Menu
At Regenerative Performance, Dr. Drew Timmermans, ND, RMSK, specializes in naturopathic medicine and orthobiologics aimed at addressing the root causes of chronic pain. Stem cell therapy, AKA autologous cellular therapy is one of the powerful tools in his toolbox that could change your life.
As there are multiple different cells, proteins, and growth factors present in bone marrow concentrate and microfragmented adipose tissue (fat tissue), we prefer to use the term autologous cellular therapy as opposed to stem cell therapy. However, as most people use the term stem cell therapy, this will be used interchangeably.
Stem cell therapy is a minimally invasive treatment that utilizes your body’s own regenerative cells to support the healing of painful tissues. Despite this approach still being considered experimental, there is a growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating both the safety and efficacy.
At Regenerative Performance, Dr. Timmermans uses both bone marrow concentrate and microfragmented adipose tissue as sources of stem cell therapy. Each of these sources comes from your own body and has unique properties that can result in an improvement in pain and function.
Stem cell therapy involves harvesting cells, including adult mesenchymal stem cells, from your own body and injecting them into areas that are contributing to your pain. The cells, proteins, growth factors and signaling molecules present in both bone marrow and adipose tissues trigger a new healing response in your body, which can help to reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue repair, and improve your quality of life.
The procedure begins with collecting your bone marrow or adipose tissue using minimally invasive techniques. The bone marrow or adipose are then minimally processed to concentrate the stem cells, progenitor cells, proteins, and growth factors, which are then injected under image guidance (ultrasound and/or fluoroscopy) into the targeted area, where they can contribute to inflammation reduction and tissue repair.
Think of your body as a complex repair system. Within this system, stem cells serve as specialized emergency response units. These remarkable cells exist naturally throughout your body and possess two key capabilities. First, they have the biological potential to develop into different types of cells and tissues. Second, and perhaps more importantly, they act as sophisticated communication centers.
The traditional view of stem cells suggested that they worked by turning into new tissue to replace damaged tissue. However, recent scientific understanding has revealed a more nuanced and fascinating reality. The primary way stem cells promote healing is through their signaling ability – the stem cells act as master coordinators of the healing process. When injury occurs, stem cells release specific molecular signals that accomplish two crucial tasks: they activate dormant stem cells in the surrounding area and stimulate existing healthy cells to begin repairing themselves and the damaged tissue around them.
By orchestrating this profound healing response, stem cell therapy from bone marrow or adipose tissue can reduce pain, resolve inflammation, and help you get back to doing the things you love in life.
Stem cell therapy can be used to address most types of orthopedic pain and sports injuries that are coming from tissues such as:
Most cases of chronic pain involve a combination of tissues that are contributing to pain. Our diagnostic workup evaluates all of these structures to determine which tissues need to be treated in your specific case. Research shows that the best outcomes are seen when a comprehensive approach is taken, which means that all of the structures that are contributing to your pain are treated with stem cell therapy.
While the use of stem cell therapy is rapidly growing in popularity, not all stem cell treatments are equal, and the quality of treatment depends on three key factors: accurate diagnosis, proper harvesting and concentration, and precise delivery. When any of these three factors is missing, the chance for treatment failure increases. At Regenerative Performance, we place an enormous emphasis on the diagnostic workup, we utilize the latest technology and methods to harvest and concentrate your cells, and always perform our injections under direct ultrasound and x-ray guidance. All of this is done to ensure that we are doing everything we can to maximize your results.
At Regenerative Performance, we are strong believers in using what is already in your body to assist in healing, which is part of the reason that we only use cells obtained from you. The bone marrow and adipose tissue we use contain several different types of stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), in addition to proteins, growth factors, and signaling molecules, all of which are important for optimal healing. Because of this belief, we do not use any umbilical or embryonic stem cells in our practice.
While in residency at the Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Timmermans began performing both bone marrow concentrate and micro-fragmented adipose tissue procedures in 2017. Since this time, Dr. Timmermans has refined his technique and equipment to offer world-class stem cell therapy with excellent outcomes.
In 2021, Dr. Timmermans partnered with Metabiologies, a patient reported outcome registry that has tracked almost every single injection he has performed since joining. The data from this registry has helped improve our success and satisfaction rating. In fact, 91% of patients are satisfied with their improvement 6 months after treatment, and 96% are satisfied 12 months after their stem cell treatment.
