Naturopathic Assessment at Natural Health Clinic begins with a careful interview of each individual patient, reviewing their unique medical history and lifestyle. Examination includes both Eastern Medicine diagnostics and Western functional medicine, as well as physical and clinical exams. This may include Lab testing of blood and other body fluids, XRay, MRI, Ultrasound and other special studies may be ordered or reviewed. We also utilize mainland Functional Medicine Diagnostic services for functional assessment of hormone, mineral status, and digestive wellness.

Therapeutic Services include:

1. Nutrition
2. Naturopathic Pharmacy & Prescriptions
3. Regenerative Injection Therapy: Prolotheapy, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and Stem cell Therapy
4. Musculoskeltal Ultrasound Diagnostics / Needle Guidance
5. Physical or "Manual" Medicine
   (including specfic spinal and extremity manipulation)
6. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture Therapy
7. Women's Natural Medicine and
   Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement
8. Pediatrics
9. Weight Loss Programs

Regenerative Injection Therapy • Prolotherapy • PRP • Stem Cell Injections

Joint and tendon pain is a common occurrence in everyday life, especially if you have been active, participating in sports, and/or are aging. Movement is vital for health and well-being and it's fun, until it becomes too painful.

Many of us here on Kauai are active in ocean sports: surfing, diving, canoe paddling, and more. All of which can lead to overuse injuries, sprains, strains, and more severe joint injuries. But joint problems don't have to prevent you from doing the things you love: there are many options for natural pain relief including regenerative injection therapies such as Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell injections.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy has been used to treat chronic pain for approximately 80 years. The term "Prolotherapy" describes a therapy to stimulate "proliferation" of collagen, the basic substance of all connective tissue. Connective tissue makes up the vital structures that our joints are constructed of.

Originally discovered in 1939 by James Hackett, MD, Prolotherapy has been studied extensively by Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Health, and multiple university medical centers. It was endorsed by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, and in 2005 the Mayo Clinic recommended it for chronic tendon and ligament pain as a treatment option when physical therapy and exercises failed, and surgery was the only option left or not possible.

Prolotherapy involves the injection of concentrated dextrose (sugar water) and other key nutrients to tendons and ligaments of joints to stimulate healing. Hypertonic dextrose stimulates new collagen growth and normalization of function, reducing pain. Sometimes, small amounts of ozone gas are used in conjunction—referred to as "Prolozone."

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP became popular when celebrity athletes like Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant used it to heal injuries. PRP uses a concentration of your own platelets and plasma to stimulate healing. Platelets produce growth factors that stimulate stem cells to regenerate injured tissues.

If natural healing was insufficient or delayed, PRP injections can reintroduce growth factors and nutrients directly to the site. PRP is especially helpful in tissues with limited blood flow, such as cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. It's a preferred treatment for knee meniscus and shoulder labrum injuries.

Studies show PRP outperforms cortisone for tennis elbow at 8 weeks and improves pain and function in golfer's elbow, arthritis, and neck pain. The American Academy of Orthopedic Medicine recommends PRP, citing significant pain relief and function restoration. Despite over 800 studies showing potential benefits and few side effects, insurance coverage remains inconsistent.

Stem Cell Injections

Stem cells are immature cells capable of becoming more specialized when needed. In regenerative medicine (OrthoBiologics), "Mesenchymal Stem Cells" are used.

Sources include:

1. The patient's own bone marrow or adipose tissue (belly fat).
2. Human amniotic fluid, membranes, and placenta (not from fetuses).

Amniotic tissues are often discarded in hospitals. Biotechnology companies now harvest these tissues during cesarean sections and distribute them to practitioners. The FDA regulates this practice for safety.

Amniotic fluids have historically been used to heal burns and other injuries. Mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors in these tissues perform the "heavy lifting" in regenerative healing. Prolotherapy and PRP also work by drawing the body's own stem cells to the treatment site.

Conditions Treatable with Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT)

• Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, thumb, wrist, TMJ, and spine
• Tendonitis of the elbow and shoulder, rotator cuff injuries
• Chronic hip bursitis, groin, or hamstring injuries
• Headaches related to neck injuries or tightness
• Chronic sacroiliac or spinal pain from injury or arthritis

RIT is typically administered alongside chiropractic, physical therapy, massage, or exercise. It may be considered after other treatments such as cortisone, epidurals, or medications have failed.

Contraindications include:

• Autoimmune conditions
• Metal near injection site
• Allergy to dextrose or nutrients used
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Immunosuppression
• Use of anticoagulants like Coumadin (may require modification)

Chronic joint pain often limits activity and leads to medical consultations. Naturopathic medicine's focus on stimulating the body's healing aligns well with Regenerative Injection Therapies. Sometimes our bodies just need a little help - of the right kind!