Led by Nikki Vanicek, Acupuncturist for the Minnesota Twins

• What It Is: A time-tested therapeutic practice that involves the insertion of extremely thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to modulate pain and promote healing. We are proud to have this service led by Nikki Vanicek, a highly sought-after practitioner and the official acupuncturist for the Minnesota Twins professional baseball team.

• Primary Benefits for Pain:

  • Provides significant relief for chronic low back pain, neck pain, and osteoarthritis.

  • Reduces the frequency and severity of tension headaches and migraines.

  • Effectively manages neuropathic pain and pain associated with fibromyalgia.

• How It Works (The Science): Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. It also modulates the nervous system, helping to down-regulate overactive pain signals in the spinal cord and brain. Furthermore, it has been shown to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, directly targeting the inflammatory component of many chronic pain conditions.

• [H4] Evidence-Based Efficacy

  • A landmark meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine, which pooled data from nearly 18,000 patients, concluded that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of chronic pain and is a reasonable referral option for doctors.

  • A 2018 review by the Cochrane Collaboration found that acupuncture reduced the frequency of headaches by 50% or more in about half of the individuals treated, with effects that can persist long-term.

  • Research in Practical Pain Management has highlighted acupuncture's role in treating neuropathy by improving nerve conduction and supporting nerve regeneration.

• Important Safety Information: Acupuncture is extremely safe when performed by a licensed and experienced practitioner like Nikki Vanicek. All needles are sterile and single-use.

Photobiomodulation (PBM) with Green Light Therapy

• What It Is: The therapeutic use of specific wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation, accelerate tissue healing, and modulate pain signals.

• How It Helps Pain: Red and near-infrared light are absorbed by mitochondria, boosting energy production (ATP) in damaged cells and powerfully reducing inflammatory markers, which helps heal tissues at the source of the pain.

• A Special Focus: Green Light Therapy

  • Our protocols also include a unique focus on Green Light Therapy, a non-invasive modality pioneered by researchers at the University of Arizona. Their groundbreaking studies have shown that daily exposure to a specific, narrow band of green light can have profound pain-relieving effects. In clinical studies, this therapy has been shown to:

    • Significantly reduce the pain intensity and frequency associated with fibromyalgia, leading to improved quality of life.

    • Decrease the number of headache days per month for individuals suffering from chronic migraine.

    • Reduce the need for opioid medication following surgical procedures.

  • The science suggests that green light works centrally by modulating pain-processing centers in the brain and spinal cord, increasing the body's own pain-relieving molecules (endogenous opioids) and calming over-sensitized neural pathways.

• Important Safety Information: PBM and Green Light Therapy are non-invasive and very safe. Protective eyewear is used during sessions.

Class 4 Laser Therapy

• What It Is: A high-powered, non-invasive laser therapy that delivers a therapeutic dose of light energy to deeper tissues.

• How It Helps Pain: The intense light energy penetrates deep to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and accelerate repair in joints, muscles, and nerves. We utilize advanced, proprietary protocols with our Class 4 Laser to treat a range of difficult conditions, including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and neuropathic pain.

• Important Safety Information: This is a safe, effective therapy administered by our trained clinical team.

EWOT, PEMF, & NanoVi

• What It Is: A trio of technologies designed to support the cellular health compromised in chronic pain states.

• How They Help Pain:

  • Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT): By increasing oxygenation, EWOT helps break cycles of chronic inflammation and provides a vital energy boost to combat the fatigue that accompanies pain.

  • Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy: PEMF helps "recharge" cells, reduce systemic inflammation, and improve circulation, creating a better healing environment.

  • NanoVi Therapy: Chronic pain generates massive oxidative stress. NanoVi helps your cells repair the protein damage caused by this stress, improving cellular function and resilience.

Peptide Stacks for Pain & Inflammation

• What It Is: The strategic combination of targeted peptides to provide powerful signals for tissue repair and inflammation control.

• Primary Benefits:

  • Addresses the root cause of pain by helping to heal damaged tissue.

  • Reduces reliance on anti-inflammatory medications.

• How It Works (The Science): We create personalized stacks for our Twin Cities patients based on their condition. The "Regenerative Bucket" is key for pain. BPC-157 has been shown in research to accelerate the healing of tendons, ligaments, and nerves. TB-500 is excellent for soft tissue repair. For pure inflammation control, KPV is a potent anti-inflammatory peptide.

• Important Safety Information: Peptide therapies are medically supervised and prescribed after a comprehensive evaluation.

Exomind Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

• What It Is: An advanced, FDA-cleared, non-invasive brain stimulation therapy that uses magnetic pulses to re-regulate dysfunctional neural circuits.

• Relevance to Chronic Pain: Chronic pain physically rewires the brain, often leading to co-occurring depression, anxiety, and PTSD. This mental health burden can amplify the perception of pain. Our Exomind system uses functional brain mapping to deliver personalized TMS, helping to treat the neuropsychiatric component of chronic pain.

• Important Safety Information: TMS is a safe procedure with minimal side effects. A full clinical screening is performed to ensure candidacy.

Transcranial Photobiomodulation (tPBM)

• What It Is: The application of low-level laser therapy (light) to the scalp to improve the health and function of brain cells.

• Relevance to Chronic Pain: This therapy can improve mitochondrial function in neurons, reduce neuro-inflammation, and help combat "pain fog"—the cognitive impairment that often accompanies chronic pain syndromes.

