A sweeping review of existing research challenges the claim that regenerative medicine is not based in science. The study‘s findings confirmed what our team of providers and satisfied patients already knew: regenerative therapies can be just as safe and effective as conventional treatments. In fact, they may be even safer and more effective!

Co-authored by our own Dr. Mulvaney, the review examined nearly one hundred published articles and studies. These studies appeared in some of the oldest and most well-respected peer-reviewed medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association and Lancet.

The review systematically examined many of the therapies we offer. However, the study also detailed the history of these therapies and regenerative medicine. For example, prolotherapy — one of our most popular and versatile treatments — dates back to the 1950s.

The review’s authors argue that the results of these studies call into question the use of some conventional treatments. For example, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and corticosteroid injections may temporarily relieve pain. However, research does not support either treatment as a long-term solution.

Additionally, surgery has many risks. In the United States, five thousand people die every year as a result of joint reconstruction surgeries. Managing pain with opioids also carries many risks, including addiction and death.

The study’s authors say there is still room to expand our understanding of regenerative medicine. For instance, there is little research directly comparing prolotherapy and PRP. They also point out that the use of saline injections as a control in such studies may bias results.