stem cell therapy

Regenerative injections for orthopedic, wound, and pain care

Offered in person near Bradenton and Ellenton, Florida. We evaluate whether you are a candidate and put the full cost in writing before you decide anything.

Important information about these therapies

  • These stem cell therapies have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  • You are encouraged to consult with your primary care provider before undergoing stem cell therapy.
  • Individual results vary. Nothing on this page is a promise or guarantee of any particular outcome.
  • Photographs on this site are illustrative. The individuals shown are models, not actual patients.

Orthopedics

Joint, tendon, and soft tissue concerns. We review your imaging first, and say so when a conventional route is the better option.

Wound care

Slow-healing and chronic wounds, assessed alongside standard treatment rather than in place of it.

Pain management

Persistent musculoskeletal pain, once conservative measures have been tried. We stay candid about what is realistic.

David Hervig, PA-C checking a blood pressure during an in-person evaluation at MBS Medicine
honest framing

What this therapy is, and what it is not

Cellular products introduced at or near the site of injury, with the goal of supporting the body's own repair processes. It is not approved by the FDA for these uses, not a substitute for standard medical or surgical care, and not appropriate for everyone. If your evaluation suggests you are unlikely to benefit, we will say so rather than sell you a treatment.

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What we consider, and what we do not treat

Stem cell therapy is offered only within the three areas Florida permits for therapies not approved by the FDA. Common reasons patients ask about it:

  • Knee, hip & shoulder joint pain
  • Tendon & soft tissue injury
  • Chronic musculoskeletal pain
  • Slow-healing & chronic wounds
  • Post-injury recovery support
  • Osteoarthritis-related joint pain

We do not offer stem cell therapy for neurological, autoimmune, cardiac, pulmonary, or developmental conditions, and we do not offer it as an anti-aging or longevity treatment. Anyone claiming stem cells can cure conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or autism is not describing treatment we provide or endorse. These therapies are not approved by the FDA, individual results vary, and no outcome is guaranteed.

product integrity

Where the cellular products come from

Florida sets strict limits on the sourcing and handling of cellular products, and we hold to them. Sourcing details for your specific treatment are disclosed to you in writing during the informed consent process, before anything is scheduled.

Permitted sourcing
Cellular products are limited to afterbirth placental perinatal stem cells, or to human cells and tissues retrieved, manufactured, and stored in facilities that are FDA-registered and nationally accredited.
Tissue never used
Human cells and tissues derived from a fetus or an embryo after an abortion are never used. Florida prohibits this practice outright, and we will confirm the source of the product used in your treatment as part of your written consent.
Viability testing
Products carry a post-thaw viability analysis confirming the presence of live cells. You may ask to see the documentation for the specific product used in your treatment.
Questions about a specific product
If you want the supplier, accreditation, and viability documentation for the exact product proposed for you, ask during your consultation and we will provide it in writing before you consent to treatment.
risks and consent

The risks, stated plainly

Every injection-based therapy carries risk, and an unapproved therapy deserves a more careful conversation, not a glossier one. The risks that apply to your specific situation are reviewed with you during informed consent, but the general picture belongs on this page, not behind a consultation.

Known risks of injection procedures
Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, and irritation of nearby tissue are recognized risks of injection procedures generally. Which of these apply to your treatment area, and any risks specific to your health history, are reviewed with you individually before you consent.
The possibility it does not help
A real risk of any unapproved therapy is that you spend money and time and see no meaningful improvement. We say this in writing because you should weigh it before you decide, not after.
What the consent document covers
The consent form describes the procedure, its risks, the results that can reasonably be anticipated, reasonable alternatives including conventional medical and surgical care, the therapy's FDA status, the source of the tissue, and the anticipated costs. It is written in plain language, and you sign it only after you have had the chance to ask questions.
Your right to slow down
You can take the consent form home, discuss it with your primary care provider, ask to speak with the supervising physician, or decline treatment at any point, including after you have signed. Nothing about the process is designed to hurry you.
plain english

The terms you will hear, defined honestly

Regenerative medicine marketing leans on technical terms that sound more settled than they are. Here is what the common ones actually mean, so you can evaluate any clinic's claims, including ours.

