When pain lingers despite rest, therapy, or cortisone shots, many patients start looking for something different — something that actually helps the body repair itself. That’s where regenerative orthopedics comes in.
These therapies use your body’s natural healing capacity to restore strength, stability, and mobility in damaged joints, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissue. They’re non-surgical, in-office procedures that require little to no downtime and help reduce or eliminate chronic pain safely and effectively.
Since 1996, Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, of Explore Health in Scottsdale, Arizona, has helped thousands of patients regain pain-free movement — avoiding surgery, opioids, and harmful cortisone injections, which can weaken soft tissue and cartilage over time.
Patients often come to Explore Health after other treatments have failed. They stay because regenerative medicine helps their bodies do what they were designed to do: heal.
Our office treats nearly all types of chronic and acute musculoskeletal pain as well as nerve-related injuries. The most common include knee, low back, shoulder, and hip pain — but regenerative medicine can help many areas of the body, including:
Low back pain: ligament, tendon, and facet capsule injuries; mild degenerative discs, sciatica
Whiplash, neck pain, and post-concussion injuries: headache, dizziness, mental fog, ligament and tendon sprains
Shoulder pain: torn rotator cuff, partial and full tendon tears, tendonitis, dislocations, bursitis, labral tears, nerve pain, osteoarthritis, and frozen shoulder
Hip pain: osteoarthritis, labral tears, ligament/tendon injuries, bursitis, bone on bone
Knee pain: MCL, LCL, ACL, PCL tears, osteoarthritis, Baker’s cysts, meniscus tears, bone on bone
Ankle/Foot pain: high ankle sprain, tarsal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis
Elbow pain: golfer’s and tennis elbow
Hand/Wrist pain: carpal tunnel syndrome
Nerve pain: chronic constriction injuries, peripheral nerve entrapment, sciatica
TMJ: pain and joint dysfunction
A study published by the American Osteopathic Association of Medicine found that roughly 80% of patients receiving prolotherapy experienced at least a 50% reduction in pain.
Success depends on factors such as age, healing capacity, and injury severity — but studies consistently show that for low back pain, 85–95% improve with prolotherapy, compared with only 52% improvement from surgery.
In our own 30 years of practice, working with thousands of patients, our observed success rate is 80–90%. Some see results after a single treatment, while others may need a series spaced over six to twelve months for complete recovery.
Clinical success rate: 80–90% in our practice over 30 years.
Prolotherapy has been used safely since the 1950s to strengthen weakened joints and soft tissues. The solution — typically a mix of dextrose, saline, local anesthetic, and a mild analgesic — creates a controlled healing response that stimulates collagen production and tissue repair.
It’s ideal for restoring structural integrity in ligaments and tendons that no longer heal well on their own.
PRP and A2M are derived from the patient’s own blood using a simple in-office process. The resulting concentrate is rich in growth factors and regenerative proteins that enhance repair in areas of inflammation or tissue damage.
PRP is best for moderate-to-severe soft tissue injuries, while A2M (Alpha-2-Macroglobulin) supports cartilage regeneration and helps protect against degenerative joint changes.
For reference, one PRP treatment is roughly equivalent to three standard prolotherapy sessions in potency.
Wharton’s Jelly is a biologic connective-tissue matrix derived from ethically donated umbilical cords after healthy births. It provides hyaluronic acid, peptides, and extracellular vesicles that help fill gaps in cartilage and ligaments, supporting the repair of osteoarthritis and advanced soft-tissue injuries.
This next-generation therapy acts like a biological cushion and scaffold — providing the building blocks your body needs for long-term joint restoration.
All regenerative injections work by initiating the body’s natural healing process.
They promote:
Increased circulation and nutrient delivery
Growth factor release and fibroblast activation
Collagen formation to strengthen connective tissue
Improved joint alignment, range of motion, and stability
Over time, pain subsides, mobility returns, and the tissue remodels into a stronger, more resilient structure.
