Oregon Regenerative Medicine

We are the biocellular therapy experts in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest region. Adipose Cell and Tissue Orthopedics is a powerful form of regenerative injection therapy and can be an effective alternative to major surgery and joint replacement procedures. In this procedure, we harvest adipose tissue that is rich in Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) from your own body in what is known as an adipose tissue graft. These specific cell fractions are located within your adipose bed, which serves to nurture and protect your repairative cell populations. This combination of pleuripotent cells, native tissue matrix, and bio-scaffolding act together to repair and regenerate affected tissues. Studies show that when combined with your own platelet rich plasma, these tissue products provide the potent combination of cytokines, cell signaling, and scaffolding necessary for MSCs to differentiate and repair the target injury. Your adipose tissue is the ideal harvest tissue for stem cells because the pluripotent cell concentration in your fat is at least 1000 times higher than it is in bone marrow aspirate. And unlike bone marrow, concentrations of stem cells in adipose remain robust even as we age. In fact, up to 45% of the nucleated cells within adipose tissue are pluripotent stem cells. Another advantage is that adipose grafts contain the full complement of matrix tissue fractions necessary for cartilage, ligament, tendon and fascia regeneration. Bone marrow contains very few of these matrix tissues. Therefore, your adipose tissue is the most ideal site for harvesting regenerative cells. The harvesting procedure is minimally invasive. Our modern clinic in Lake Oswego, Oregon, is renowned for its caring staff and comfort. From start to finish the procedure will take about 2.5 hours. First, a small ¼” incision is made in the skin and a patented tissue harvester is inserted and used to extract your adipose-derived tissues and cells. We then concentrate the the cells and tissue matrix and your platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The PRP and the stem cells are immediately injected (with ultrasound guidance) into your affected area: hip joint, knee joint, lumbar spine, shoulder, etc. Some post-treatment discomfort is normal and recovery can take several days.

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a powerful form of regenerative injection therapy that we have found effective in over 80% of acute and chronic sports and accidental injuries. We have extensive experience treating injuries to the hips and knees, ACL, meniscus tears, rotator cuff, elbows, wrists, hands, elbows, ankles, and feet. We are experts in the treatment of arthritis and chronic sprains and strains to the neck, ribs, low back, and sacroiliac spine. PRP Therapy for Musculoskeletal Injuries While platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be new to you, Dr. Peterson has been using it to support repair a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries for over 15 years. He has been instrumental in teaching PRP to physicians from every corner of North and South America. PRP has gained recognition as an accepted biologic tool in orthopedic regenerative medicine largely due to its success in helping elite and professional athletes, including the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Spain’s tennis star Rafael Nadal, the 76ers’ Andrew Bynum, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Hines Ward, the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez, Tiger Woods, and many others. PRP has a significant advantage over other potential therapies in that it is autologous, meaning that the cells used are harvested from the patient being treated. Within platelets are tiny alpha granules that release over 100 different cell-signaling molecules, including growth factors, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). As the concentration of platelets rises, the amount of growth factor increases linearly. PRP Works for Acute and Chronic Injuries Use of PRP reactivates tissue repair cycles, promoting repair of both acute and chronic injuries, reducing pain and enhancing function. PRP also stimulates chondrocytes (cartilage) repair, cartilage proliferation and matrix biosynthesis.

Prolotherapy (AKA Regenerative Injection Therapy) is a non-surgical injection procedure for promoting repair of damaged connective tissue. Your prolotherapy treatment begins by anesthetizing the area of injury, followed by the local injection of a safe and natural proliferative agent directly into the area of dysfunction, injury, and weakness. Prolotherapy injections induce a wound repair cascade, which stimulates your body to marshal its innate repair mechanisms. Prolotherapy has proven to be a highly effective treatment for acute and chronic pain from back and neck injuries. It is effective for mild-to-severe osteoarthritis and injuries to the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, foot, and ankle. Unlike cortisone injections, which permanently weaken connective tissue, prolotherapy restores normal strength, elasticity, and function to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and other connective tissues.

