PRP Therapy

Orthobiologic Therapy

Cellular Therapy

IV Hydration Therapy

How Long Does It Take?

30-60 minutes

How long does the treatment last?

As with most regenerative therapies, results depend on many factors, including the level and intensity of activities, ongoing wear and tear, and a patient’s overall state of health.

We have patients that prefer to have PRP once per year to keep them active and optimal, mostly as a “tune up” after their initial procedure, and we have patients who do very well for up to 5 years, and everything in between.

Who does PRP Therapy work best for?

PRP therapy works VERY well for most patients, regardless of age. That said, it’s not as effective for people with low baseline platelet count, as well as those who take NSAIDS (such as ibuprofen) on a regular basis (and cannot or will not stop taking them) and is also not as effective for people who smoke.

Patients considering PRP Therapy are strongly encouraged to stop all NSAIDS 30 days prior to the procedure.

What Are The Risks?

Your specific risks will be discussed with you by the doctor, but in general, this is considered a very low-risk procedure as long as it is done by a well trained, certified regenerative physician.

Over 10,000 papers in PubMed are about PRP, with no serious harm reported when administered as directed, by a qualified professional.

How long is the recovery period?

Most people start to notice relief from pain within one to two weeks. During the first three to five days after the procedure the neck can be stiff and sore, so patients are encouraged to use ice and rest.

Limiting major activity until about 4 weeks post procedure is recommended as that provides the new tissue and collagen adequate time to begin to cross-link, strengthen and stabilize.

It is NOT recommended to wear a cervical collar or brace after the procedure as this can lead to weakness in the surrounding muscles.

How Long Does It Take?

30 minutes, in conjunction with PRP therapy

How long does the treatment last?

1 to 5 years or longer.

What cervical spine conditions are best treated by Orthobiologic Therapy?

Orthobiologic Therapy is best used to amplify other treatments, in particular PRP Therapy, as its growth factors, scaffolding, and cellular preparation components help keep the platelet-rich plasma at the site of the injury.

For example, the joints in the cervical spine are small, but some conditions benefit from the addition of hyaluronic acid (HA) along with PRP into the joints themselves activating the PRP and prolonging the time the PRP stays in contact with the synovium or lining of the joint.

Orthobiologics are much more effective as a supportive therapy to PRP or cells, not nearly as much when used as a solo therapy therefore it is not recommended for use on its own.

What are the benefits of Orthobiologic Therapy?

Since it is very concentrated, it’s effectiveness isn’t limited by how much fluid the tissues can retain.

Since it provides additional healing factors, Orthobiologic Therapy can also decrease the post-procedure flare and discomfort, and hyaluronic acid (HA) in particular can activate and prolong the duration that PRP stays in contact with the synovium that lines the inside of a joint.

The joints in the cervical spine are very small, but there are some conditions in which the addition of HA can really improve and/or prolong relief.

What Are The Risks?

Orthobiologic Therapy contains non-autologous cells (cells curated from tissue that is not unique to your body).

While these products feature no living tissue and are highly screened and irradiated, there are risks that remain when working with foreign materials (allogeneic instead of autologous).

Your specific risks will be discussed with you by the doctor, but in general, this is considered a low-risk procedure as long as it is done by a well trained, certified regenerative physician and the products are carefully sourced from vetted companies.

How long does it take?

30 minutes to an hour for most cases, in conjunction with PRP therapy

How long does the treatment last?

1 to 5 years or longer.

How does Cellular Therapy work?

Cellular Therapy offers a powerful, natural solution for tissue repair and regeneration by utilizing your body’s own regenerative cells.

These cells contain growth factors, anti-inflammatory properties, and the ability to differentiate into various tissue types, making them highly effective at accelerating healing in damaged tissues.

We offer two types of cell therapies:

Bone marrow aspirated cells (BMAC) - This procedure involves drilling into six different areas of a section of posterior iliac crest (back of the pelvis bone) to aspirate the cellular contents. These cells have been identified as Mesenchymal Signaling Cells (MSC)

VSELs - Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) are small, dormant stem cells that have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types (not embryonic cells and not hematopoietic cells). These cells are originally housed in the bone marrow but released into the circulation in response to specific triggers, therefore this procedure involves a simple blood draw at the Regenerative Institute of Medicine to harvest these cells.

