Information
New Patient Forms
Pain Relief Partners provides Medical Services and Chiropractic Care to our patients in Vancouver, Washington. We strive to treat the cause(s) of the pain and discomfort, restoring health and functionality to the affected areas, rather than simply providing temporary relief of the pain. Prior to the first treatment, patients undergo a thorough initial evaluation, at which time our medical providers will assess their conditions and provide options for care. We encourage new patients to print off our New Patient Paperwork (link below) before coming in for their initial appointment to help our providers know what kinds of questions to ask you and what treatment options may be the best for you.
Our providers work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan suited to meet the specific needs of each patient. We inform our patients about the treatment options available and the care they will receive at our clinic so they know what to expect before they begin treatment. You have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss how our treatment options differ from others that may have been presented.
Our clinic works with numerous different insurance providers. Our experienced staff will help each patient understand their coverage while working with them to obtain the necessary paperwork. Pain Relief Partners also offers financial arrangements for the treatments that are not covered by insurance. At this time, no insurance companies cover stem cell therapy for the conditions treated in our clinic. We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Regenerative Medicine FAQ’s
What are Mesenchynal Stem Cells (MSC)?
Mesenchymal stem cells, or MSCs, are multipotent cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including: osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), myocytes (muscle cells), neurons (nerve cells), and adipocytes (fat cells). There are multiple research studies showing their ability to replicate these tissues as well as cause angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels). You can find research articles on our stem cell page.
An allograft is tissue that is injected or surgically transplanted from one person to another. Our allografts come from donated umbilical cords that have undergone thorough testing to assure safety and quality.
Why are Human Cell & Tissue Products from Cord Tissue More Effective?
Cord tissue cells (we use a product from GeneXStem, Dr. El Amin’s lab in Atlanta) have a faster replication time than adult mesenchymal stem cells. This means that, because they are younger and contain a higher concentration of growth factors, they can regenerate tissue at a faster speed than older cells can. The fitness of mesenchymal stem cells declines with age.
Why do we use Wharton’s Jelly?
There are a number of products available for injection. In our complimentary stem cell seminars, we go into detail about why we use Wharton’s Jelly stem cells instead of one of the many other sources available. The short answer is, these cells are very powerful and able to duplicate and differentiate into the cells that are needed at the location of the treatment. In addition to stem cells, Wharton’s Jelly contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, interleukins, glycoprotein, and over 400 cytokines including growth factors and interleukins. We have chosen an excellent product, handled with the highest standards in an FDA registered lab, to give you the best possible outcome.
Yes! Some people are most comfortable using tissue from their own body. For these patients, we have the option of using bone marrow harvested from the patient’s pelvis. This is typically done by numbing a portion of the hip bone while the patient is lying on their stomach. The area is then prepped like it would be in a surgery to make it sterile, and after the bone has been numbed, the marrow can be harvested and then placed in several joints in the body. This allows for multiple areas to be treated from one bone marrow collection. The entire procedure usually takes less than one hour.
Stem Cell Articles
1. Lyftogt J. Subcutaneous prolotherapy for Achilles tendinopathy. Australia’s Musculoskeletal Medicine Journal. 2007; 12:107-109.
2. Lyftogt J. Prolotherapy for recalcitrant lumbago. Australia’s Musculoskeletal Medicine Journal. 2008; 13:18-20.
3. Lyftogt J. Subcutaneous prolotherapy treatment of refractory knee, shoulder and lateral elbow pain. Australia’s Musculoskeletal Medicine Journal. 2007;12:110-112.
4. Mazor M, Lespessailles E, Coursier R, et al. Mesenchymal stem-cell potential in cartilage repair: an update. J Cell Mol Med. 2014 Oct 29. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.12378.
5. Diekman BO, Guilak F. Stem cell-based therapies for osteoarthritis: challenges and opportunities. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2013 Jan;25(1):119-26. doi: 10.1097/BOR.0b013e32835aa28d.
6. Davatchi F, Abdollahi BS, Mohyeddin M, Shahram F, Nikbin B. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Preliminary report of four patients. Int J Rheum Dis. 2011 May;14(2):211-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1756-185X.2011.01599.x. Epub 2011
7. Mishra A, Tummala P, King A, Lee B, Kraus M, Tse V, Jacobs CR. Buffered platelet-rich plasma enhances mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation. 2009 Sep;15(3):431-5.
8. Kasten P, Vogel J, Beyen I, Weiss S, Niemeyer P, Leo A, Lüginbuhl R. Effect of platelet-rich plasma on the in vitro proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells on distinct calcium phosphate scaffolds: the specific surface area makes a difference. J Biomater Appl. 2008 Sep;23(2):169-88. Epub 2008 Jul 16.
9. Ellingson AM, Shaw MN, Giambini H, An KN. Comparative role of disc degeneration and ligament failure on functional mechanics of the lumbar spine. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2015 Sep 24:1-10. [Epub ahead of print]
10. Iorio JA, Jakoi AM, Singla A. Biomechanics of Degenerative SpinalAsian Spine J. 2016 Apr;10(2):377-84. doi: 10.4184/asj.2016.10.2.377. Epub 2016 Apr 15. Review.
