Overview
Lexington, Kentucky occupies a distinctive position in the regional healthcare landscape. Home to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital — one of the state’s only academic medical centers — the city draws patients from across central and eastern Kentucky who need access to specialized care. That concentration of medical infrastructure has also supported the growth of private regenerative medicine practices that operate alongside and, in some cases, in direct collaboration with UK’s clinical programs. For patients researching stem cell therapy in central Kentucky, Lexington offers a range of options from large academic-affiliated programs to independent concierge practices.
Patients turn to regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy for a variety of reasons. The most common drivers are chronic musculoskeletal conditions — osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or shoulder, degenerative disc disease, tendon injuries, and sports-related joint damage — where conventional treatments have produced incomplete relief and the next step would otherwise be surgery. Stem cell therapy, specifically bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, offers a minimally invasive alternative that uses the body’s own biological material to promote tissue repair. These treatments are not FDA-approved for all conditions, and outcomes vary; but for appropriately selected candidates, they represent a meaningful option in a non-surgical care pathway.
Clinic types in Lexington vary considerably. Academic programs such as UK Healthcare’s Interventional Pain Medicine division are physician-referral-based, operate within a hospital system, and follow conservative evidence-based protocols. Independent practices such as Wellward Regenerative Medicine and Marshall Lifestyle Medicine take a different model — direct access, broader service menus, and in some cases concierge or membership structures. Understanding these structural differences matters because they shape how care is delivered, how costs are handled, and what expectations are realistic. Academic settings typically accept standard insurance; many independent regenerative medicine clinics do not.
Evaluating any stem cell clinic requires the same core diligence regardless of setting. Verify that the administering physician holds an active MD or DO license in Kentucky, which can be confirmed through the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure at kbml.ky.gov. Confirm board certification in a relevant specialty — pain medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedics, or anesthesiology — through the American Board of Medical Specialties. Ask directly what type of biologic is being used, where it comes from, and whether the procedure is performed under image guidance. Clinics that cannot or will not answer these questions clearly should be approached with caution.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Lexington
1. Wellward Regenerative Medicine
Address: 101 N Eagle Creek Dr, Suite 120, Lexington, KY 40509
Phone: (859) 275-4878
Website: https://www.wellwardmed.com
About: Wellward Regenerative Medicine is one of the longest-established pain and regenerative medicine practices in Kentucky. Its origin traces to 1992, when Dr. Manoochehr Mazloomdoost, MD, and Dr. Camellia Shirazi, MD — a husband and wife team trained in anesthesiology and psychiatry respectively — founded one of the first comprehensive multidisciplinary pain practices in the country. Over the following decades the practice evolved into what is now Wellward, a group practice with six physicians covering seven specialty areas. The current Medical Director, Dr. Danesh Mazloomdoost, MD, is a second-generation physician who trained at Johns Hopkins and MD Anderson and has built a clinical program centered on non-narcotic, minimally invasive approaches to pain and orthopedic conditions. Wellward uses a proprietary HEAL framework that addresses pain from multiple angles simultaneously — biological, mechanical, psychological, and nutritional — rather than treating symptoms in isolation. The clinic describes its procedures as same-day, minimally invasive, and performed with advanced imaging guidance.
Physicians:
- Dr. Danesh Mazloomdoost, MD — Medical Director. Board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine through the American Board of Anesthesiology. Received his MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine (2005), completed anesthesiology residency at Johns Hopkins (2006-2009), and a Pain Medicine fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston / MD Anderson Cancer Center (2009-2010), followed by post-fellowship training in Musculoskeletal and Regenerative Medicine. He is the author of “Fifty Shades of Pain” and “Orthobiologics Book,” and maintains hospital affiliations with Baptist Health Lexington and Saint Joseph Hospital, among others.
- Dr. Manoochehr Mazloomdoost, MD — Co-founder. Board-certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Specialist with over 30 years of practice in Lexington.
- Dr. Camellia Shirazi, MD — Co-founder. Background in anesthesiology and psychiatry, contributing to the practice’s integrated approach to pain and mental health.
- Dr. Travis Bridges, DO — Listed physician at the Eagle Creek location.
- Dr. Chris Ethridge, MD — Listed physician at the Eagle Creek location.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: A concentration of the patient’s own platelets is prepared and injected into damaged joints, tendons, or soft tissue to stimulate localized healing and reduce inflammation.
- Stem Cell Therapy (Orthobiologics): Utilizes biologic materials to support tissue regeneration in joints and musculoskeletal structures, administered under image guidance.
- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy and Stellate Ganglion Blocks: Targeting chronic pain with neurological or psychological components, including post-traumatic conditions.
- BHRT Pellet Therapy: Bioidentical hormone replacement for patients whose pain and fatigue have a hormonal component.
- P-Shot and O-Shot: PRP-based sexual health and tissue rejuvenation injections.
- Chiropractic Services and Physical Therapy: Integrated into the overall treatment plan as mechanical complements to injection-based care.
Conditions Treated:
- Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder)
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Tendon and ligament injuries
- Sports-related joint damage
- Neuropathic and cancer-related pain
- Chronic pain with psychological components (trauma, depression)
Technology and Equipment: Wellward uses advanced 4-dimensional imaging to map pain sources. Procedures are performed under image guidance. The clinic describes its diagnostic approach as targeting root causes rather than surface symptoms.
Patient Experience: Patient reviews on Yelp and Healthgrades note the thoroughness of Dr. Danesh and the team’s willingness to explore non-surgical options in complex cases. The clinic offers a free discovery call for prospective patients.
2. Marshall Lifestyle Medicine
Address: 2251 War Admiral Way, Suite 125, Lexington, KY 40509 (Hamburg location; second location at 3195 Beaumont Centre Circle, Suite 130, Lexington, KY 40513)
Phone: (859) 554-8486
Website: https://www.marshalllifestylemedicine.com
About: Marshall Lifestyle Medicine was founded in the fall of 2015 by Dr. John Marshall Mullins, MD, a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and former co-founder and president of MESA Medical Group — the largest provider of emergency and hospitalist physician services in Kentucky. Dr. Mullins built Marshall Lifestyle Medicine as an alternative to the reactive, insurance-driven healthcare model, intentionally structuring it as a concierge practice with direct physician access, same-day appointments, and a proactive health optimization orientation. The practice has grown to three Central Kentucky locations, including two in Lexington and one in Georgetown. Its model blends primary care, regenerative medicine, hormone optimization, and aesthetics under what Dr. Mullins calls “hospitality healthcare” — a term intended to convey a patient-experience standard closer to a private membership than a conventional clinic. The regenerative medicine program specifically addresses joint recovery, sports performance, and age-related tissue deterioration.
Physicians:
- Dr. John Marshall Mullins, MD — Founder and CEO. Received his MD from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (1993). Board-certified in Emergency Medicine. Former co-founder and president of MESA Medical Group, the largest ED and hospitalist physician group in Kentucky, which grew to nearly 700 employees before its acquisition by TeamHealth in 2013. Has spent over a decade developing an integrated regenerative and lifestyle medicine practice. His approach incorporates hormones, peptides, PRP, exosomes, and adipose-derived stem cell matrix products.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Injected into joints, tendons, or soft tissue; also used in hair restoration and sexual health applications.
- Stem Cell Matrix and Exosome Treatments: Adipose-derived stem cell matrix products and exosomes integrated into orthopedic recovery and wellness plans.
- Hormone Optimization (BHRT): Evidence-based testosterone, thyroid, and hormone pathway management following guidelines from leading endocrine societies.
- Peptide Therapy: Advanced peptides targeting metabolism, sleep quality, cognition, immune function, and cellular repair.
- Weight Management: Medical weight loss programs tailored to the individual metabolic profile.
- Advanced Aesthetics: Aesthetic treatments integrated alongside the regenerative and wellness program.
Conditions Treated:
- Joint pain and orthopedic recovery
- Sports performance optimization
- Hormonal imbalance (testosterone deficiency, thyroid dysfunction)
- Metabolic and weight-related conditions
- Hair loss (PRP-based)
- Sexual health and function
- General fatigue and age-related vitality decline
Patient Experience: The practice operates on a concierge membership model with 24/7 physician access and unlimited virtual or in-person visits. Quarterly in-depth health reviews are standard for members. Same-day appointments are available.
Insurance and Pricing: Marshall Lifestyle Medicine operates as a direct-pay, concierge practice and does not accept insurance for its membership services. Prospective patients should contact the clinic directly for current pricing and membership tiers.
