Choosing the right Regenerative Medicine Doctor is very important and serious consideration should be made when choosing a doctor to perform any Regenerative Medicine procedure. Regenerative Medicine injection procedures involves a level of experience and training the same as any other specialized medical procedures. When choosing a Regenerative Medicine Doctor there are different factors that need to be taken into consideration:

1. Experience:
   How long has the doctor been practicing Regenerative Medicine? Is the doctor recently out of school and if so, how long have they been practicing Regenerative Medicine. As with any skill, Regenerative Joint Injection procedures improve over time when practiced on a regular basis. There is no substitute for experience.
   What other experience does the doctor have to treat musculoskeletal painful conditions?
   Does the doctor have more than one degree related to the treating pain such as chiropractic, acupuncture, physical therapy or orthopedic medicine?

2. Training/Credentials:
   Regenerative Medicine is a skill that requires a knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics of the body. Where did the doctor receive their training in Regenerative Medicine? Did they simply read a book and attend one (1) seminar or have they consistently attended professional organizations dedicated to the teaching and training of Regenerative Medicine. Post Graduate Professional Organizations that offer Regenerative Medicine training include American Association of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM), The American Osteopathic Association of Prolotherapy Regenerative Medicine (AOAPRM) and The Hackett-Hemwell Foundation. The doctor should be able to easily provide this level of training when requested. Ask when the doctor last attended any level of professional training.
   Certified in Regenerative Medicine: Is the doctor certified in any type of Regenerative Medicine?
   The American Association of Orthopedic Medicine Certifies doctors in Prolotherapy based on their training and years of experience. Is the doctor Certified in Prolotherapy?

3. How much of the practice is devoted to Regenerative Medicine?
   How much of the doctor’s practice is devoted to Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation? A practice that performs primarily aesthetic procedures such as botox, fillers and facials and some Regenerative Medicine Procedures will have a different emphasis than a practice primarily devoted to Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation. It is felt by the author that the practice of Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation should be over 70 % of the practice for the doctor to stay current and proficient in their skills.

4. Other Pain Rehabilitation Services Offered?
   Because pain can have many different origins, does the doctor provide more than one way to treat pain? Different Regenerative Medicine Teaching organizations teach more than one way to treat pain that may include Prolotherapy, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Neural Therapy, Trigger Point Therapy, Stem Cell and Prolozone. Based on each individual’s pain condition, it is helpful to have different approaches to treat their specific pain condition.

5. What Do Regenerative Medicine Procedures Cost?
   Regenerative Medicine Procedures can vary in cost depending on the type of Regenerative Medicine performed and the number of areas treated (low back, knees, shoulder, etc.) and the qualifications of the doctor administering it. Regenerative Medicine should be administered by a physician specializing in Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation. When comparative cost shopping, be wary of anyone claiming to be a Regenerative Medicine Specialist that advertises unusually low sounding rates or discounted fees. Ask yourself what you have paid previously when visiting a specialist for other conditions and use that as a guideline.

Dr. Fred Arnold is the owner and medical director of Scottsdale Pain Rehabilitation and Wellness. He has been practicing Prolotherapy and Regenerative Medicine procedures for 15 years and practiced as a Chiropractor for 16 years. He trained with Dr. Kent Pomeroy, MD for 2 1/2 years until his death in 2012 and attends numerous Post Graduate Training courses in Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation on an ongoing basis. The majority of his practice, approximately 70%, is devoted to Regenerative Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation. He is one of the few doctors in the nation Certified in Prolotherapy by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine. Specializing in Pain Rehabilitation, Dr. Arnold also provides other pain services such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), Prolozone, Neural Therapy, Stem Cell Therapies, Perineural Injection Therapy (Neural Prolotherapy), and Trigger Point Therapy. He is also a Fellow of the American Association of Ozonotherapy (FAAO) and he has completed his Fellowship in Anti-Aging & Functional Medicine