The Ketamine-Assisted Somatic Mindfulness (KASM) Program offers a unique approach to healing that combines the transformative effects of ketamine with the grounding practice of somatic mindfulness. Developed specifically for our clinic by Dr. Kristian Flores, MD, ND, and Ivonne Flores, a skilled Somatic Mindfulness Facilitator, the KASM Program invites patients into a supportive environment to explore a new path toward relief and self-discovery. Through careful facilitation and a structured treatment plan, KASM empowers patients to unlock their own healing potential, addressing complex conditions like chronic pain, PTSD, and post-acute COVID syndrome. The KASM Program Jump to Section: What is Ketamine? What is Somatic Mindfulness? What is Ketamine-Assisted Somatic Mindfulness? What conditions may benefit from KASM Therapy? The KASM Treatment Program What is Ketamine? Ketamine is a relatively safe medication that has been used clinically for over 50 years, namely as an anesthetic. Recent advances in the use of Ketamine have been remarkable including its use to treat various conditions that are typically refractory to many conventional treatments, including conditions such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and even Post-Acute COVID Syndrome (“Long-COVID”). Ketamine acts primarily as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker. Typically, the NMDA receptor acts to release the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, which stimulates neuronal activity. Ketamine blocks this receptor thus decreasing excitatory neuronal activity, most notably in the Prefrontal Cortex and the Hippocampus. It is thought that the direct decrease in neuronal activity that occurs from Ketamine use is relatively short lived, lasting a few hours at most. Of course, the mechanisms by which ketamine affects the neuronal pathways that govern cognition, chronic pain, mood, and other autonomic nervous system processes are multi-faceted and complex (including effects on GABA-A, GABA-B, and mTOR among others). What occurs because of this blockade varies significantly based on where in the brain the blockade occurs. In certain areas of the brain the blockade is followed by a surge in the excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate. This surge is thought to be responsible for an increase in factors that promote the growth of synapses, thus reversing damage that can occur due to chronic stress and depression. This surge of glutamate induces a surge in serotonin and noradrenaline. Significant decreases in serotonin are thought to be associated with the persistent neuro-cognitive symptoms in Long COVID (brain fog, fatigue, depression, attention deficit, etc.). In the Hippocampus, the NMDA block results in decreased activity in channels that are used to access traumatic memories and recall feelings of stress. This is thought to be the main mechanism by which ketamine aids with PTSD symptoms. Still, in other areas of the brain the blockade can result in a “reset” phenomenon of the central nervous system. The therapeutic effects in this instance are most associated with a blockade of central mechanisms of sensitization that can be found in pain patterns such as complex regional pain syndrome. What is Somatic Mindfulness? Somatic Mindfulness is the practice of focusing attention on the present experience while listening to what your body is trying to convey. While the practice involves focusing on sensations within your body, the emphasis is trying to maintain a present focus without allowing the physiological sensations of an overly stimulated nervous system to be the center of your attention. The focus is to create a grounded space to observe and connect with what your body is trying to tell you. The invitation of this practice is to allow the body to be heard. What is Ketamine-Assisted Somatic Mindfulness? The Ketamine journey itself is powerful but works best when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. For this reason, we created the Ketamine Assisted Somatic Mindfulness (KASM) Treatment Program. The goal in pairing Ketamine treatment with Somatic Mindfulness is to allow our patients to derive the greatest benefit from the experience by approaching the treatment with intention while our facilitators hold a supportive space.

