Regenerative Therapies for Athletes in El Paso, TX

PRP, PFP, MFAT, IV Infusions, Peptides, and Integrative Chiropractic Care

Abstract

Athletes in El Paso, Texas, often want to recover from injuries, return to training, and protect their long-term performance. Regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-fibrin products (PFP), micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), IV infusions, and peptide therapies are becoming more common in sports and wellness care.

At ChiroMed in El Paso, an integrative approach can combine chiropractic care, medical oversight, functional medicine, rehabilitation, and regenerative medicine support. Instead of focusing only on pain, the goal is to identify the injured tissue, improve movement, restore strength, and help the athlete return to activity as safely as possible.

This article explains how these therapies may fit into an athlete’s recovery plan, how integrative chiropractic care can support movement and rehabilitation, and why competitive athletes must also consider anti-doping rules before using certain IV treatments or peptide products.

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Why Athletes in El Paso Are Looking at Regenerative Medicine

Athletes place repeated stress on their muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues. Running, jumping, lifting, throwing, tackling, and sudden changes in direction can all create injuries.

Common sports problems may include:

• Tendon irritation or tearing
• Ligament sprains
• Muscle strains
• Shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries
• Ankle and foot injuries
• Hip pain
• Joint degeneration
• Cartilage damage
• Back and neck pain
• Repetitive-use injuries

For many athletes, the main question is simple:

How can I heal while losing as little training time as possible?

Regenerative medicine may be one part of that answer for selected injuries. However, treatment should always begin with a proper diagnosis. The right therapy depends on the tissue involved, the injury’s severity, the athlete’s health, and the demands of the sport.

PRP, rehabilitation, and other regenerative approaches are increasingly used in sports medicine, but results vary depending on the condition being treated (de Sire et al., 2025; Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine, 2022).

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What Is PRP Therapy?

Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is made from the patient’s own blood.

A healthcare professional draws a small blood sample and places it into a centrifuge. The centrifuge separates different parts of the blood and creates a preparation with a higher concentration of platelets.

Platelets are known for their role in blood clotting, but they also contain proteins and signaling molecules involved in the body’s normal repair process.

PRP may be considered for certain:

• Tendon injuries
• Ligament injuries
• Muscle injuries
• Joint problems
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Elbow tendinopathy
• Rotator cuff conditions
• Patellar tendon problems

Sports medicine clinics have used PRP as one option when an injury is slow to improve with more basic conservative care (Dunn, n.d.; OrthoEdge Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, n.d.).

However, PRP should not be presented as a guaranteed cure.

Research shows that the results can differ depending on the injury. A systematic review of PRP use in athletes found possible pain and functional benefits in some conditions, but researchers also noted that higher-quality studies are still needed (de Sire et al., 2025).

This makes individualized care important.

Instead of simply asking, “Does PRP work?”, athletes should ask:

“Is PRP supported for my specific type of injury?”

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What Are PFP Treatments?

Another option discussed in regenerative medicine is PFP, or platelet-fibrin products.

PFP treatments use blood-derived material containing platelets along with fibrin. Fibrin is part of the body’s normal clotting and healing process and can form a supportive framework around platelets.

This framework may help keep platelets and biological signaling factors near the treatment area for a period of time.

PFP is sometimes discussed for:

• Tendon injuries
• Ligament problems
• Joint injuries
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Areas that have been slow to recover

One important point is that platelet and fibrin products can be prepared in different ways.

The term PFP is not completely standardized across all clinics and researchers. Athletes should ask exactly what type of product is being used and why the healthcare provider believes it fits the injury.

Clear communication helps the patient understand whether the treatment is PRP, PRF, PFP, or another platelet-based preparation.

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What Is MFAT?

MFAT stands for micro-fragmented adipose tissue.

Adipose tissue is body fat. In an MFAT procedure, a small amount of the patient’s own adipose tissue is collected and mechanically processed into smaller fragments.

The processed tissue may then be placed into an injured or arthritic joint.

MFAT is being studied in areas such as knee osteoarthritis and joint degeneration.

Research has shown encouraging results for some patients with knee osteoarthritis. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that both MFAT and PRP produced improvements in patients with knee osteoarthritis, although more research is needed to determine which patients are most likely to benefit (Park et al., 2025).

MFAT should not be described as a guaranteed way to regrow cartilage or rebuild a completely damaged joint.

At ChiroMed, regenerative therapies can be considered as part of a broader plan that also looks at:

• Joint mechanics
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Weight-bearing patterns
• Muscle balance
• Previous injuries
• Functional movement
• Rehabilitation needs

The goal is to treat the athlete as a whole rather than focusing only on one painful area.

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How Much Downtime Is Needed After Regenerative Therapy?

This is one of the most common questions athletes ask.

“When can I train again?”

There is no single recovery timeline.