At Regenerative Performance, we specialize in non-surgical solutions for chronic pain and orthopedic injuries, using the latest advancements in regenerative medicine (orthobiologics). Our orthobiologic director, Dr. Drew Timmermans, is RMSK-certified in diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and completed a residency in integrative pain management and regenerative medicine. He practices evidence-informed orthobiologics, which means your care is guided by both the latest research and real-world clinical experience.
We use image-guided injections with ultrasound and/or X-ray (fluoroscopy) depending on the type and location of the injection. This ensures maximum accuracy, safety, and effectiveness—delivering regenerative medicine precisely where your body needs it most.
We take the time to understand the full picture of your health with in-depth diagnostics before recommending any treatment. Every plan is personalized to your unique condition, anatomy, and goals. Dr. Timmermans also trains medical students and residents, helping to shape the next generation of regenerative medicine providers—so you can feel confident knowing you’re in the hands of a trusted leader in the field.
Not everyone is a candidate for stem cell therapy, and that’s exactly why we start with a thorough evaluation. We won’t rush you into a procedure; we take the time to identify the root cause of your pain and determine whether stem cell therapy is the best solution for you.
Your overall health, lifestyle, and treatment goals all play an important role in the decision-making process. If you’re not a candidate, we’ll discuss alternative options that are more appropriate for your situation. Our goal is to recommend what’s best for you, not just what’s available.
We use adult mesenchymal stem cells that are taken from your own bone marrow or fat tissue, depending on your condition and the treatment goals. Because these cells come from your own body, there is no risk of rejection. During your initial appointment, we will discuss the best source for your situation.
Most patients notice improvements in pain and function within 4 to 6 weeks after their stem cell treatment. Because this therapy works by stimulating your body’s natural healing response, results develop gradually, not overnight.
Improvements often continue to build over time, with many patients experiencing ongoing progress for 9 to 12 months. The timeline can vary depending on the area treated, the severity of your condition, and your body’s individual healing response. We’ll be here to support you throughout the process and track your recovery every step of the way.
For orthopedic and sports medicine conditions, stem cell therapy often provides long-term pain relief and improved function. While every patient responds differently based on their condition, age, and activity level, many experience benefits that last several years.
In fact, some research has shown meaningful improvements lasting 5 to 10 years or more following stem cell treatment. Because stem cell therapy can help to repair tissue, rather than just masking symptoms, the results tend to be more durable than many conventional treatments.
We’ll monitor your progress closely after treatment and provide guidance on how to support and extend your results through movement, nutrition, and other supportive therapies.
When performed by a trained physician using your own cells and sterile technique, stem cell therapy is generally considered safe. As with any medical procedure, there are risks, such as bleeding, infection, or temporary pain at the injection site, but serious complications are rare. We follow strict protocols and sterile technique to maximize safety and minimize risk.
Most patients tolerate stem cell injections very well. You may feel some pressure or brief discomfort during the procedure, especially in sensitive areas, but we take every step to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible.
For those who are anxious about pain or prefer a more relaxed experience, IV anesthesia is available. This allows you to rest comfortably throughout the procedure while we perform your procedure with precision using ultrasound or X-ray guidance. We’ll talk through all your options beforehand, so you feel informed, prepared, and at ease.
In most cases, insurance does not cover regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy. These therapies are considered elective or investigational by many insurance providers, even though patients often experience significant benefits. We’re happy to provide detailed documentation and receipts you can submit to insurance to seek reimbursement. You can also use your health savings account (HSA). To help make stem cell treatments more accessible, we have partnered with Advance Care Card, which you can apply to help finance your treatments.
The cost of stem cell therapy can vary depending on your individual needs, the specific condition being treated, and the complexity of your case. Since every person’s pain and health history is unique, we begin with a thorough diagnostic workup to better understand the root cause of your symptoms. This allows us to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to you, allowing us to give you a clear recommendation along with associated costs. Our goal is to ensure you’re getting the most appropriate and effective care, not just a one-size-fits-all approach.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only. Stem cell therapy is considered experimental, and results may vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and this treatment is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
726 N Greenfield Road
Suite 101
Gilbert, AZ 85234