Dr. Heather is one of only two physicians in the world licensed to use a proprietary and powerful VSEL preparation technique for orthopedic and spine conditions using a patient’s own multipotent regenerative cells.

While we also do bone marrow aspirated cells (BMAC), patients generally opt for blood derived cells as we are one of the only facilities that has the equipment, know-how, and ability to harvest and process cells directly from your blood, in-house, without needing a separate lab or facility.

What cervical spine conditions are best treated by Cellular Therapy?

Cellular Therapy treats everything PRP therapy can—and often better, especially if it is an extensive neck injury or there is severe chronic neck pain and damage.

Like PRP, Cellular Therapy achieves the best results when the entire cervical spine is treated as a region and if there was an injury to your neck, if it is administered as close to the time of injury as possible.

If your neck pain has been present for many years, more than one treatment may be required to get optimal results however it is very common to get excellent relief from the first treatment.

It’s been proven effective in helping reduce pain and improve function in even pain from plain old arthritis, and even improve cervicogenic headaches (headache specifically radiating up from the neck).

Cellular Therapy can also heal ligament tears, and improve stabilization (such as whiplash injuries or repetitive movement injuries).

Many patients love how it works for strengthening the deeper structures of the neck which can lead to less muscle spasm, better range of motion, building new blood vessels to a tissue, and even healing the peripheral nerve.

Note: PRP is almost always included as a supportive treatment to a Cellular Therapy, as they are both autologous and work synergistically for your best outcome.

What are the benefits of Cellular Therapy?

Cellular therapy, especially when paired with with Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), is particularly effective for conditions such as degenerative joint disease, tendon injuries, and spine and joint-related issues, offering significant pain relief and functional improvement. 

When combined with PRP, which amplifies the body’s healing response, the results are even more remarkable. 

PRP serves as a catalyst, enhancing the function of the regenerative cells by providing additional growth factors and stimulating cellular activity at the injury site. 

Unlike PRP alone, which primarily relies on platelets, cellular therapy brings the added benefit of stem cells, which have the potential to rebuild and restore damaged tissues at a deeper level.

Since cellular therapy uses a concentration of your own powerful cells, many patients experience long-lasting results with just one treatment, as the regenerative cells continue working to repair tissues over time, offering a less invasive alternative to surgery with fewer risks and shorter recovery periods.

Since we have all the equipment we need at the Regenerative Institute of Medicine, obtaining and processing the regenerative cells is a simple in-house blood draw.

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

If the regenerative cells are taken from the bone marrow, the extraction procedure involves drilling into six different areas to aspirate the cellular contents—while, notably not enjoyable and may require its own healing process, these cells typically pay it forward in big ways. 

While we also do bone marrow aspirated cells (BMAC), patients rarely opt for this as we are one of the only facilities that has the equipment, know-how, and ability to obtain cells originally made in the bone marrow but released into the circulation, and harvested directly from your blood with a simple blood draw.

Given its complexity, cellular therapy is also a bigger financial investment.

How long is the recovery period?

As with PRP, most people start to notice relief from pain within one to two weeks. During the first three to five days after the procedure the neck can be stiff and sore, so patients are encouraged to use ice and rest.

Limiting major activity until about 4 weeks post procedure is recommended as that provides the new tissue and collagen adequate time to begin to cross-link, strengthen and stabilize.

It is NOT recommended to wear a cervical collar or brace after the procedure as this can lead to weakness in the surrounding muscles.

How long does it take?

60 minutes

How long does the treatment last?

Most people feel the benefits from IV hydration for at least two weeks (and up to four weeks). Some of our patients come once every two to three months for IV hydration.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by IV Hydration?

IV Hydration supports the healing and relief of all types of neck pain—and all joints—because it creates a healthier environment for those areas to function and repair themselves.