With over 30 years of experience in Bio-Identical hormones, we use the most up-to-date lab tests to diagnose specific hormone imbalances in testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, adrenal, and pituitary hormones. Many non-toxic therapies are available to restore healthy hormone balance. We have specialized in testosterone pellet implants for over 10 years. Conditions treated include andropause, menopause, PMS, chronic fatigue, metabolic aging, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and weight gain. Please click on the links below for our related articles: Answering the Estrogen Question – Supplementing with estrogen can prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, & Alzheimer’s, as well as help relieve menopausal depression, also decrease the risk of breast cancer – learn about our personalized treatment options, including a risk assessment tailored to you. Optimum Testosterone Levels Give Men the Mental Edge – We know that optimal levels of the male sex hormone testosterone can play an important role in muscle strength, sexual function, and cardiovascular health in men, especially as they age. Testosterone also improves the function of the brain, and may even help to protect against age-related dementia. Large Scale Study Links Depression to Low Testosterone – The male hormone testosterone may keep men happy in more ways than one. Besides enhancing sex drive, we know that testosterone helps build muscle mass, preserves bone strength, lowers cholesterol, improves mental performance. Now a new study has revealed that men with lower levels of bioavailable testosterone are much more prone to depression as they age. Low Testosterone in Men: Andropause is More Common Than You Think – Andropause occurs in men when there is a steep decline in the anabolic hormones testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Read on for the symptoms to watch out for as well as the best methods of treatment. The Sexuality of Women – Soul Connection, A Healthy Body & the Desire to Make It Happen: exploring the world of female sexuality, and learning about how to treat sexual dysfunction. Fatigue, Body Temperature and Thyroid Disease – Discovering the link between chronic fatigue/low body temperature with the inability to convert the thyroid hormone T4 into T3 (known as Wilson’s syndrome), and how we can treat it.

We offer many different types of treatments to address your concerns. Our goal is to enhance your healthy glow and create a natural appearance. Treatment options include: Aesthetic Arts Improve skin texture with Microneedling We can induce the production of growth factors to increase collagen and elastin in your skin with the Exceed Microneedling device. We add PRP to the hyaluronic acid serum to enhance the treatment effect, resulting in a healthy, hydrated glow. Reduce wrinkles with Dysport When facial muscles contract with our expressions, you develop creases in your skin. Neuromodulator compounds relax muscles and therefore, reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Enhance Volume with hyaluronic acid As we age we lose structural support in our face, which causes our skin to sag. We can increase the volume with natural products like hyaluronic acid and then support ligaments with PRP. Restore Hair Loss with PRP If you struggle with thinning hair, you may be a great candidate for injections to stimulate hair regrowth. PRP promotes healthy follicle activity, which can stimulate new hair growth and improve the thickness of existing hair.

