Back Pain Relief Through Regenerative Therapy

Don Clem was always a whiz with numbers, which led him to pursue a career in finance. He attended small Shepherd University in West Virginia, where he earned a degree in business and finance. His interest in business was initially cultivated while working at his family’s gas station as a youngster. “I began working at the gas station when I was 12 years old,” Don discloses. “Through college, I worked at the gas station and also had a job as a bank teller. Following graduation, I worked as a commercial lending officer in a bank, so I’ve always been directed toward business. “From the bank I went to the NASDAQ stock market on the regulatory side. I worked for the National Association of Securities Dealers as an examiner, then moved on to a brokerage firm in Washington, DC, as a compliance officer. I finished my career as a controller for a specialty construction company that does electrical contracting.” Retirement has given Don more time to pursue some of his favorite pastimes, which include golf and singing. “I’ve been in choral groups and church choirs for more than 50 years,” the tenor shares. “Currently, I’m a member of the Key Chorale of Sarasota, which I really enjoy. I also sing in our church choir here in Venice.” In recent months, aggravating back pain began to interfere with those and other activities. Don not only had to give up golf, but he also had to sit rather than stand during his chorus rehearsals. “I’ve always had lower back problems, but they got progressively worse in recent years,” Don relates. “The pain in my back became so bad that some mornings it was difficult just to stand up. If I stood or walked for a long time, there would be an aching, stabbing pain in my lower back. “Sometimes, the pain would get up to a nine or 10 on a scale of one to 10. It was just debilitating. When I was lying down or sitting, I didn’t feel the pain. But standing and walking were not good.” Seeking relief, Don visited Johnson Medical Center, a comprehensive medical practice in Venice, where he met with its principal provider, Dr. Jeffrey P. Johnson.

Examination Results

“Mr. Clem came to our practice complaining of sharp, cutting, stabbing pain and stiffness in his lower back,” Dr. Johnson recalls. “The pain was worse while standing, walking and lifting. It adversely affected and occasionally prevented his ability to participate in activities and enjoy life.” After a detailed examination that included x-rays, Dr. Johnson determined the primary source of Don’s pain was the facet joints in his lower spine. “Those joints were degenerated and arthritic,” Dr. Johnson reports. “As a result of the degeneration, the material that cushions the bones of those joints had worn away. That allowed the bones to rub against each other and cause his pain.” The facet joints are pairs of small joints at each vertebral level of the spine. They connect the vertebrae and allow the spine to bend forward and backward. They are also a common cause of back pain. “Fortunately, Mr. Clem still had some natural tissue in his facet joints that we could build on,” Dr. Johnson continues. “That made him an excellent candidate for our regenerative therapy protocol.”

Body Builders

Regenerative therapy is a novel treatment in Dr. Johnson’s arsenal against pain. It works by harnessing natural healing factors in the body to provide cushioning for degenerated and injured joints to help relieve pain and improve function. These healing factors, which can help stimulate the body’s ability to heal, are extracted from the patient’s blood or supplemented by amniotic fluid donated from healthy baby deliveries. “In addition, we inject a material called micro human tissue, which contains a high concentration of the vibrant substances that promote the body’s healing ability,” Dr. Johnson informs. The micro human tissue is obtained from umbilical cords donated by mothers following healthy births. The umbilical cord has protective tissue that surrounds the arteries and veins and is a vital component of fetus development. Johnson Medical Center’s regenerative therapy protocol begins with a thorough evaluation to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the therapy. Dr. Johnson also seeks to identify any other contributing conditions that may need to be addressed to ensure favorable outcomes. “Our protocol requires a single injection of the mixture of purified amniotic fluid and micro human tissue,” Dr. Johnson explains. “These are the most effective in treating joint conditions and promote healing. “Depending on the patient, our protocol may also include physical medicine to help improve the person’s function, and IV nutrition and/or IV ozone therapy to help boost the immune system and improve the person’s ability to heal faster.” Dr. Johnson notes that injections are less invasive and allow for speedier patient recoveries than surgery. Injections also come with a very low risk for complications such as bleeding and infection, which can occur with joint replacement and other types of surgery. “Regenerative therapy provides an option for patients with conditions that I would have previously referred for surgery,” Dr. Johnson asserts. “It’s been a terrific addition to our practice, where we also use rehabilitation therapy, laser therapy, chiropractic and other modalities to assist with the process of rehabilitating damaged joints. The goal is for the treatment to be a long-term restorative event, not just a short-term fix. “Most importantly, it works. We’re seeing tremendous results with our regenerative therapy protocol. Within weeks of beginning treatment, patients are experiencing terrific relief from their joint pain. In a matter of months, we’re seeing an increase in the cushioning and true healing of the joint. You don’t see that level of healing with joint replacement or other surgery.” At Johnson Medical Center, regenerative therapy injections are administered by Mahendra Poonai, RN, APRN, FNP-BC, under ultrasound guidance, which ensures appropriate placement of the regenerative material at the site of the degeneration and/or injury. “Mahendra has traveled across the country to receive the best training in regenerative medicine techniques,” Dr. Johnson notes. “He has developed expertise in using ultrasound to get the amniotic fluid and micro human tissue exactly where they need to be for the treatment to be the most effective. It is a very precise technique, and Mahendra does it well.”

JORDAN PYSZ / iFoundMyDoctor.com
Don can enjoy his music even more now that regenerative therapy has eased his back pain.

On a High Note

Don truly appreciates the comprehensive care he received from Dr. Johnson. “Dr. Johnson developed an entire treatment program for me that includes chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, nutrition counseling, ozone therapy and trigger point injections in addition to the regenerative therapy injection,” Don states. “I also perform special stretches and home exercises that the physical therapist mapped out for me.” Dr. Johnson reports that the treatment has sparked a healthy regeneration of the tissue in Don’s joints that has reduced his lower back pain and increased his mobility and function. “Based on how I feel, the regenerative therapy seems to be working,” Don notes. “The staff at Johnson Medical Center has a system for monitoring flexibility by putting sensors on your back and having you do range of motion exercises. “According to the test results and the way I feel, the program has definitely increased my flexibility. As a result, I am nowhere near the pain I was in before.” Maybe the biggest difference Don has noticed is his ability to resume his activities. “I recently played nine holes of golf riding in a cart,” he says. “A few days later, I was able to stand during the chorale rehearsals. I see this as an improvement in my quality of life. “Today, I can stand for a lot longer and walk a lot farther than before I received the regenerative therapy.” Don thinks highly of the provider and the staff at Johnson Medical Center. “I didn’t know anything about Dr. Johnson going in, but I found him to be a positive, forward-thinking, look-outside-the-box, caring individual,” Don raves. “He said, Let’s do this, and we’ll make it work. He’s very knowledgeable and is always seeking more knowledge to pass on to his patients. I’m very impressed with him. “The people Dr. Johnson hires have the same mindset as him. They’re all very positive. Everybody at the practice knows my name, and they’re really good to work with. It’s a pleasure to receive medical care like that. I highly recommend Dr. Johnson and Johnson Medical Center and already have to others.”