What are the benefits of IV Hydration?

IV Hydration is easy, safe, and effective for treating neck pain and chronic joint inflammation. Plus, the rest of the body benefits from being adequately hydrated, which is difficult to do with drinking these days!

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

Other than the hour of relaxing downtime and a numbed needle stick, hydration offers very little risk or drawbacks.

How long is the recovery period?

None.

How Long Does It Take?

Three to six 15-minute sessions every 1 to 2 days (typical treatment, your doctor may suggest more depending upon severity or chronicity)

How long does the treatment last?

It can last for several months to a year if done on its own—typically in a series of 3 to 5 treatments, depending on the root cause of the pain condition.

When done prior to (and in conjunction with) PRP to reduce fibrotic tissue, adhesions or chronic muscle spasm, most patients do not need another treatment for several years.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by Shockwave Therapy?

Shockwave Therapy can help reduce bone spurs and, as proven in a 2016 research paper, and is also capable of completely resolving bone edema and inflammation that sometimes exists under the cartilage of an arthritic or painful joint in the cervical spine.

If MRI shows this bone inflammation, we often use Shockwave Therapy prior to a PRP, orthobiologic or cellular procedure to improve longevity and outcome.

On its own, Shockwave can also completely correct plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, shoulder pain from rotator cuff strain, tendonitis, chronic muscle spasm, heel spurs, and can reduce spurs in the cervical spine, shoulders, knees, hips, and more.

What are the benefits of Shockwave Therapy

In addition to what we listed above, Shockwave has over an 80% success rate for neck pain caused by fibrotic or scar tissue, chronic spasm or calcifications within a neck muscle that impair it’s function with little to no downtime.

Its short treatment sessions and ability to amplify results of other treatments make it a popular addition to physician-directed treatment plans.

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

While non-invasive and relatively fast, Shockwave Therapy does require multiple treatments to be successful. On rare occasions, it can cause its targeted tissues to be tender or slightly bruised after treatment.

How long is the recovery period?

None.

How long does it take?

10 minutes or less per treated region. Multiple treatments are often needed.

How long does the treatment last?

K-laser relief lasts indefinitely if used for an acute injury (like whiplash or strain/sprain) and typically lasts three to six months for chronic conditions. After the initial sessions, monthly maintenance can also be done to “stay ahead” of chronic conditions.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by the K-Laser?

The K-Laser excels at treating acute strains, sprains, and inflammation. It does not work well on open wounds, cartilage, or bone.

What are the benefits of K-Laser Therapy?

K-Laser therapy is not only completely non-invasive painless, most patients say they actually enjoyed it! It has also been shown to activate and amplify the body’s natural healing response processes.

Because of this, we often use it after a PRP, Cellular, or Orthobiologic procedure on the neck as it can dramatically reduce post-procedure discomfort and downtime.

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

Like our Shockwave treatment, the K-Laser requires multiple sessions to receive the full benefit. We often bundle our packages in 5 or 10 treatments, and (strongly) recommend the first three sessions be completed on consecutive days for best results.

How long is the recovery period?

None.

How long does it take?

Labs, which typically take 7-14 days to get results, are initially required to determine your specific requirements.

Hormone creams or injectables are ordered at the compound pharmacy and can take a week or so to be prepared, and pellet placement is quick and easy—most patients are in and out of our office in 10 minutes.

How long does the treatment last?

Hormone pellets typically last five to six months for men, and three to four months for women. Creams are applied twice per day and if you are using an injectable testosterone, that is done twice per week.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy works best if levels are optimized before any cervical spine procedure is performed.

It’s best for anyone who has less than optimal hormone levels (not in the “normal” range on the lab work, but “optimal” which is typically in the top 25%).

We are finding younger and younger people who have declining hormone levels far younger than would be expected. (even sometimes patients in their twenties!)

What are the benefits of hormone therapy?

Hormone therapy not only supplements every single neck pain treatment, but it also promotes better healing and functioning of the body in general.

Most patients report more muscle mass, more energy, better metabolism, better sleep, better mood, increased intimacy and sexual performance, clearer focus—the list goes on.