The answer depends on:

• The type of injury
• The location of the injury
• The treatment performed
• The severity of tissue damage
• The athlete’s age
• Medical conditions
• Fitness level
• Training demands
• Healing response
• Rehabilitation progress

An athlete who receives an injection into a knee may have a different recovery plan than someone receiving treatment for an elbow or shoulder tendon.

Regenerative treatment is also not the same as instant pain relief.

Some therapies are intended to support the body’s repair response, which may take time.

Early recovery may include:

• Reduced activity
• Gentle movement
• Controlled range-of-motion exercises
• Gradual weight bearing
• Progressive strengthening
• Functional exercises
• Sport-specific training

Athletes should not return to full activity based only on how many days have passed.

A better return-to-sport plan looks at strength, movement quality, balance, pain, stability, and sport-specific function.

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How Integrative Chiropractic Care Supports Athletes

An injection may address an injured tissue, but it does not automatically fix the movement problem that contributed to the injury.

For example, an athlete with chronic knee pain may also have:

• Limited ankle mobility
• Weak hip muscles
• Poor pelvic control
• Abnormal running mechanics
• Muscle imbalance
• Restricted joint motion
• Poor landing mechanics

These problems can continue placing stress on the recovering tissue.

That is why integrative chiropractic care at ChiroMed can be an important part of the overall recovery plan.

Depending on the athlete’s condition, care may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Joint mobilization
• Soft-tissue treatment
• Corrective exercise
• Mobility training
• Core stabilization
• Strengthening
• Functional movement testing
• Balance training
• Sport-specific rehabilitation
• Posture and movement correction

Chiropractic adjustments should not be described as directly regenerating torn tendons or cartilage.

Instead, chiropractic treatment can help support mobility, joint function, movement mechanics, and rehabilitation participation.

This can help athletes move better while the injured tissues recover.

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Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Integrative Approach at ChiroMed

At ChiroMed, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CCST, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, brings together chiropractic care, functional medicine, injury evaluation, rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary care.

His clinical approach considers more than the painful body part.

A sports injury may involve problems with:

• Muscle coordination
• Joint mobility
• Strength
• Balance
• Posture
• Gait
• Flexibility
• Training volume
• Nutrition
• Sleep
• Recovery habits

Dr. Jimenez’s clinical observations often focus on two important questions:

What tissue has been injured?

and

What movement problem is continuing to place stress on that tissue?

This approach can help create a more complete rehabilitation plan.

Instead of treating only symptoms, the goal is to understand the athlete’s movement patterns and determine what may need to change before returning to full training.

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Medical Oversight With Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD

An important part of the multidisciplinary model used alongside Dr. Jimenez’s practice is the medical oversight of Dr. Maria Guadalupe Cardenas, MD, a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with more than 40 years of experience.

Dr. Cardenas serves as Medical Director and Collaborative Physician at Injury Medical Clinic PA in El Paso.

Her role adds medical evaluation and oversight to an integrative care system that includes chiropractic and rehabilitation services.

This type of collaboration can be useful because an athlete’s recovery may be affected by more than the injury itself.

Medical issues that may influence treatment include:

• Prescription medications
• Heart and blood pressure conditions
• Diabetes or metabolic problems
• Hormonal concerns
• Blood disorders
• Infection
• Kidney problems
• Liver conditions
• Nutritional deficiencies

By combining chiropractic care with medical oversight, the care team can consider both musculoskeletal and general medical factors.

The multidisciplinary model may include:

• Chiropractic care
• Internal medicine oversight
• Functional medicine
• Sports injury care
• Personal injury care
• Rehabilitation
• Regenerative medicine support
• Wellness services

This type of coordinated care can help guide athletes through different stages of recovery.

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What About IV Infusions for Athletes?

IV infusion therapy is often discussed in sports recovery and wellness clinics.

IV fluids may be appropriate when a patient needs direct fluid or medication administration.

However, athletes should not assume that every IV marketed for recovery is necessary or supported for every situation.

An IV treatment may contain:

• Fluids
• Electrolytes
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Medications
• Other ingredients

Athletes should know exactly what they are receiving.

Competitive athletes must be especially careful.

Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, IV infusions or injections totaling more than 100 mL during a 12-hour period are generally prohibited, unless they are received during certain hospital treatments, surgical procedures, clinical diagnostic investigations, or meet another accepted medical exemption.

Before an IV, competitive athletes should ask:

• What is in the IV?
• What is the total volume?
• Why is the IV medically needed?
• Is every ingredient allowed by my sport?
• Does my sports organization follow WADA rules?
• Do I need a Therapeutic Use Exemption?

Athletes should check anti-doping requirements before receiving treatment, not afterward.

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Peptide Therapy and Athletic Recovery

Peptide therapies are receiving more attention in functional and regenerative medicine.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can act as biological signals in the body.

Some clinics market peptides for goals involving:

• Recovery
• Body composition
• Sleep
• Hormonal support
• Tissue repair
• Inflammation

However, athletes should approach peptide therapy carefully.

Many peptides promoted for sports recovery lack strong human clinical evidence for treating sports injuries.