3. UK Healthcare — Interventional Pain Medicine (Good Samaritan Location)
Address: Good Samaritan Hospital, 310 S. Limestone, Suite A102, Lexington, KY 40508
Phone: (859) 323-7246 | Toll-free: (800) 258-9705
Website: https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/interventional-pain-medicine/treatments/regenerative-medicine
About: UK Healthcare’s Interventional Pain Medicine division is the academic medicine option for regenerative treatments in Lexington, operating within the University of Kentucky’s hospital system. A second clinical site at Good Samaritan Hospital opened in April 2024, expanding access to pain management care on the west side of the city. The program is attached to one of the country’s strongest academic medical centers — UK Chandler Hospital is a Level I Trauma Center and a major regional referral destination — meaning regenerative procedures here occur within a full clinical infrastructure that includes imaging, laboratory services, and specialty backup. The division also runs an accredited Pain Medicine Fellowship, making it a training site as well as a clinical site. Appointments are made by physician referral, distinguishing it from the direct-access private clinics above. For patients who are already engaged with a primary care physician or specialist within the UK system, this is a straightforward pathway.
Physicians:
- Dr. Brock H. Marrs, MD — Interventional Pain Medicine Specialist. Received his MD from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine (2018). Completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky, followed by a Pain Medicine fellowship, also at the University of Kentucky. Board-certified. Holds faculty titles of Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Associate Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Director at UK College of Medicine. Hospital affiliation: University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
- Dr. Stuart Cowley, MD — Interventional Pain Physician. Graduated from the University of Kentucky / Chandler Medical Center (2017). Specializes in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. Faculty member in the UK Pain Medicine Fellowship program.
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Blood is drawn, centrifuged to concentrate platelets, and injected into the target musculoskeletal site, typically within 15 minutes, under fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.
- Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) / Stem Cell Therapy: Bone marrow is aspirated from the pelvis under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance; the resulting concentrate of mesenchymal stem cells is injected into the treatment site.
- Full Interventional Pain Management: Nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal drug delivery, and other advanced pain procedures available through the broader UK IPM program.
Conditions Treated:
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain (joints, tendons, spine)
- Degenerative joint disease
- Sports and overuse injuries
- Cancer-related pain
- Spine and skeletal disorders
- Chronic neuropathic pain
Technology and Equipment: All procedures are performed with fluoroscopy or image guidance. The division uses the full diagnostic infrastructure of UK Healthcare, including advanced imaging and laboratory services.
Insurance and Pricing: As part of UK Healthcare, this program accepts most major insurance plans. Appointments require a physician referral.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Lexington
Before scheduling a consultation, prospective patients should prepare a short list of direct questions for any clinic under consideration. The most important: what biological material will be used, where does it originate, and how is it administered? There is a meaningful clinical difference between autologous treatments — where the biologic comes from the patient’s own body, such as bone marrow aspirate or PRP drawn on the same day — and allogenic or off-the-shelf products sourced from a third-party bank. Autologous procedures have a longer evidence base; many third-party biologic products marketed as “stem cell” therapies contain non-viable cells or are primarily growth factor preparations. A physician who can explain this distinction clearly and disclose the specific product being used is demonstrating the transparency worth seeking.
Imaging and laboratory evaluation should precede any regenerative injection. Responsible clinics in Lexington will request imaging — typically X-ray or MRI — to confirm the anatomical target before injecting, and will perform a clinical examination to establish that the patient is an appropriate candidate. Clinics that offer same-day consultation and injection without prior imaging or workup are cutting a step that exists for patient safety. Similarly, a complete blood count and basic metabolic panel before PRP preparation helps ensure the patient’s platelet counts and overall health status are suitable.
Board certification is a verifiable floor, not a ceiling. Any physician performing regenerative injections should hold active board certification in a relevant specialty and an active Kentucky medical license. These can be verified independently: board certification through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) at certificationmatters.org, and licensure through the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure at kbml.ky.gov. Lexington’s clinics profiled here all have identified physicians who meet this standard, but verification is always the patient’s right and responsibility. Fellowship training in interventional pain, musculoskeletal medicine, or orthobiologics — beyond residency — indicates additional procedural depth.
Finally, understand what success looks like and what the follow-up plan involves. Regenerative medicine is not a single-appointment cure; outcomes typically develop over weeks to months, and some patients require multiple treatment sessions. A clinic that sets realistic expectations, provides measurable outcome benchmarks, and has a defined follow-up structure is a more credible partner than one that promises immediate relief with no stated timeline. Ask whether the clinic tracks outcomes, and whether they will communicate with your primary care provider. In Lexington, where patients often have existing relationships within the UK Healthcare network or regional hospital systems, a regenerative medicine clinic that integrates with rather than operates in isolation from that broader care team is the stronger long-term choice.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. All clinic details were gathered from publicly available sources and were accurate at time of research (February 2026). Verify credentials, addresses, and services directly with each clinic before making any healthcare decision. Consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment.