Learning library
These guides are written by Phil Kim, your point of contact at the clinic, and reviewed by Dr. Robert Aki, DPM, in plain language with no jargon and no hype. Read them at your own pace, then bring your questions to a consultation.
The FDA now lists Regenecyte, a cord blood stem cell product, among approved cellular therapies. It is a real milestone for blood stem cell transplant patients, and it is not a treatment for joint pain. Here is what the approval is, what it is not, and why it matters when you read stem cell news.
In September 2026 the FDA granted Fast Track status to an experimental cell therapy for ALS, and in August researchers presented new Phase 1/2 data on a stem cell therapy for Parkinson's. Both are real advances and both remain investigational. Here is the honest read.
A stem cell-derived islet therapy restored insulin production in early trials, with 10 of 12 patients insulin-independent at one year. Here is what the 2025-2026 results show, what the FDA has and has not done, and what it means for people with diabetes.
For selected patients with multiple sclerosis, a stem cell transplant is now a guideline-supported option, while for lupus the evidence is promising but still experimental. Here is the honest 2025-2026 picture.
Honolulu's stair climbs and ridge trails are hard on knees. Here is which Oahu trails ask the most of your joints, the hiking injuries to watch for, and how to protect your knees on the trail.
IV stem cell therapy is marketed as a systemic fix for joint pain and aging, but the evidence behind it is thin. Here is what IV infusions actually involve, what the FDA says, and the questions to ask before paying.
The FDA made real moves in 2026 to speed up cell and gene therapy development, and updated its approved products list in September. Here is what changed, what did not, and what it means for you.
Honolulu's warm, humid, trade-wind climate is often blamed and credited for joint pain. Here is what the largest real-world study of weather and pain found, and what the honest science says.
From 'it's illegal' to 'it's a miracle cure', the myths around stem cell therapy are everywhere. Here is what the FDA actually says, myth by myth, read honestly for 2026.
Two autologous sources dominate cell therapy: bone marrow concentrate and fat-derived cells. Here is how each is collected, what the 2025-2026 evidence shows, and the honest questions to ask.
Exosome and extracellular vesicle injections are marketed aggressively for joint pain, and the first human trials are finally here: one was negative, one showed a high-dose signal. Here is the honest read of the 2025-2026 evidence.
The STEP 9 trial showed that semaglutide plus lifestyle change cut knee pain significantly more than lifestyle change alone. Here is what the 2025-2026 weight-loss evidence means for knee osteoarthritis, and how it fits with regenerative care.
With the 2026 JAL Honolulu Marathon set for December 13, runners across Oahu are deep in fall training, and runner's knee is one of the most common overuse injuries of the buildup. Here is what the newest PRP evidence does and does not show.
Cartilage does not heal the way bone or muscle does, and the 2025 and 2026 research explains why, from cell senescence to stem cell trials. Here is what the newest science means for your joints, read honestly.
ACL tears are among the most common sports knee injuries in Honolulu, and biologic injections get a lot of attention. The newest 2025 and 2026 evidence on PRP and stem cells for ACL reconstruction and ligament injuries is genuinely mixed. Here is the honest read.
Scientific understanding of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome continues to evolve, raising important questions about its diverse components and the complexity of these biological systems.
PRP is marketed for everything, including hands and wrists. But the newest 2025 and 2026 evidence on carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger is more skeptical than most marketing lets on. Here is the honest read.
Hamstring strains sideline runners, paddlers, and hikers on Oahu for weeks. New 2026 meta-analyses show PRP may get athletes back to sport faster and cut reinjury risk. Here is the honest picture.
Nerve pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet are a growing focus of regenerative research. Here is what the newest 2025 and 2026 studies really show about PRP and stem cells for peripheral neuropathy, read honestly.
Many Honolulu patients ask whether a stem cell injection can avoid knee replacement. A 2026 umbrella analysis found no direct head-to-head trials. Here is the honest evidence picture.
Tennis elbow is one of the most common tendon problems, and new 2026 trials show PRP is slower to work than a steroid shot but can deliver better long-term relief. Here is the evidence, read honestly.
Ankle pain is common for Honolulu hikers, trail runners, and paddlers, and the research on PRP for the ankle is finally growing. New 2026 real-world data, plus the honest limits, read here.
Joint pain does not have to end the hikes, golf rounds, and beach walks. Here is what 2026 research really shows about PRP and cell-based therapy for people over 60, and how to read it honestly.
Thumb and hand arthritis affects everyday grip and use. Here is what the newest 2025-2026 evidence shows about PRP, stem cells, and regenerative injections for the hand, read honestly.