Cortisone temporarily silences inflammation — much like taking the batteries out of a smoke alarm when it’s beeping. The relief is short-lived, and the underlying problem worsens as ligaments and cartilage weaken.
Regenerative injections, on the other hand, stimulate healing instead of suppressing it.
They rebuild the joint’s foundation and restore healthy movement patterns. The result: less pain, improved strength, and long-term function — without surgery or steroid damage.
Natural joint repair without surgery or cortisone.
Explore Health offers regional hyperthermia, a post-procedure therapy proven to enhance the effects of regenerative injections. This pain-free, computer-guided treatment uses heat up to 112°F to raise tissue temperature deep below the surface — without burning the skin.
The increase in blood flow (up to 1500%) accelerates delivery of oxygen, nutrients, growth factors, cytokines, and stem-cell–derived peptides, optimizing the healing environment.
Patients often notice faster recovery, less stiffness, and stronger long-term results.
Many clinics advertise “free consultations,” but a meaningful evaluation requires depth.
At Explore Health, our $295 initial consultation has been reduced to $99 and includes:
Comprehensive review of MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound imaging
Orthopedic and neurological examination
Real-time ultrasound evaluation of soft tissue and joint structures
This approach allows us to identify the root cause of your pain and design a personalized regenerative treatment plan for lasting relief.
“I was severely injured in a car accident and lived with unbearable neck, mid, and low back pain. After multiple epidurals and spinal procedures by a top-rated Phoenix specialist, I was told nothing more could be done. Then I found Dr. Nelson. After five prolotherapy sessions over six months, I was completely pain-free. Dr. Nelson and Stephanie gave me my life back.”
— M.T.
When choosing a regenerative medicine provider, consider:
Experience: Years in practice and total patients treated
Precision: Use of ultrasound-guided injection techniques
Training: Continuing education in prolotherapy, PRP, and biologic medicine
Approach: Focus on true regeneration, not short-term pain management
Since 1996, Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, has provided evidence-based regenerative care in Scottsdale, Arizona, helping thousands of patients restore movement and live pain-free — even after unsuccessful treatment at other clinics.
Is prolotherapy a safe alternative to cortisone shots?
Yes. Unlike cortisone, prolotherapy strengthens soft tissue rather than weakening it, addressing the root cause of pain instead of masking it.
How many treatments are needed?
Most patients improve after one to five sessions depending on the type of injury, age, and healing ability.
Does insurance cover regenerative injections?
Most plans classify regenerative injections as elective or investigational, but HSA and FSA funds may cover related services.
Healing depends on more than what’s injected — it’s about the health of the entire system.
Our Explore Health: Regenerative Orthopedic Program offers three options:
Explore Health
Nutrient and hormone status - Our comprehensive lab testing is included in our Expl
Inflammation and metabolic function
Hidden contributors to chronic pain, such as toxins, infections, dental issues, or scar interference
Correcting these imbalances enhances your regenerative response, helping each treatment work better and last longer.
If you’re tired of short-term fixes and want a lasting, natural solution for joint or spine pain, we’re here to help.
At Explore Health, in Scottsdale, AZ Dr. William D. Nelson, NMD, combines regenerative injections, biologic therapies, and integrative treatments like regional hyperthermia to restore movement, reduce pain, and rebuild strength safely.
Schedule your consultation today:
Call or text: (602) 692-4626
Location: 7320 E Deer Valley Rd, Ste 100, North Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Appointments are available MT-TF, 9 AM – 5 PM.
We welcome local patients from Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, North Phoenix, Cave Creek and Carefree. Tucson, Sedona, or Flagstaff and out-of-state patients can utliize Telemedicine consultations virtual evaluation appointment. Many patients not able to be treated locally have flown into Sky Harbor stayed over one night and flew home after their treatment.
If you’re ready to finally move without pain—and avoid another cortisone shot or surgery—reach out today. Let’s rebuild what’s been lost, naturally.
