How Regenerative Medicine Helps Your Body Heal Naturally

At Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center, renowned board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Behnam Khaleghi emphasizes healing and quality of life for patients struggling with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

Regenerative medicine is often a central part of that recovery process. It offers innovative solutions that don't require surgery or extended downtime. Keep reading to find out how regenerative medicine can help you heal.

A different way to treat chronic conditions

Conventional medical treatments typically focus on symptom management first, then on slowing the progression of the disease if possible.

Though helpful, these methods may not restore damaged structures or fully support long-term healing.

Regenerative medicine is different. It uses biological substances, often from your own body, to encourage repair. By concentrating and placing these reparative substances in the precise area that needs support, regenerative medicine stimulates healing on a higher level.

The types of regenerative medicine

At Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center, we offer two main types of regenerative medicine.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP comes from a small blood sample. After we draw the blood from your arm, Dr. Khaleghi uses a centrifuge, a machine that circulates the blood at a high speed to separate the platelets.

The resulting plasma contains a high concentration of platelets compared to normal blood. You might have heard of platelets in relation to their role in blood clotting, but they also contain growth factors that act like signals to your cells.

These growth factors signal the body to repair damaged tissue, grow new blood vessels to supply the injured area with oxygen-rich blood, and promote faster cellular turnover.

But what does all this mean for your symptoms? When PRP is injected into an injured joint, tendon, or other area of inflammation, it can reduce pain, speed up recovery, and support long-lasting healing.

Our patients with joint degeneration or tendon injuries often benefit from PRP because it promotes repair rather than just masking discomfort.

Stem cells 

Stem cells are unique because they can transform into any type of cell within the body. For example, stem cells can create brand new cartilage, muscle, tendons, or even bone.

We're all born with a large amount of stem cells, but unfortunately, their numbers decline sharply over time.

So, even though your body does attempt rejuvenation or replacement of damaged or injured tissues using stem cells, your body might not have adequate stem cells for the most rapid and complete healing possible.

Similar to PRP therapy, stem cell therapy involves injecting a highly concentrated solution directly at the site of tissue damage or injury. The stem cells start to develop into the needed tissue and also "instruct" nearby tissues to start healing.

Recent studies suggest that stem cells may work even better combined with exosomes. Exosomes are small particles that serve as messengers between cells. They help coordinate repair, reduce inflammation, and improve cellular communication, ultimately making healing more efficient.

Is regenerative medicine for you?

Regenerative therapies could be a good option for patients who have long-term pain, ongoing inflammation, or damage that isn’t improving with standard approaches. Conditions that may respond well include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Lupus
• Sports injuries, like tendinitis

Many patients who want to avoid surgery or delay the need for more aggressive measures like joint replacement opt for regenerative medicine. 

Similarly, many people who currently rely on pain medicine but want to use less of it find that regenerative medicine can help them reach those goals while offering benefits that medication cannot, such as more comfortable movement and improved quality of life.

At Pacific Rheumatology Medical Center, we focus on helping your body do what it was designed to do: heal itself from within. Regenerative medicine can be life-changing in that regard, and we're proud to be at the forefront of this innovative approach. 

To learn more about regenerative medicine treatments, call our Laguna Hills office today at 707-607-8912 or our Tustin location at 714-266-1458 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Khaleghi.