Some compounded peptides have also raised safety concerns with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Examples that athletes may hear about include:

• BPC-157
• CJC-1295
• Ipamorelin
• TB-500-related compounds
• Growth hormone-related peptides

The FDA has identified safety concerns or limited human data for several compounded peptide substances.

This does not mean every peptide is the same, but it does mean athletes should avoid assuming that “peptide therapy” automatically means safe, proven, or approved.

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Peptides and Anti-Doping Rules

Competitive athletes need to be especially cautious.

Some peptides are prohibited under anti-doping rules.

For example, BPC-157 is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.

Growth hormone-releasing compounds and certain related peptides may also be prohibited.

A substance can violate anti-doping rules even when:

• A clinic offers it legally
• A healthcare professional recommends it
• It comes from a compounding pharmacy
• It is marketed as natural
• The athlete did not intend to cheat

Athletes who compete in tested sports should check their organization’s current rules before using any peptide, supplement, hormone, medication, or injection.

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Combining Regenerative Medicine and Chiropractic Rehabilitation

The strongest treatment plan is often not built around a single procedure.

An athlete may receive PRP or another regenerative treatment, but recovery still requires proper rehabilitation.

At ChiroMed, an integrative plan may move through several stages.

Phase 1: Evaluate the Injury

The first goal is to understand what happened.

This may include:

• Medical history
• Physical examination
• Orthopedic testing
• Neurological testing
• Movement assessment
• Imaging when appropriate

Phase 2: Reduce Stress on the Injured Area

Early treatment may involve:

• Activity modification
• Joint care
• Soft-tissue therapy
• Pain management
• Mobility work

Phase 3: Support Tissue Recovery

Depending on the diagnosis, the care team may discuss regenerative or medically directed options such as:

• PRP
• Platelet-fibrin products
• MFAT
• Other appropriate treatments

Phase 4: Rebuild Movement

Athletes may begin:

• Corrective exercise
• Strength training
• Stability work
• Balance training
• Mobility exercises

Phase 5: Return to Sport

Training gradually becomes more demanding.

The athlete may work on:

• Running
• Jumping
• Cutting
• Lifting
• Throwing
• Sport-specific movements
• Speed
• Power
• Endurance

The purpose is to help the athlete return to competition with better movement and a lower risk of repeating the same injury.

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Questions Athletes Should Ask Before Treatment

Before receiving a regenerative procedure, athletes should ask their healthcare team:

• What is my exact diagnosis?
• What tissue is injured?
• Do I need imaging?
• What treatments should I try first?
• What evidence supports this therapy?
• Is PRP appropriate for this injury?
• What exactly is the PFP product being used?
• Is MFAT appropriate for my condition?
• What are the possible risks?
• What does rehabilitation involve?
• When can I begin training again?
• What tests will determine my return to sport?
• Does this treatment follow my sport’s anti-doping rules?
• Who is providing medical oversight?

An informed athlete is better prepared to make decisions about treatment and recovery.

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A More Complete Sports Recovery Approach in El Paso

Regenerative medicine can help with selected sports injuries, but it should not replace careful diagnosis, rehabilitation, or appropriate medical treatment.

At ChiroMed in El Paso, Texas, the goal of integrative sports injury care is to look at the complete athlete.

That means considering:

• The damaged tissue
• Joint movement
• Muscle strength
• Training mechanics
• Nutrition
• Recovery
• Medical conditions
• Rehabilitation needs
• Long-term performance goals

PRP, PFP, MFAT, IV infusions, peptide discussions, functional medicine, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation should each have a clear purpose.

The goal is not simply to help an athlete feel better for a few days.

The larger goal is to restore function, improve movement, support healthy recovery, and create a safer path back to sport.

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References

de Sire, A., et al. (2025). Efficacy of platelet-rich plasma injection for pain relief in athletes: A systematic review. PubMed.

Dunn, J. (n.d.). Regenerative medicine for sports injuries.

Indian Trail Chiropractic & Rehab. (n.d.). Functional movement program.

Jimenez, A. (2026). PRP, PFP, MFAT, and epidural injections after injuries: Benefits. PushAsRx Athletic Training Centers.

Jimenez, A. (2026). El Paso chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez: Functional medicine, injury care, and rehabilitation.

Ling, S. K. K., Mak, C. T. K., Lo, J. P. Y., & Yung, P. S. H. (2024). Effect of platelet-rich plasma injection on the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 12(11).

OrthoEdge Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. (n.d.). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Park, Y. B., Lee, S. K., Kim, K. I., Yoo, J. H., Jung, T., & Kim, J. H. (2025). Microfragmented adipose tissue as an alternative to platelet-rich plasma for intra-articular injection in knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The American Journal of Sports Medicine.

QC Kinetix. (2025). Regenerative therapy aftercare: Best practices and exercises for long-term pain relief.

Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. (2022). How platelet-rich plasma therapy helps athletes.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. (n.d.). IV infusion: Explanatory note.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks.

World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). The 2026 Prohibited List.