Regenerative Medicine & How It Can Help You Heal Better with Dr. Whitman and Dr. Leo Running Expert

Mind Body Marathon

In this episode of the Mind Body Marathon, host Dr. Leo Running Expert, along with Dr. Matt Pisanelli and Dr. Alia Whitman, discuss regenerative medicine and its application in helping the body heal itself. They emphasize the importance of avoiding invasive procedures and harsh treatments like cortisone shots. Dr. Leah, who runs a practice focused on self-healing, explains her approach to regenerative techniques that promote healthy inflammation and provide essential nutrients for recovery.

Dr. Matt shares his recent injuries, including a hamstring tear and a stress fracture, and discusses how Dr. Leah's methods helped him. They detail the use of prolotherapy, which involves injecting glucose and other nutrients into the injured area to stimulate healing, along with ozone to reduce oxidative stress and enhance oxygenation for recovery.

In this discussion, the speakers share personal experiences and insights about injuries, particularly related to the Achilles tendon and the use of regenerative therapies like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and prolotherapy. Dr. Leo describes being born with fragile Achilles tendons, which worsened due to overuse and past injuries. They highlight the challenges associated with treating Achilles injuries, noting that while ultrasound can help locate precise areas for injection, traditional methods like cortisone shots often fail to address underlying issues and can weaken tissue.

The speakers discuss the challenges of managing injuries, specifically Achilles tendon issues, and the importance of allowing adequate downtime for healing after procedures like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and stem cell injections. They emphasize that while these treatments can trigger a healing response, the associated tissue may be weakened, necessitating a careful approach to recovery. They recommend a structured recovery plan that includes a week of rest followed by gradual reintegration of activity.

The conversation highlights the cost and complexity of stem cell treatments compared to more accessible options like prolotherapy and PRP. The speaker advocates for starting with less invasive, more affordable treatments before progressing to more expensive interventions, thus prioritizing patient well-being over financial gain.

The discussion also touches on the significance of understanding and managing fascia in injury recovery. The speakers argue that many patients could benefit from consistent fascial treatments rather than invasive procedures. They encourage patients to take an active role in their recovery by using tools for self-treatment and to develop a better understanding of their bodies.

The speakers emphasize the importance of gentle self-management techniques for muscle and tissue release, advising against heavy-handed approaches that can provoke a natural flinch response in the body. They advocate for a gradual, patient practice, particularly in fascial work, which differs from quick-fix treatments like PRP or microneedling. Microneedling is described as a procedure that uses tiny needles to stimulate collagen production for skin elasticity, but it requires time for results.

The discussion shifts to regenerative treatments, particularly bioallograft therapies, which involve the use of placental tissue to stimulate the body's healing processes. The speakers clarify that these are not stem cells but rather substances that signal the body to initiate repair by recruiting its own stem cells.

Finally, they touch on peptide treatments, which help stimulate healing in specific ways. The conversation underscores the importance of a holistic, patient-centered approach to injury recovery and healing.

The speaker discusses their practice, which includes offering homeopathic supplements and peptide infusions for various health conditions. They explain that homeopathy utilizes natural compounds, often from herbs, while compounding pharmacies isolate specific peptides for targeted treatments. The conversation then shifts to sex hormones, where the speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing foundational health issues—like gut health and adrenal function—before considering hormone replacement therapy. They caution that jumping straight to testosterone injections without addressing these underlying factors can lead to adverse effects.

The speaker also highlights the significance of vitamin D as a crucial hormone for overall health and hormone synthesis. They mention that some individuals may not effectively absorb vitamin D due to genetic factors and suggest starting with supplementation before resorting to more expensive genetic testing. Additionally, they discuss the role of magnesium in the body, recommending specific forms of magnesium for better absorption and addressing common deficiencies.

The conversation concludes with a focus on gut health, emphasizing its critical role in immune function and overall wellness. The speaker advocates for preconditioning the body before treatments, such as injections or medications, to optimize healing and recovery, and notes that many high-level athletes use shockwave therapy, which is not widely known.

In the discussion, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preparing the body before undergoing procedures like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections. They noted that many individuals who had the procedure did not adequately condition their bodies or follow post-treatment recovery guidelines, such as resting and avoiding strenuous activity. The speaker expressed concern that failing to rest increases the risk of injury.

To optimize healing, they recommended patients eliminate alcohol and sugar from their diets for at least two weeks before and after the procedure, as both can lead to inflammation. They also suggested reducing gluten and dairy intake temporarily to assess individual reactions, stressing the importance of a clean diet to support the healing process.

The speaker concluded by addressing typical patient concerns about post-procedure sensations, explaining that some achiness and fullness in the treated area is normal as the body responds to the treatment. Overall, the discussion aimed to provide actionable health management advice and encourage further engagement on the topic.