11. Butt AM, Gill C, Demerdash A, Watanabe K, Loukas M, Rozzelle CJ, Tubbs RS. A comprehensive review of the sub-axial ligaments of the vertebral column: part I anatomy and function. Childs Nerv Syst. 2015 May 1. [Epub ahead of print]
12. Von Forell GA, Stephens TK, Samartzis D, Bowden AE. Low back pain: A biomechanical rationale based on “patterns” of disc degeneration. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015 May 20. [Epub ahead of print]
13. Li Z, Peroglio M, Alini M, Grad S.Potential and Limitations of Intervertebral Disc Endogenous Repair. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2015 Mar 4.
14. Wang Z, Perez-Terzic CM, Smith J, et al. Efficacy of intervertebral disc regeneration with stem cells – A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal controlled trials. Gene. 2015 Jun 10;564(1):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.03.022. Epub 2015 Mar 19.
15. Tibiletti M1, Kregar Velikonja N, Urban JP, Fairbank JC. Disc cell therapies: critical issues. Eur Spine J. 2014 Jun;23 Suppl 3:S375-84. doi: 10.1007/s00586-014-3177-2. Epub 2014 Feb 8.
16. Krock E, Rosenzweig DH, Haglund L. The Inflammatory Milieu of the Degenerate Disc: is Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Repair a Feasible Approach?Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2015 Feb 11. [Epub ahead of print]
17. Handley C, Goldschlager T, Oehme D, Ghosh P, Jenkin G. Mesenchymal stem cell tracking in the intervertebral disc. World J Stem Cells. 2015 Jan 26;7(1):65-74. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.65.
18. Pettine KA, Murphy MB, Suzuki RK, Sand TT. Percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate cells significantly reduces lumbar discogenic pain through 12 months. Stem Cells. 2014 Sep 3. doi: 10.1002/stem.1845. [Epub ahead of print]
19. Yim RL, Lee JT, Bow CH, Meij B, Leung V, Cheung KM, Vavken P, Samartzis D. A systematic review of the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for disc degeneration: insights and future directions for regenerative therapeutics. Stem Cells Dev. 2014 Nov 1;23(21):2553-67. doi: 10.1089/scd.2014.0203. Epub 2014 Sep 11.
20. Hauser RA The Deterioration of Articular Cartilage in Osteoarthritis by Corticosteroid InjectionsJournal of Prolotherapy. 2009;1(2):107-123.
21. Wyles CC, Houdek MT, Wyles SP, et al. Differential cytotoxicity of corticosteroids on human mesenchymal stem cells. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2015 Mar;473(3):1155-64. doi: 10.1007/s11999-014-3925-y. Epub 2014 Sep 4.
22. Seshadri V, Coyle CH, Chu CR. Lidocaine potentiates the chondrotoxicity of methylprednisolone. J Arthr and Related Surg. 2009 Apr; 25(4): 337-347.
23. Hirsch G, Kitas G, Klocke R. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection in osteoarthritis of the knee and hip: factors predicting pain relief–a systematic review. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Apr;42(5):451-73. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.08.005. Epub 2013 Jan 29.
24. Hepper CT, Halvorson JJ, Duncan ST, Gregory AJ, Dunn WR, Spindler KP. The efficacy and duration of intra-articular corticosteroid injection for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of level I studies. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009 Oct;17(10):638-46.
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28. Ravi B, Escott BG, Wasserstein D, Croxford R, Hollands S, Paterson JM, Kreder HJ, Hawker GA. Intraarticular hip injection and early revision surgery following total hip arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2015 Jan;67(1):162-8. doi: 10.1002/art.38886
29. Siengdee P, Radeerom T, Kuanoon S, Euppayo T, Pradit W, Chomdej S, Ongchai S, Nganvongpanit K. Effects of corticosteroids and their combinations with hyaluronanon on the biochemical properties of porcine cartilage explants. BMC Vet Res. 2015 Dec 4;11(1):298. doi: 10.1186/s12917-015-0611-6.
30. Massy-Westropp N, Simmonds S, Caragianis S, Potter A. Autologous blood injection and wrist immobilisation for chronic lateral epicondylitis.Adv Orthop. 2012;2012:387829. doi: 10.1155/2012/387829. Epub 2012 Dec 4.
31. Khaliq A, Khan I, Inam M, Saeed M, Khan H, Iqbal MJ. Effectiveness of platelets rich plasma versus corticosteroids in lateral epicondylitis. J Pak Med Assoc. 2015 Nov;65(11 Suppl 3):S100-4.
32. Yadav R, Kothari SY, Borah D. Comparison of Local Injection of Platelet Rich Plasma and Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis of Humerus. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015 Jul;9(7):RC05-7. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/14087.6213. Epub 2015 Jul 1.
33. Arirachakaran A, Sukthuayat A, Sisayanarane T, Laoratanavoraphong S, Kanchanatawan W, Kongtharvonskul J.Platelet-rich plasma versus autologous blood versus steroid injection in lateral epicondylitis: systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Orthop Traumatol. 2015 Sep 11. [Epub ahead of print]
34. von Wehren L, Blanke F, Todorov A, Heisterbach P, Sailer J, Majewski M. The effect of subacromial injections of autologous conditioned plasma versus cortisonefor the treatment of symptomatic partial rotator cuff tears.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2015 May 28. [Epub ahead of print
35. Gosens T, Den Oudsten BL, Fievez E, van ‘t Spijker P, Fievez A. Pain and activity levels before and after platelet-rich plasma injection treatment of patellar tendinopathy: a prospective cohort study and the influence of previous treatments.Int Orthop. 2012 Sep;36(9):1941-6. doi: 10.1007/s00264-012-1540-7. Epub 2012 Apr 27
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