a variety of comfortable, effective methods to manage your symptoms and reduce your discomfort. For example, we might use laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma treatments or stem cell therapy to address your pain. Since all of these options are very relaxing, you can expect to feel at ease during your treatment.”

At the first appointment, a health history and assessment of pain and/or injuries will be conducted before a management plan is recommended. As an advanced integrative and regenerative center, Revive MD offers a variety of options to promote healing. 

Regenerative Biologics 

Regenerative biologics, including stem cell therapy, has been used for the management of post-traumatic or degenerative arthritis, pain and other conditions for many years. Revive MD Center is dedicated to studying and researching the impact and many benefits of this treatment and is currently involved in clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness of regenerative biologics, including stem cells derived from adult postnatal placental tissue to manage arthritis, ligament injuries, neuropathy pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. Research has shown that this therapy accelerates wound healing, repair, tissue restoration and regeneration to fill, cover and protect a defect or tear by providing cushioning, lubrication and support. Therapy consists of targeted injections into the area/s of pain and since there is no surgery involved, patients have a short recovery time.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves drawing blood, isolating the platelets and then injecting them back into the patient to reduce pain and inflammation. This technique allows the body to use its own platelet-derived growth factors to promote healing. Injuries treated this way have been shown to heal much more quickly, which is one reason it’s highly popular with athletes. 

Laser Therapy

Class IV laser therapy for neuropathy is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared, therapeutic treatment that manages pain and inflammation while accelerating tissue regeneration and initiating healing on a cellular level. It can increase circulation, which draws water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area and creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. High-power laser therapy can stimulate all cell types, including soft tissue, ligaments, cartilage and nerves, and studies show that it can reduce pain associated with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome; tennis elbow; neck, back and knee pain; plantar fasciitis; rheumatoid arthritis; fibromyalgia; diabetic neuropathy; sports injuries and automobile- and work-related injuries.

“Revive MD Center has created a library of conditions so patients can learn more about the issues they are facing,” says Banerjee. “If you have one of these conditions, contact Revive MD Center to see if regenerative medicine is the right choice for you.”

Revive MD Center, 5310 Twin Hickory Rd, Ste B, Glen Allen. 833-REV-0099. ReviveMDCenter.com/regenerative-and-integrative-medicine.