We have been practicing functional medicine in Lake Oswego since 1978. Our mission is to address the underlying causes of illness and restore normal function. We know that nutrition is the foundation to healing and that a natural and condition-specific diet opens the door to health. We assess each individual with appropriate lab testing, physical evaluation, and a detailed history to gain a clear understanding of current health issues. We then create treatment plans and options that are tailored to each individual. Our treatments are evidence-based and proven effective, both by modern science and traditional healing wisdom. Our holistic approach to health respects the vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature. Therapies may include Botanical Medicine, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Homeopathy, Prolotherapy, PRP Therapies, and more. Functional Medicine therapies are as follows: Bio-identical Hormone and Testosterone Digestive and Metabolic Health Weight Loss Please click on the links below for our related articles: GMO’s, Labeling, and Processed Foods: Separating Truth From Fiction – From definitions to dyes to GMO labels, people need the facts to make the best nutritional choices. In this article, we explore what we know and help unravel some of the confusion. Lifestyle Changes can Prevent or Even Reverse Prostate Cancer – Examining how changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, and how we can implement a treatment regimen that could help save a life. The Sexuality of Women – Cultivating and enhancing healthy sexuality with herbal medicine, homeopathy, cleanse and detoxification programs, nutritional support, and bio-identical hormone replacement therapies. Revolutionize Your Diet: Turning Healthy Food Choices into a Permanent Lifestyle Change – Customizing a diet for someone entails many factors, read on for a few of these factors. Allergies: Try These Natural Cures – Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to an otherwise innocuous substance, and our naturopathic treatment strives to find the cause and to treat symptoms with treatments that do not cause side effects.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD, or Long COVID symptoms, a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) could offer relief by helping to reset your nervous system. This cutting-edge, ultrasound-guided procedure targets a cluster of nerves in the neck that play a key role in the body’s stress response. By temporarily blocking these nerves, the SGB can help restore balance and reduce symptoms associated with an overactive fight-or-flight system. At Oregon Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Kristian Flores, MD, ND, specializes in advanced interventional treatments like the Stellate Ganglion Block, offering expert care tailored to your unique needs. Keep reading to learn how this procedure works, what to expect, and whether it could be right for you. What is the stellate ganglion? What is a Stellate Ganglion Block? How does the Stellate Ganglion Block work? What can I expect? How many treatments will I need? How long does the procedure take? How will I feel afterwards? Do I need to rest after an SGB? How long will it take until I see results? Who can benefit from a Stellate Ganglion Block? Why choose Oregon Regenerative Medicine for my Stellate Ganglion Block? What is the Stellate Ganglion? The stellate ganglia are clusters of nerve and nerve fibers located deep in your neck that play a vital role in governing the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system, also known as the “fight-flight-or-fright” system, regulates involuntary cellular functions such as body temperature, blood flow, immunity, organ function, digestion, pain responses and other processes during times of stress. The stellate ganglia are the interface between the memory center in the hippocampus, that protects us by imprinting emotionally or physically dangerous or painful stimuli so that we avoid them in the future. This imprint of fear and pain can be replayed by the hippocampus, over and over, from even minor benign stimuli, recreating the physiological response to the original painful stimuli. [The term “stellate” means star-shaped, though the stellate ganglion is most commonly oval in form.] What is a Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB)? The Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is a precise, ultrasound-guided anesthetic injection into the fascia of the longus colli muscle overlying the C6 cervical vertebrae. the long-lasting anesthetic is slow released into the ganglia over 8 hours, bathing the stellate ganglia long enough to turn off the replay of painful stimuli. How Does the Stellate Ganglion Block Work? The SGB works by “resetting” the interface between the hippocampus and the sympathetic nervous system. When these nerves are numbed (or blocked) by the anesthetic solution, they temporarily stop functioning, allowing them to reboot and return to their normal state. This reset can help alleviate conditions driven by the overactivation of the fight-or-flight response. The nerves are numbed by injecting an anesthetic solution which allows them to reboot and return to their normal state. What Can I Expect? Number of Treatments: Typically, at least two treatments are recommended given that the ganglia are located on both the right and left side of the neck and can only be blocked one side at a time (for theoretical safety reasons). Duration of Treatment: The procedure itself takes approximately 30 minutes; however, the injection itself lasts approximately 2-3 minutes. After the injection, you will rest comfortably in one of our reclining chairs for 20-30 minutes so we can monitor your response and ensure the desired outcome. How Will I Feel Afterwards? Some temporary side effects may occur, including: Symptoms of Horner’s syndrome, such as a droopy eyelid and pupil constriction on the side of the injection Hoarseness A sensation of feeling “out of sorts” It is common to experience symptoms of Horner’s syndrome after a Stellate Ganglion Block. On the left side of this patient’s face, the side where the needle was inserted, you can see the decreased aperture (droopy eyelid) and some redness. Do I Need to Rest After an SGB? Yes, we recommend allowing time for the sympathetic system to reset for the remainder of the day, including minimizing excess stress and stimulation. How Long Before I Know if It’s Working? The response to the SGB can be highly variable, though most individuals recognize effects anywhere from almost immediately to over the course of the first week and beyond. Who Can Benefit from a Stellate Ganglion Block? Individuals experiencing the following conditions may benefit from SGB: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Long COVID (e.g., brain fog, fatigue, POTS, anxiety, loss of smell or taste) Anxiety A variety of Chronic and Neuropathic Pain Conditions

