Overview
Albuquerque sits at the center of New Mexico’s healthcare infrastructure, anchored by the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Presbyterian Health Services, and Lovelace Health System. This academic and clinical density has attracted a growing cohort of fellowship-trained interventional physicians who have incorporated regenerative medicine — including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and cell-based biologics — into their practices. The city’s patient population skews toward outdoor recreation injuries, occupational injuries in construction and energy sectors, and age-related degenerative joint conditions, all of which are common indications for regenerative medicine consultations.
Patients seek stem cell and PRP therapy in Albuquerque for a range of reasons. Many arrive after exhausting conservative care options — physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and cortisone injections — without achieving lasting relief. Others are trying to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. A smaller but growing segment seeks regenerative approaches proactively, hoping to accelerate recovery from sports injuries or slow the progression of early osteoarthritis. The desire to avoid opioid dependence is also a documented driver in New Mexico, a state that has faced persistent challenges with prescription pain medication overuse, and that context shapes how local physicians approach regenerative medicine as a non-pharmacologic alternative.
Clinic types in Albuquerque’s regenerative medicine landscape vary significantly. Some practices are multispecialty pain management groups where regenerative procedures are one tool among many interventional techniques. Others are dedicated regenerative medicine centers aligned with national networks such as Regenexx, which enforces standardized protocols and outcome tracking across its provider network. A third category includes medical spas and wellness clinics that offer biologics under physician oversight but with a broader aesthetic and anti-aging focus. Understanding which category a clinic falls into matters, because it shapes physician training depth, procedural standards, imaging guidance capabilities, and outcome accountability.
When evaluating a stem cell therapy clinic in Albuquerque, patients should prioritize several factors: physician credentials (MD or DO with board certification in a relevant specialty), use of imaging guidance such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy during injections, transparency about what biologic product is being used and its regulatory status under FDA guidelines, and whether the clinic tracks patient outcomes. The FDA classifies most cell-based therapies as investigational unless used in certain autologous same-surgical-procedure contexts, so understanding what a clinic offers and how it fits within that regulatory framework is essential due diligence before any treatment.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Albuquerque
1. Modern Pain & Spine
Address: 1540 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87112
Phone: (505) 800-7246
Website: https://www.modernpainspine.com
About: Modern Pain & Spine is a multi-physician interventional pain management practice based in northeast Albuquerque, operating from a dedicated facility that includes an on-site laboratory and autologous cell processing room. The practice was built around an evidence-based philosophy: regenerative procedures are performed by board-certified physicians who have undergone specialized training in procedural technique and who rely on advanced imaging guidance — ultrasound and fluoroscopy — to target injection sites with precision. The clinic treats a broad spectrum of pain conditions, from acute sports injuries to chronic degenerative spine disease, and positions regenerative medicine as one component of a multimodal care plan rather than a standalone cure. With seven physicians on staff, the practice has the clinical depth to manage complex cases that may involve multiple concurrent conditions. The combination of in-house cell processing and imaging-guided delivery places Modern Pain & Spine among the more procedurally rigorous regenerative medicine practices in Albuquerque.
Physicians:
- Athanasios K. Manole, MD — Dr. Manole is a native Albuquerque physician who earned his undergraduate degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of New Mexico before completing his medical degree at UNM School of Medicine in 2014. He holds four board certifications: Preventive Medicine, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Interventional Pain Management, and Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME). He completed postgraduate training in preventive medicine and subsequently focused his advanced training in occupational medicine and pain management. Dr. Manole serves as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at the UNM School of Medicine and sits on the New Mexico Overdose Prevention and Pain Management Advisory Council. He is fluent in Greek and Spanish.
- Victor Salgado, MD — Interventional pain management
- Steven J. Fishburn, MD — Interventional pain management
- Melissa Merhege, MD — Pain management
- Kisha D. Thomas, MD — Pain management
- Kathy Head, JD, MD, MPH, CIME — Occupational and preventive medicine
- Alberto Bolanos, MD — Pain management
Services:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Autologous blood is drawn, centrifuged in the on-site laboratory to concentrate platelets and growth factors, and injected under imaging guidance into the affected joint or soft tissue structure to promote healing and reduce inflammation.
