Regenerative & Injection Care

Regenerative Medicine in Spokane & Medical Lake

Regenerative medicine harnesses the body’s own healing ability to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain — without surgery. At Essential Health Group in Medical Lake, Dr. Christopher Wellwood NP-C, DC, MSN is the only dual-licensed provider in the region with extensive training in all major Regenerative Injection Techniques. We serve patients across Spokane County from our Medical Lake, WA clinic. Our treatments are so effective that Dr. Wellwood teaches seminars and sells courses to other physicians on best practice methods.

● VA & TriCare Accepted    ● Non-Surgical Treatments    ● Medical Lake, WA

Areas we treat

Neck & Spine
Shoulders
Hips
✓ Elbows
✓ Wrists & Hands
Knees
✓ Ankles & Feet
✓ Sports Injuries
✓ Chronic Pain & Inflammation

What is regenerative medicine

Replacing Dysfunctional Tissue. Restoring Normal Function.

Regenerative medicine deals with the process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. As we age, healthy tissue becomes dysfunctional and deteriorates — and the body’s natural healing processes slow down. Regenerative medicine directly addresses this by introducing a human cell and tissue product (HCT/P) by injection to the problem area, targeting degenerated tissue and rebuilding it back to a normal state. In effect, your damaged cells are being regenerated and made whole again.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP concentrates the healing platelets and growth factors from your own blood and injects them into the injured joint, tendon, or ligament to accelerate repair. Because it uses your own biology, PRP is a popular option for knee, shoulder, and tendon injuries — and is often combined with prolotherapy or prolozone for stronger, longer-lasting results.

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy introduces a solution directly into damaged ligaments and soft tissue to stimulate the body’s natural repair response. It is proven effective in many instances and has been used successfully at our practice as both a standalone and combination treatment. Dr. Wellwood is trained in advanced prolotherapy techniques and uses it as part of coordinated injection protocols.

Prolozone (Ozone Therapy)

Prolozone combines ozone with prolotherapy techniques to reduce inflammation, improve oxygen delivery to damaged tissue, and accelerate healing. Recent studies show prolozone delivers similar or better results than traditional prolotherapy in many cases, with the added benefit of reduced discomfort during the procedure. Dr. Wellwood has extensive experience in prolozone injection therapy. More on our ozonated therapies →

Perineural Injection Therapy

Perineural injection therapy targets damaged peripheral nerves that are generating pain signals. By injecting a dextrose solution around the affected nerves, the therapy reduces neurogenic inflammation and normalises nerve function. Dr. Wellwood is one of the few providers in the region trained in this advanced technique, which is particularly effective for chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments.

About our products

Safe, Tested, and FDA-Compliant Products

Our human cell and tissue materials come from the umbilical cords of healthy, full-term deliveries. Our products do not contain any fetal or embryonic tissue. All products are rigorously tested to FDA guidelines in a CLIA certified lab, and thousands of patients have used these tissue allografts with no adverse effects.

The procedures do not require any invasive surgery, resulting in less pain and shorter procedure times than traditional surgical interventions. Most treatments can be completed in a single office visit, with your specific treatment plan determined at your initial consultation.

What to expect

✓  Initial consultation & personalised treatment plan
✓  Non-surgical, injection-based procedures
✓  Most treatments completed in one office visit
✓  FDA-guideline tested, CLIA certified products
✓  No fetal or embryonic tissue used
✓  Recovery time varies by condition & severity
✓  Combination protocols available
✓  Ongoing monitoring & follow-up care

A coordinated plan

Better Results: Injections Paired With Rehabilitation

Regenerative injections work best as part of a coordinated plan — not a standalone shot. At Essential Health Group, your regenerative treatment is paired with physical therapy and chiropractic care, so the tissue we help heal is also strengthened and protected. That is the advantage of our non-surgical, integrated model: one team, one plan, one place. It is also why regenerative medicine at our clinic tends to deliver more durable results than an injection alone.

Cost & Insurance

✓  Coverage varies by insurer and plan
✓  PRP is covered by some plans; prolotherapy & ozone often are not
✓  We review your options at your consultation
✓  Regenerative care usually costs far less than surgery
✓  VA & TriCare accepted

Common questions

Regenerative Medicine FAQs

How does regenerative medicine work?

A human cell and tissue product is administered by injection to the problem area. It targets degenerated tissue and helps rebuild it back to a normal, functional state. Younger people typically heal faster — but regenerative medicine is effective for all ages, and is particularly valuable for helping younger athletes recover from injury faster.

Does the procedure hurt?

The products do not require any invasive procedures, resulting in less pain and shorter procedure times compared to surgical options. Specific details will be provided at your consultation when we propose your personalised treatment plan.

When will I feel the benefits?

Recovery time varies depending on the severity of your condition and your personal health. At your consultation we will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and over what timeline. Many patients begin to notice improvement within weeks of their first treatment.

Why not stem cells?

Stem cell injections — harvested from your own fat or bone marrow — show around 60% improvement overall, but at $2,500–$5,000 per injection area they are cost-prohibitive for most patients. We continuously review the latest literature and will offer stem cell therapy when it becomes a consistently good option for both cost and efficacy.

Is regenerative medicine covered by insurance?

Coverage varies by insurer and plan. Some plans cover certain regenerative injections while prolotherapy and ozone often are not. We will help you understand your options at your consultation — and remember, a treatment that helps you avoid surgery usually costs far less than the surgical alternative.

Can regenerative medicine help me avoid surgery?

In many cases, yes. For a wide range of joint, tendon, and ligament conditions, regenerative injections paired with rehabilitation can relieve pain and restore function without surgery. We always give an honest assessment and will refer you for a surgical opinion if that is genuinely the right path.

Is PRP better than a cortisone shot?

They work differently. Cortisone reduces inflammation temporarily but can weaken tissue with repeated use. PRP and other regenerative injections aim to support real tissue repair for longer-lasting relief — which makes a regenerative approach the better long-term choice for many chronic joint and tendon problems.

How many treatments will I need?

It depends on the condition, its severity, and how long you have had it. Some patients do well after one or two sessions; others benefit from a short series. You will receive a clear, personalised plan and timeline at your initial consultation.

Ready to Start Healing From the Inside Out?

Whether you’re dealing with chronic joint pain, a sports injury, or tissue damage that hasn’t responded to conventional treatment, our regenerative medicine team will assess your condition and build a personalised treatment plan. As a VA-preferred provider, we welcome veterans and patients from all walks of life.

Medical Lake, WA  ·  (509) 299-6900  ·  Non-Surgical Pain Relief

Further Reading — Regenerative Medicine