Stem Cell Therapy at Regenerative Performance
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.
A Note on Terminology
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.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
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 efficacy12.
At Regenerative Performance, Dr. Timmermans uses both bone marrow concentrate and microfragmented adipose tissue3 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.
How Does Stem Cell Therapy Work?
The procedure begins with collecting your bone marrow or adipose tissue using minimally invasive techniques. The bone marrow or adipose tissue is then minimally processed to concentrate the stem cells, progenitor cells, proteins, and growth factors. These are 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.
What Can Be Treated with Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cell therapy can be used to address most types of orthopedic pain and sports injuries that are coming from tissues such as:
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Joints
- Bones
- Discs
- Nerves
- Muscles
- Fascia
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.
Are All Stem Cell Treatments the Same?
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.
What Types of Stem Cells Will Be Used in My Treatment?
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.
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Schedule a discovery call to find out if this treatment is right for your condition.
Regenerative medicine specialists in Gilbert, AZ.
What Should I Expect During my Stem Cell Treatment?
On procedure day, patients arrive at the office about an hour before their procedure. Once we are ready, you will be brought into the treatment room. If you are undergoing twilight anesthesia, that will be started at this time.
The bone marrow aspiration and/or lipo-aspiration will then be performed. Once the tissue has been harvested, the portions containing mesenchymal stem cells and other regenerative cells are concentrated. These cells are then injected back the same day into the painful tissues with ultrasound and/or X-ray guidance.
Most cases take three to four hours to harvest, concentrate, and perform precise image-guided injections. Once the procedure is complete, you will be taken into recovery and monitored until you are ready to leave. As we aim to support your body to heal, you will also receive an IV of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids the day of your procedure to assist in the healing process.
Our History with Stem Cell Therapy
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 DataBiologics, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Regenerative Performance for stem cell therapy?
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.
Where can I find stem cell therapy for pain relief near Gilbert, AZ?
If you’re in Gilbert or the East Valley and dealing with chronic pain or an injury, Regenerative Performance offers advanced, non-surgical stem cell therapy that uses your body’s own healing cells. Led by Dr. Drew Timmermans, our clinic specializes in image-guided injections to treat joint pain, soft tissue damage, and more—right here in Gilbert, Arizona.
Is stem cell therapy safe, and does it actually work for orthopedic pain?
Yes, absolutely. At Regenerative Performance, we only use your own bone marrow or fat tissue—never donor or lab-grown cells—which makes treatment both safe and personal. With a 91% patient satisfaction rate just six months after treatment, many of our patients see real improvements in their pain, mobility, and quality of life.
How long do stem cell therapy injections last?
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.
How much does stem cell therapy cost in Gilbert, and will insurance help pay for it?
Stem cell therapy is currently considered an out-of-pocket procedure, and insurance doesn’t usually cover it. That said, we offer honest pricing and can walk you through using an HSA or setting up financing if needed. Every case is different, so we’ll go over everything with you during your consultation—no surprises.
Is stem cell therapy painful?
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.
Will insurance cover stem cell therapy?
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.
What kinds of conditions do you treat with stem cell therapy in your Gilbert clinic?
We treat a wide range of orthopedic conditions, like arthritis, sports injuries, tendon or ligament damage, lower back pain, and joint issues. Whether it’s your knees, hips, shoulders, or spine, our goal is to help you heal naturally and avoid surgery whenever possible.
References
- Manchikanti L, Centeno CJ, Atluri S, et al. Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders: Evidence-Based Policy Position Statement of American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP). Pain Physician. 2020;23(2):E85-E131. PMID:32214287
- Centeno C, Sheinkop M, Dodson E, et al. A specific protocol of autologous bone marrow concentrate and platelet products versus exercise therapy for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial with 2 year follow-up. J Transl Med. 2018;16(1):355. doi:10.1186/s12967-018-1736-8
- Borić I, Hudetz D, Rod E, et al. A 24-Month Follow-Up Study of the Effect of Intra-Articular Injection of Autologous Microfragmented Fat Tissue on Proteoglycan Synthesis in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Genes (Basel). 2019;10(12):1051. doi:10.3390/genes10121051