Stem cells and MSCs
The cells used in therapies like these are typically mesenchymal stromal cells, often marketed as stem cells. They are multipotent, meaning they can play a role in tissue-specific repair processes. They are not pluripotent, meaning they cannot become any cell type in the body. A clinic implying otherwise is misdescribing the biology.
Minimal manipulation and homologous use
These are the two FDA conditions, under 21 CFR Part 1271, that allow certain human cell and tissue products to be used without going through drug approval. Minimal manipulation means processing must not alter the tissue's relevant biological characteristics. Homologous use means the product must perform the same basic function in you that it performed in the donor. Products used outside those boundaries are regulated as drugs, which require FDA approval these therapies do not have.
What "not FDA approved" means here
It means these therapies have not been through the FDA's approval process for safety and effectiveness for any condition. It is not a technicality, and it is why the notice at the top of this page exists. Florida law permits licensed practitioners to offer these therapies within orthopedics, wound care, and pain management, with the disclosures you see on this page and in the consent process.
Questions worth asking any clinic
Where does the tissue come from, and can you show me the documentation? Who performs the injection, and who supervises? What happens if I see no improvement? Will you tell me if I am unlikely to benefit? Any clinic offering these therapies should answer all four in writing without hesitation. We do.
your care team

Who evaluates and treats you

Your injection is performed by David Hervig, PA-C, a Physician Assistant with over 34 years of experience and 12 years of service in the U.S. Army. Eric Folkens, MD serves as supervising physician for this service. Dr. Folkens is board certified in family medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine.

Verifying our licenses
You can verify any Florida practitioner's license through the Florida Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance online portal at mqa-internet.doh.state.fl.us. We encourage you to do so.
Level of physician oversight
Dr. Folkens provides medical direction and supervision for this service. He is not present on site for every appointment. If you would like to speak with the supervising physician before consenting to treatment, tell us and we will arrange it.
Independent health care information
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration publishes independent health care information for consumers at FloridaHealthFinder.gov. This information is available to you, and we encourage you to review it.
how it works

How treatment is decided

In-person evaluation

We review your history, imaging, prior treatments, and goals in person. Some patients leave this visit with a recommendation against stem cell therapy, and that is a legitimate outcome of an honest evaluation.

Written cost estimate and informed consent

You receive a good faith estimate of anticipated charges in writing, along with a detailed consent form covering risks, alternatives, anticipated results, the lack of FDA approval, and the source of the tissue. You are encouraged to discuss it with your primary care provider before signing.

Treatment and follow-up

If you choose to proceed, the injection is performed in person near Bradenton or Ellenton. We schedule follow-up to track your response honestly, including when the result is not what either of us hoped for.

Ready when you are

Let’s build your plan

In-person evaluation and treatment near Bradenton and Ellenton, Florida. Cash pay, with your full cost estimate in writing before you decide.

FAQ

More questions? Contact us.

Is stem cell therapy approved by the FDA?

No. The stem cell therapies offered here have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for these uses. Florida permits licensed practice of these therapies within orthopedics, wound care, and pain management, with written informed consent. You are encouraged to consult your primary care provider before undergoing treatment.

What does it cost?

Cost depends on the treatment area, the product used, and the number of injections, and we disclose those variables before quoting you. Because we are a cash pay practice, you receive a written good faith estimate of anticipated charges automatically when you schedule, and within three business days if you simply ask for one. If you ever overpay, the overpayment is refunded within 30 days of us determining it was made.

Do you guarantee results?

No, and you should be skeptical of any clinic that does. Individual results vary. We can tell you what the evaluation shows and what is realistic for your situation, but we do not promise outcomes, and we will tell you when we think you are unlikely to benefit.

Who is not a good candidate?

That is decided at the in-person evaluation, based on your history, imaging, and the specific problem you want addressed. Some patients are advised against stem cell therapy, whether because the evaluation suggests they are unlikely to benefit, because a conventional treatment is the better option, or because their condition falls outside the orthopedic, wound care, and pain management scope we practice within. A recommendation against treatment is a normal outcome here, not a failure of the visit.

What is treatment day like?

The injection itself is performed in person and the visit is typically brief. Aftercare instructions, activity guidance, and what to watch for afterward are covered with you at the visit and in writing, because they depend on the treatment area and your situation.

What does follow-up look like?

Follow-up visits are scheduled after treatment so your response can be tracked over the following weeks by the same care team. Your response is documented honestly, including when it is not what either of us hoped for, and anything resembling an adverse event is taken seriously and reported through the proper channels.

Are exosomes the same as stem cells?

No. Exosomes are tiny vesicles released by cells; they are not cells and they are not stem cell therapy. This page describes stem cell therapy only. Whatever product is proposed for you is identified specifically, in writing, during the informed consent process, so you always know exactly what you are receiving.

Do I have to come in person?

Yes. Unlike most of our services, stem cell therapy requires in-person evaluation and in-person treatment. It is available to patients who can travel to the Bradenton or Ellenton, Florida area.