Why Regenerative Therapies Belong in Chiropractic Practices
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Chiropractic practices sit on the front line of musculoskeletal care. Every day, chiropractors manage patients with osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, ligament injuries, and spine-related conditions, patients who are actively seeking conservative, non-surgical solutions.
During a recent APEX Biologix educational webinar, Dr. David Zamakoff and Dr. Ariana DeMers explored why autologous regenerative therapies, particularly platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are a natural extension of chiropractic care - not a departure from it.
Chiropractic Care and Regenerative Medicine: A Natural Alignment
Chiropractic patients are an ideal population for regenerative approaches. These individuals often present with mechanical dysfunction and underlying tissue compromise; ligaments, tendons, fascia, cartilage, or muscle that may not fully respond to structural correction alone.
As discussed in the webinar, integrating chiropractic adjustments with biologic tissue support allows clinicians to address the full spectrum of musculoskeletal dysfunction:
- Mechanical alignment and functional movement
- Biologic support for injured or degenerative tissue
Regenerative therapies do not replace chiropractic care; they enhance it by supporting natural tissue repair in areas affected by age, prior injury, or chronic overload.
Identifying PRP Candidates in a Chiropractic Practice
One of the most consistent takeaways from the discussion was that chiropractors do not need to look outside their existing patient base to identify candidates for PRP.
Common presentations already seen in chiropractic clinics include:
- Degenerative joint conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis)
- Chronic tendinopathies
- Ligamentous instability
- Spine-related musculoskeletal pain
- Shoulder, knee, and extremity complaints
Once the clinical role and mechanism of PRP are clearly understood, identifying appropriate patients becomes intuitive. The webinar emphasized education as the foundation for successful clinical integration and adoption.
How PRP Fits Into Chiropractic Workflow
A key topic addressed during the webinar was how PRP can be incorporated without disrupting the chiropractic identity or workflow of a practice.
- Integrate PRP by scheduling licensed medical providers (NP, MD, or DO) to be on-site one to two days per week specifically for injection services
- Align injection days with patient demand to maintain efficient clinic flow and minimize operational disruption
Injection Logistics and Scope Considerations
Within the broader procedural care pathway, regardless of who performs the injections, chiropractors remain integral to PRP-based care by:
- Evaluating and identifying candidates
- Coordinating interdisciplinary treatment plans
- Delivering post-procedural rehab and ongoing chiropractic care
Injection pathways discussed included:
- Employing or contracting with a nurse practitioner
- Partnering with a local medical injector (NP/PA, MD, or DO)
- Using a referral-based, closed-loop model where patients return to the chiropractic practice for continued care
Each model allows the chiropractor to remain the clinical “quarterback,” maintaining continuity and leadership in patient management.
PRP Processing: Why Consistency Matters
The webinar also highlighted why PRP processing methodology matters clinically. Variability in platelet concentration, leukocyte content, and reproducibility can influence how PRP is used across different tissues and conditions.
Modern, standardized processing systems allow clinicians to:
- Customize leukocyte-rich or leukocyte-poor PRP
- Reproduce consistent biologic outputs
This level of control supports evidence-guided decision-making rather than one-size fits-all approaches.
Patient Experience and Clinical Integration
Patients often perceive PRP as a natural extension of conservative care. As discussed in the webinar:
- PRP procedures are performed in an outpatient setting with minimal disruption to daily activity
- Most patients can resume chiropractic care quickly with only brief, minor modifications
- For chiropractors, PRP integrates seamlessly into existing care plans, adding a biologic layer without disrupting clinic workflow or patient flow
Moving Forward With Confidence
A recurring theme throughout the session was that chiropractors do not need to have every detail solved before exploring regenerative options. The most common barrier is not skepticism, it is uncertainty around logistics, scope, and implementation.
Educational pathways, structured workflows, and collaborative injector models allow practices to move forward intentionally and compliantly, at a pace that fits their structure and state regulations.
Continuing the Education
This webinar is part of APEX Biologix’s broader commitment to clinician education. The full on-demand session, along with additional regenerative medicine resources, is available through the APEX Biologix Resource Library, a registration-based platform designed for healthcare professionals seeking practical, evidence-guided education.
Clinicians can access the recorded, on demand by clicking here: Why Regenerative Therapies Belong in Chiropractic Practices.
References
DeMers A, Zamakoff D. Why regenerative therapies belong in chiropractic practices. Educational webinar. APEX Biologix; 2026.
