CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – At Regen Rx, there are many services and programs available to help with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.
The services they offer are innovative and many patients are not familiar with these procedures. A common question they encounter is the best way for new patients to enter the practice to experience these non-invasive regenerative medicine devices or minimally invasive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections without having to make a large time or financial commitment.
When scheduling, intake forms will be emailed to you which can be filled out conveniently online on your phone or other device before your first visit. Additionally, they send informational handouts outlining their services, and detailing what to expect.
The musculoskeletal intake process at Regen Rx is a combination of an evaluation and a therapeutic procedure session. Dr. Barrett explained: “Our procedures are unlike anything most patients have ever experienced. These aren’t simply generalized applications to an area of the body that is sore. These devices are not just the “set it and forget it” type. Shockwave, for example, is a very interactive experience and worth a more detailed explanation of what you will experience and what we expect from you.” How Shockwave works to alleviate pain, restore function, and regenerate tissue is complex and they ask you to refer to their website for a detailed description of those topics.
So, what does a musculoskeletal evaluation consist of at Regen Rx/Spine & Extremities Center?
At their practice, they will review your medical/surgical history, and medication list, and talk with you to get an understanding of the pain and dysfunction you experience and your goals and expectations.
As part of the musculoskeletal exam, a provider will use the Shockwave device diagnostically to assess for areas of soft-tissue pain and inflammation. Shockwave is a non-invasive procedure that uses focused mechanical pulses to target damaged, diseased, and pain-generating tissue. Patients undergoing a Shockwave procedure will be able to instantly feel when the Shockwave has targeted the pain-generating tissue. The exact sensation varies on many factors, such as the type of pain generator (tendon, ligament, fascia, bone, etc.), how chronic the process has been, the area of the body, etc. Many will describe it as a deep ache, in some tissues, it is sharper and more intense.
During your Shockwave session you will be in constant communication with your provider. They must know if the pulses are targeting the proper area. Dr. Barrett says “with focused Shockwave we are not just doing a generalized application to an area. You must be providing biofeedback so the provider can adjust the target and the intensity of the applied pulse. The sensation is uncomfortable but does not need to be intolerable to provide benefit. The target pain generator may be as small as a few millimeters and may need a very specific angle to properly dose the diseased tissue. We have found sometimes just a small inflection of the applicator can have the patient feeling nothing to suddenly feel this ache. The Shockwaves cause this discomfort when they hit unhealthy tissue. They do not generally cause pain in healthy tissue. So, it should become apparent that since Shockwave localizes diseased, pain-generating tissue it has great value when we are evaluating a patient.”
Dr. Barrett added: “What we have found is the best way to allow a patient to get to know the range of our services and the benefits of the medical devices and regenerative medicine options we offer is to have a procedure session included in the initial visit.”
Dr. Barrett continued: “There are several reasons for this. First, we know the anatomy and we use the Shockwave device to assess the areas that we believe are the root cause of the pain and with the patient’s feedback, we can localize the diseased tissue. We apply Shockwaves in a deliberate fashion using them as a diagnostic tool and not just as a general application to a sore area. Often a patient’s pain may feel like it involves a large area, but when we target certain tendons, ligaments, or fascial insertions we can show them that the pain-generating tissue may be very small but is referring pain to a larger area. If you only apply a treatment to the generalized area, you might get some temporary relief but if you miss the root cause then the problem will return.”
Dr. Barrett said that in their practice the patient’s own experience with receiving Shockwave answers more questions for them than any amount of explanation. “Patients just need to experience it and they will know the benefits. So many people with chronic pain have gotten a lot of hope and excitement with even just one Shockwave session after feeling the results. Their feedback at the second visit helps us to gauge their response and get a better idea of the dose and duration they may need. On the second visit, we will often do a trial of High Energy Inductive Therapy (HEIT) as well.
Lindsay Barrett, the patient care coordinator at Regen Rx explained how patients can establish themselves in their practice: “New patients will typically be seen with a two-session intake which includes the appropriate non-invasive procedures after consultation and examination with one of our doctors. This evaluation may also include a high-resolution diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound performed by Dr. Barrett. The sessions are about one week apart, which allows the patient to experience our procedures and our providers to properly assess the cause and treatment response of your pain. This helps determine the chance of success. On the second visit as you follow up and discuss your response to the first session, we will be able to give our service or program recommendation for you to consider. We have several options depending on your diagnosis including programs with our non-invasive medical devices and/or minimally invasive platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. These appointments are $350 for both. Insurance does not cover regenerative medicine services. This fee, however, will be credited towards one of our programs if you are a candidate and choose to continue. Many patients have satisfactory results with just these two sessions and in those cases, we just see them back as needed.”
Regen Rx offers non-invasive procedures for musculoskeletal care, prolotherapy with PRP, metabolic health options, and aesthetic services. New name. Same people. More services are brought to you by Regen Rx, previously known as Spine & Extremities Center.
Download the Regen Rx app, call or text the office at 814-227-5855 to schedule an appointment!
Available by Appointment:
Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Apple App Store: Regen RX App
Google Play Store: Regen RX App
More information can be found on their website at www.regenrxhealth.com
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