You won’t know how your body is meant to feel until you give it what it needs!

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

Hormone therapy, like many regenerative therapies, is currently out of network with most insurance plans.

There are some patients who may have other medical conditions which make them poor candidates for hormone therapy, but more often than not, even those patients can sometimes be helped with a few hormones safely, if not all of them.

This is why it is so important to have a thorough evaluation of your overall health and your personal and family history before being offered hormone optimization.

How long is the recovery period??

No recovery time with creams and injectables. With pellets we ask for no exercise for three days post-pellet placement for women and 7 days for men.

Most people start to notice all the improvements with BHRT within 2 weeks of having pellets placed, or within a month of using creams or gels (both men and women can do pellets or topicals) or for men, injections of testosterone often takes about 2 to 4 weeks as well.

Not everyone absorbs topicals well—at least 25% of patients will not see their levels increase with creams or gels. These patients do very well with pellets (I am one of them!).

How long does it take?

10 minutes or less per treated region. Multiple treatments often needed.

How long does the treatment last?

After the initial treatment with peptide therapy, most patients choose to do maintenance once or twice per year. This helps encourage an ongoing regenerative response to help counteract our natural aging process.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by the Peptide Therapy?

Peptides improve the longevity of our cervical spine procedures while decreasing discomfort and downtime. (We typically start the peptide regimen a minimum of one week prior to our cervical spine procedures and then continue for a full two to four weeks post-procedure.)

What are the benefits of Peptide Therapy?

As Peptology® peptide regimens are unique to the patient and medically precise, they can significantly amplify the body’s healing response. This cascades to less down-time, faster healing, and other systemic benefits.

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

Most of the peptides you inject yourself at home with a tiny insulin needle, and a few of them you would come to the office to have injected for you.

If you have a strong aversion to even tiny needles, this may not be the treatment for you.

How long is the recovery period?

None.

How long does it take?

The treatment consists of a recommended six, 30-minute sessions (two per week for three consecutive weeks).

How long does the treatment last?

Results start to show at 30 days and become optimal at 90 days according to the clinical research studies.

For example when treating the core muscle group, at 30 days there is an increase in muscle mass by 16% and decrease of fat by 19%. By 90 days, increased muscle by 19% and decrease of fat by 23%.

What neck pain conditions are best treated by the EmSculpt?

EmSculpt is highly effective at treating “weak core syndrome” which contributes to neck pain due to slumped posture that results in the neck being protruded forward (a “gooseneck” position). This causes tremendous strain on the facet joints of the cervical spine.

When the chin is out in front of the rest of the body, gravity is pulling on the neck in an unnatural and excessive way.

Additionally, excess sitting causes our core to weaken and results in very poor sitting posture which strains the neck and the low back.

So many people with deconditioned core muscles experience neck and back pain, and vice versa - deconditioned core muscles can be a result from neck or back pain because patients find it hard to core exercises (sit-ups) and get strong due to their neck pain limitation.

EmSculpt can create the necessary supportive muscle strength and structures to prolong, protect, and provide results.

As a supportive procedure to any regenerative neck pain treatment, EmSculpt works best either right before a neck regenerative procedure (like PRP, or cellular procedure, etc.), or two-to-four weeks post-procedure, when the functional rehab and home exercise program begins. 

What are the benefits of EmSculpt?

EmSculpt uses painless, consistent, and results-driven patented technology.

For the core muscle group, patients are fully reclined during the 30-minute procedure, which consists of paddles placed over the treatment area. For the deltoid muscle, they are seated in a zero-gravity recliner.

Treatment includes a lactic-acid clearing mode to decrease muscle soreness and stiffness.  

What Are The Risks/Drawbacks?

EmSculpt is considered out of network for most insurance plans and therefore requires a personal financial investment.

EmSculpt cannot be used on anyone who has magnetic implants (in other words, if you can’t go into an MRI scanner, you can’t use EmSculpt)

How long is the recovery period?

Slight muscle soreness after the first few treatments (similar to a big workout at a gym).