Achilles pain is one of the most common setbacks for Honolulu runners and hikers. Here is what the newest 2025-2026 evidence shows about PRP, stem cells, and the honest limits of each.
Major U.S. clinical trials for knee osteoarthritis moved forward in 2026, from CARTISTEM's Phase 3 launch to new PRP meta-analyses. Here is the current landscape, read honestly.
Several large 2026 reviews found PRP reduces pain and improves function in knee osteoarthritis, while one contested analysis urged caution. Here is the evidence, read honestly.
Shoulder pain from rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears is one of the most common reasons people consider PRP. Here is what the 2025 and 2026 research shows, how PRP compares to steroids and surgery, and how to read the evidence honestly.
Meniscus tears are a common reason for knee pain and surgery. Here is what the latest research shows about PRP injections and cell-based meniscal repair, including new 2025 and 2026 trial results, read honestly.
A landmark 2025 review ranked aerobic exercise the most effective first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis, while new imaging research links steroid injections to faster joint wear. Here is how to think about exercise, injections, and regenerative care.
Beyond joints and tendons, platelet-rich plasma is used in aesthetic medicine for hair loss and skin rejuvenation. Here is what the evidence shows and what to expect from a PRP aesthetic treatment.
Hip osteoarthritis is a common source of pain and limited mobility. Here is what the latest 2025 and 2026 research shows about stem cell therapy and PRP for the hip, read honestly.
IV hydration and vitamin infusions are a fast-growing wellness trend, but the evidence is often thin. Here is an honest look at what IV infusions can and cannot do, the safety considerations, and when they may make sense.
Peptide therapy is a growing wellness trend, but the science is often oversold. Here is an honest, evidence-based look at what peptides are, which ones are FDA-approved, and what to ask before considering them.
Shockwave therapy, also called extracorporeal shockwave therapy or Softwave, is a non-invasive treatment the clinic offers for stubborn pain. Here is what the recent 2025 and 2026 research shows about where it helps, and where it does not.
Research in regenerative medicine moved fast in 2025 and 2026, from knee osteoarthritis and spine trials to FDA decisions. Here is a plain-language roundup of the science and what it means for patients in Honolulu.
Low back pain from worn spinal discs is one of the most common reasons people seek regenerative care. Here is what the latest 2025 and 2026 research shows about cell-based treatments for the spine, and how to read it honestly.
Tendon problems like tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, and rotator cuff pain send many people on Oahu to regenerative clinics. Here is what recent evidence shows about PRP for each, and what to expect.
The FDA continues to step up enforcement against unapproved regenerative medicine products. Here is what patients should know about the agency's current position, why it matters, and how to spot a clinic that plays by different rules.
Heel pain keeps many people on Oahu off their feet. Here is what recent research shows about platelet-rich plasma(PRP) for plantar fasciitis, who typically qualifies, and what to expect from treatment in Honolulu.
Oahu residents surf, hike, paddle, run, and play year round. Here is how regenerative medicine fits into recovery from the injuries this active island lifestyle creates.
Exosome products are marketed aggressively, but the FDA has never approved one for any therapeutic use. Here is what exosomes are, how they differ from autologous stem cell therapy, and what to ask before you pay for either.
Chronic joint pain from osteoarthritis or old injuries is one of the most common reasons patients explore regenerative medicine. Here is an honest look at what these treatments can and cannot do.
PRP and stem cell therapy are both regenerative treatments, but they work differently. Here is what each one does, how they compare, and how clinics decide which, if either, fits you.
There is no single answer to how long stem cell therapy results last. Here is what shapes durability, what timelines to expect, and how to protect your results.
Honolulu is home to a growing number of regenerative medicine practices. Here is what patients on Oahu should know about choosing local care, from follow-ups to the right questions.
What happens in the days and weeks after a stem cell or PRP injection? Here is a practical guide to recovery, activity, and knowing when to call your clinic.
Not all regenerative medicine clinics are alike. Use this checklist of eight questions to evaluate any practice before you commit to treatment.
Regenerative treatments for arthritis and joint pain are a growing field, but the science is nuanced. Here is an honest look at what researchers are studying and what patients should expect.
Your first visit at a regenerative medicine clinic should be thorough, unhurried, and honest. Here is exactly what happens at a consultation and what to bring with you.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses your own blood to concentrate healing growth factors and deliver them to injured tissue. Here is how it works, what the evidence shows, and what to expect.
A clear, honest introduction to stem cell therapy: what stem cells are, how regenerative clinics use them, what is FDA-approved today, and the questions to ask before any treatment.
Articles can only go so far. For questions about your own condition, imaging, or candidacy, talk to our team and book a consultation.
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