• Important Safety Information: tPBM is a safe, non-invasive therapy.

The Neuro20 Full-Body EMS Suit

• What It Is: A revolutionary suit that uses electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to activate up to 42 muscle groups simultaneously during a safe, low-impact workout.

• Relevance to Chronic Pain: The "pain-deconditioning-pain" cycle is a major challenge where pain leads to inactivity and muscle atrophy, which in turn causes more pain. The Neuro20 suit breaks this cycle. It allows us to rebuild functional strength and muscle mass across the entire body without the high impact that can flare up painful conditions.

• Important Safety Information: All Neuro20 sessions are one-on-one with a certified trainer at our Edina facility. A thorough health screening is required.

We believe the future of musculoskeletal pain management lies in helping the body heal itself. Our regenerative medicine program offers some of the most advanced, minimally invasive solutions in the United States, providing powerful alternatives to steroid injections and major surgery.

Led by Dr. Louis Saeger, Triple Board Certified Pain Specialist

• What It Is: A world-class regenerative medicine program personally developed and directed by Dr. Louis Saeger, a renowned, triple board-certified expert in pain management and interventional orthopedics.

• Primary Benefits:

  • Access to some of the most advanced, evidence-based regenerative protocols for spine and joint pain in the United States.

  • The assurance of a treatment plan designed and often performed by a leading expert in the field.

  • A commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in non-surgical pain resolution, right here in Edina, MN.

• How It Works: Dr. Saeger's deep expertise in diagnostics and imaging-guided procedures ensures that every treatment is delivered with maximum precision and safety, targeting the true source of your pain to optimize the potential for a successful outcome.

Subchondral Intraosseous Injections: A Superior Approach

• What It Is: A groundbreaking regenerative technique for moderate to severe osteoarthritis and spinal conditions where orthobiologics (like PRP or bone marrow concentrate) are injected directly into the subchondral bone—the foundational bone just beneath the cartilage.

• Primary Benefits:

  • Targets the "root cause" of joint pain by healing the foundational bone that supports the cartilage.

  • Provides a healthier, better-vascularized environment to protect remaining cartilage.

  • Offers the potential for a more durable, long-lasting solution compared to standard joint injections.

  • May significantly delay or even prevent the need for joint replacement surgery for many patients in the Twin Cities.

• How It Works (The Science): In many cases of advanced arthritis, the problem isn't just worn-out cartilage; it's a diseased and inflamed subchondral bone that's unable to support the joint. Standard intra-articular (in the joint space) injections can't effectively reach this foundational problem. By using precise imaging guidance, Dr. Saeger injects your body's own healing agents directly into the bone to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and provide a powerful concentration of growth factors to heal the very foundation of the joint.

• Important Safety Information: This is a minimally invasive medical procedure performed by Dr. Saeger under precise fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance. It requires a thorough diagnostic workup, including imaging like an MRI, to determine if you are a candidate.

Advancing Regenerative Medicine: The Superior Potential of Subchondral Intraosseous Injections for Osteoarthritis and Spinal Conditions

Comprehensive Orthobiologic Therapies

• What It Is: A spectrum of advanced, minimally invasive injection therapies that use your body's own healing components (autologous) or carefully sourced donor tissues (allografts) to repair damaged tissues and resolve pain at its source.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

  • How It Works: A concentration of your own blood platelets, rich in growth factors, is injected into the injured area to orchestrate a natural healing response.

  • Supportive Evidence: Numerous high-quality studies and meta-analyses have confirmed that PRP provides more significant and longer-lasting pain relief for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis compared to traditional corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections. It is also a frontline treatment for chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.

• Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Therapy

  • How It Works: We harvest a small amount of your own bone marrow, which is a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). This marrow is concentrated and injected into the target area. These powerful cells can help orchestrate a more robust repair of cartilage, bone, and other tissues.

  • Supportive Evidence: The literature supports BMAC as a more advanced option for moderate to severe osteoarthritis and other conditions where a stronger regenerative signal is needed than what PRP alone can provide.

• Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Injections

  • How It Works: A mini-liposuction procedure is used to harvest a small amount of your fat tissue, which is incredibly rich in adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). These cells are isolated and injected into the damaged joint or tissue. ASCs are known for their potent anti-inflammatory and regenerative capabilities.

  • Supportive Evidence: Research has shown this to be a highly promising therapy for significant joint osteoarthritis, leveraging the high concentration and powerful signaling capacity of stem cells derived from adipose tissue.

• Amniotic Fluid Injections

  • How It Works: This therapy uses carefully screened and processed amniotic fluid, an allograft sourced from consenting donors. This fluid is rich in hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and anti-inflammatory molecules. It does not contain live stem cells but acts as a natural "scaffold" and signaling hub to reduce inflammation, lubricate the joint, and support your body's own repair processes.

  • Supportive Evidence: Clinical studies have demonstrated that amniotic fluid injections can provide significant pain relief and functional improvement for conditions like osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis, largely due to their powerful anti-inflammatory and lubricating properties.

• Important Safety Information: These are all minimally invasive medical procedures performed under imaging guidance by Dr. Saeger. A comprehensive evaluation is required to determine which specific orthobiologic therapy is the safest and most appropriate option for your condition. Autologous therapies (PRP, BMAC, Adipose) use your own tissue, eliminating any risk of rejection.