- Stem Cell Therapy: Cell-based biologic injections targeting damaged musculoskeletal tissue, performed with advanced imaging guidance to ensure accurate delivery to the target site.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: Image-guided injections for spine-related radicular pain and disc pathology.
- Facet Joint Injections and Radiofrequency Ablation: Targeted treatment for facet-mediated axial spine pain.
- Spinal Cord Stimulation: Implantable neuromodulation for refractory chronic pain.
- Botox for Chronic Migraine: Preventive injection treatment per established neurology protocols.
Conditions Treated:
- Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine pain
- Knee osteoarthritis and ligament injuries
- Hip, shoulder, and elbow joint pain
- Tendinopathy and tendon tears
- Radiculopathy and pinched nerve syndromes
- Herniated discs and degenerative disc disease
- Sports injuries and occupational injuries
- Chronic migraine headaches
- Workers’ compensation and personal injury cases
Technology and Equipment: On-site laboratory with autologous cell processing capability; ultrasound and fluoroscopy imaging guidance for all injection procedures.
Patient Experience: The practice carries a significant review volume (over 1,000 reviews on third-party platforms), reflecting a high procedural throughput and broad patient base across northeast Albuquerque.
2. Interventional Pain Associates (IPA of NM)
Address: 4824 McMahon Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
Phone: (505) 588-7246
Website: https://ipaofnm.com
About: Interventional Pain Associates is a physician-owned, single-physician practice led by Dr. Joshu Alan Raiten, MD, located in northwest Albuquerque near Lovelace Westside Hospital. The practice takes a multifaceted diagnostic approach, combining careful physical examination, thorough imaging review, and a detailed history of a patient’s pain trajectory before recommending any interventional or regenerative procedure. Dr. Raiten’s philosophy centers on accurate diagnosis first — regenerative medicine is offered only where the clinical indication supports it. The practice treats both acute and chronic pain conditions and emphasizes a comprehensive treatment model that may incorporate corrective exercise, integrative modalities, and interventional spinal procedures alongside regenerative therapies. IPA accepts a broad insurance panel including Medicare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, and United Healthcare, which distinguishes it from cash-only regenerative medicine practices.
Physicians:
- Joshu Alan Raiten, MD — Dr. Raiten completed his undergraduate degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at the University of New Mexico and earned his medical degree from UNM School of Medicine in 2009. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, followed by fellowship training in Interventional Pain Management within the Department of Anesthesia at UT San Antonio. He is board certified in both Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management. Prior to opening his private practice, Dr. Raiten served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and PM&R at the University of New Mexico, where he authored and delivered a continuing medical education course on pain management modalities for physician colleagues. He holds hospital affiliations with Presbyterian Hospital and Lovelace Westside Hospital. Notably, he holds a patent for a prototype device designed to treat back pain, which is pending clinical trials.
Services:
- Regenerative Medicine (Stem Cell and PRP): Mesenchymal cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue are processed and reinjected into the damaged area in an outpatient procedure performed entirely within the clinic setting.
- Interventional Spinal Procedures: Full complement of image-guided spinal injections including epidurals, nerve blocks, and facet procedures.
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Functional assessment and non-interventional rehabilitation planning as part of a comprehensive care strategy.
- Corrective Exercise Programs: Individualized exercise prescription integrated with procedural treatment.
Conditions Treated:
- Low back and neck pain
- Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy
- Herniated and degenerative discs
- Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and shoulder
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
- Compression fractures
- Sports and soft tissue injuries
- Headaches and chronic pain syndromes
- Pinched nerve conditions
Insurance and Pricing: Accepts Medicare, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Healthcare. New patients are accepted. Telehealth appointments are available.
