Regenerative Medicine: A Better Option for Chronic Joint Pain
At the Natural Health Improvement Center, regenerative medicine is one of the most exciting ways we help patients move from “managing pain” to actually restoring function.
Instead of masking pain symptoms, regenerative therapies like Prolotherapy and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) work with your body’s own healing systems to repair damaged tissue, strengthen connective structures, and improve long-term stability.
If you’ve been living with lingering joint pain, tendon injuries, or instability that just won’t fully resolve, this may be the missing piece.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine focuses on stimulating the body’s natural repair mechanisms. When ligaments, tendons, and cartilage are damaged, they often receive limited blood supply — which means healing can be slow or incomplete.
That’s where targeted regenerative injections come in.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy (short for “proliferative therapy”) involves injecting a natural irritant solution into weakened ligaments or tendons. This stimulates a mild, controlled inflammatory response — which signals the body to send healing factors to the area.
Over time, this can:
Strengthen lax or overstretched ligaments
Improve joint stability
Reduce chronic pain
Restore function
Prolotherapy is often used for:
Chronic low back pain
Neck pain
Shoulder instability
Knee and elbow pain
Recurrent sprains
SI joint dysfunction
It’s especially helpful for people who feel “loose,” unstable, or like their joint never fully healed after an injury.
Dr. Auburn prepares to demonstrate prolotherapy on a knee during an NHIC Open House.
What Is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?
PRP takes regenerative medicine one step further.
During a PRP procedure:
A small sample of your blood is drawn.
It’s spun in a centrifuge to concentrate your platelets.
The platelet-rich portion which is packed with growth factors is injected directly into the injured area.
Platelets are rich in signaling proteins that promote tissue repair and collagen production. PRP can accelerate healing in:
Tendon injuries (like tennis elbow or Achilles issues)
Knee osteoarthritis
Rotator cuff injuries
Plantar fasciitis
Chronic joint pain
Because PRP uses your own growth factors from your blood, it’s a natural and highly targeted approach.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
You might benefit from Prolotherapy or PRP if:
You’ve had chronic joint pain for 3+ months
Imaging shows ligament laxity, tendon degeneration, or mild-to-moderate arthritis
You’ve tried rest, physical therapy, or medications without lasting results
You want to avoid or delay surgery
You’re active and want to stay that way
Regenerative injections are not a quick fix. They’re rebuilding structure so your body functions better long term.
Why Connective Tissue Matters
Ligaments and tendons are made primarily of collagen. Healing requires adequate building blocks and nutrients.
That’s why we often pair regenerative injections with nutritional support designed to optimize collagen production and tissue repair. When your body’s natural healing mechanisms and nutrition work together, outcomes improve.
Appointments Available Now
We’re excited to share that Ann Auburn, D.O., Ben Stevens, APRN-CNP, and Kristen Taylor, PA-C are currently accepting appointments for Prolotherapy and PRP injections at the Natural Health Improvement Center.
If you’ve been considering regenerative medicine, or wondering if you’re a good candidate, now is a great time to schedule a consultation and explore your options.
Support Healing From the Inside Out
This month, our Supplements of the Month are specially selected to support connective tissue repair and collagen production including Ligagenix, Liposomal Vitamin C formulas, and Super Collagen.
If you’re investing in your body’s healing, don’t forget to give it the nutritional tools it needs. Stop by the office or add any of these products to your cart to take advantage of 10% OFF while they’re featured.
Ready to start your journey towards a pain-free future? Click below to contact us for an appointment to discuss how regenerative injections might be able to change your life.