Regenerative Medicine uses non-surgical injection procedures to promote repair of damaged tendons, ligaments and joints. Our regenerative and biological treatments include Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma PRP, and Stem Cell Therapies. These treatments enhance the natural cycles of repair in chronically injured joints, ligaments and tendons. Regenerative injections are an effective treatment for all manner of acute and chronic back and neck pain, as well as osteoarthritis and injuries to the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, foot and ankle. For our patients who have been told that their only solution is surgery or a life on pain medications, the vast majority have been able to achieve drug-free, pain-free function without surgery or joint replacement. At Oregon Regenerative Medicine, we use stem cells that are harvested from your own adipose tissue. Unlike embryonic stem cells, these adult stem cells contained in your adipose tissue are approved by the FDA for research and treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Adult adipose tissue is the most abundant source of stem cells in the human body, and has shown great promise in the treatment of a host of conditions. Regenerative Medicine therapies are as follows: Prolotherapy Platelet Rich Plasma Stem Cells Please click on the links below for our related articles: Stem Cell Therapy as an Alternative to Joint Replacement Surgery: Are You the Right Candidate? – Stem Cells, when combined with Platelet Rich Plasma, offer you the best alternative to hip and knee joint replacement. Prolotherapy: An Innovative Treatment That can Heal Joints When Other Treatments Fail – Prolotherapy injections heal by stimulating a wound repair cascade, which restarts your body’s innate repair mechanisms, and can result in permanent repair of damaged connective tissue. Depending on your injury, the addition of platelet rich plasma or stem cell therapy can add powerful regenerative healing properties to your Prolotherapy treatment. Old Man Knees – A Testomonial to Prolotherapy – How a 23 year old with “old man knees” was successfully treated with Prolotherapy and is now pain free. PRP Meniscus Tear Success Story – Told by her orthopedic surgeon that she would need surgery for her meniscus tear, Marianne came to Dr. Peterson and was able to heal and avoid surgery with Prolotherapy. Arthritis of the Neck and Spine: Prolotherapy and PRP to the Rescue – Arthritis of the neck and spine is treatable. Prolotherapy and PRP for neck arthritis provides relief to most of the people willing to give it a try. Additional Research and Articles on Regenerative Medicine – Includes links to research and outside articles in the area of Regenerative Medicine. Prolotherapy Most Effective for Sacroiliac Pain – One of the most common causes of low back pain is Sacroiliac sprain, and with over 30 years of experience, Prolotherapy and PRP injections continue to be the most effective and definitive treatment. Healing Shoulders with Prolotherapy and PRP – We evaluate 16 case studies of rotator cuff injuries, the most common type of shoulder injury, to see how they personally responded to Prolotherapy and PRP. Arthritis and Knee Pain: the Best Solution is Not Drugs or Surgery – Osteoarthritis of the knee is a worrisome problem for millions of Americans, and the pharmaceutical giants know it. While effective non-drug and non-surgical treatments for knee pain like Prolotherapy and Platelet Rich Plasma PRP get little media attention, the are incredibly effective at treating it without relying on surgery, which is inconvenient and require a long healing time, or pain medication to cover up symptoms. Regenerative Injection Therapy with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) – Since 1999, when Dr. Noel Peterson began treating patients with Prolotherapy in Portland and Lake Oswego, Oregon, he has had the opportunity to integrate the latest prolotherapy techniques and innovations into his practice. One of these innovations is the use of Platelet Rich Plasma matrix grafts, or PRP for short.

Nutritive Intravenous Therapy involves receiving high potency formulations though an IV, all while comfortably ensconced in our IV Therapy room with views of our gorgeous park-surrounded location. This therapy can quickly restore vitamin and mineral deficiencies and is helpful in many conditions: asthma, chronic and acute illnesses, Mononucleosis, EBV, Lyme disease, relentless stress, travel fatigue, viral illness, strenuous physical activities, toxic chemical exposures, and many more.