3. Manzano Medical Group — Regenexx Network Provider
Address: 505 Elm Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 727-4919 | Regenexx inquiries: (505) 505-5633
Website: https://manzanomedicalgroup.com
About: Manzano Medical Group is Albuquerque’s designated provider within the Regenexx network, a national network of orthopedic and rehabilitation physicians who use a proprietary, standardized set of bone marrow concentrate and platelet procedures backed by over 19 years of outcome tracking. The practice is led by Dr. John Henry Sloan, MD, MPH, CPE, who brings over 30 years of clinical experience in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, along with one of the most extensive multi-board certification portfolios of any regenerative medicine physician in New Mexico. The clinic operates at the intersection of occupational medicine, physical rehabilitation, and advanced regenerative procedures, offering patients a comprehensive evaluation before any intervention is recommended. The Regenexx affiliation means that procedural protocols are standardized, cell concentrates are produced using equipment validated to exceed the concentration levels of typical PRP machines, and all procedures are performed under advanced imaging guidance. Manzano Medical Group also maintains a long-standing academic connection through Dr. Sloan’s appointment as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of New Mexico.
Physicians:
- John Henry Sloan, MD, MPH, CPE — CEO and President of Manzano Medical Group and Medical Director of Lovelace UNM Rehabilitation Hospital. Dr. Sloan earned his MD in 1983 from the University of Washington School of Medicine and his MPH in 1987 from the University of Washington School of Public Health. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University (1989-1992) and served as Chief Resident in 1992. He holds seven board certifications: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Pain Medicine; Occupational Medicine and Environmental Medicine; Public Health and General Preventive Medicine; Brain Injury Medicine Subspecialty; Musculoskeletal Sonography (ARDMS); and Certified Independent Medical Examiner (CIME). His Regenexx specialty areas span the full musculoskeletal system: cervical and lumbar spine, thoracic spine, hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, foot and ankle, and hand and wrist.
- Wallace E. Gladden, Jr., MD — Physiatrist with over eight years at Manzano. Dr. Gladden earned his MD from Howard University College of Medicine in 2009, completed an internship at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University (2012-2015). He specializes in treating disabilities from amputations, burn injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, and chronic pain.
Services:
- Regenexx SD (Bone Marrow Concentrate): Bone marrow is harvested from the posterior iliac crest under imaging guidance, then concentrated using the Regenexx proprietary protocol before precise reinjection into the target joint or spine structure. This procedure is used for orthopedic conditions where cellular density and concentration are critical to outcome.
- Regenexx SCP (Super Concentrated Platelets): A platelet concentrate more pure and concentrated than standard PRP produced by conventional machines, designed to maximize growth factor delivery to the target tissue.
- Platelet Lysate Procedures: Additional biologic modalities for specific indications.
- Image-Guided Injections: All procedures performed under ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance.
- Shockwave Therapy and EMTT: Adjunct regenerative technology for tendon and soft tissue conditions.
- Laser Therapy and Acupuncture: Integrative modalities supporting the rehabilitation plan.
- Occupational Medicine and Health Services: Comprehensive occupational injury care and independent medical examinations.
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Full physiatric evaluation and treatment planning.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and ligament injuries (ACL, meniscus)
- Hip osteoarthritis and labral pathology
- Shoulder rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis
- Cervical and lumbar degenerative disc disease
- Spine facet arthropathy
- Elbow epicondylitis and tendinopathy
- Foot and ankle injuries including plantar fasciitis
- Hand and wrist conditions
- Amputee-related pain and disability
- Occupational and work-related musculoskeletal injuries
Technology and Equipment: Regenexx proprietary bone marrow concentration protocol; ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance; shockwave and EMTT devices; laser therapy equipment. The Regenexx network maintains a prospective outcomes registry allowing procedural results to be tracked over time.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Albuquerque
Before scheduling a consultation at any regenerative medicine clinic in Albuquerque, patients should prepare a targeted set of questions. The most important: what biologic product will be used, where does it come from, and what is its FDA regulatory status? Autologous procedures — those using a patient’s own bone marrow or blood — occupy a different regulatory space than allogeneic products derived from donor tissue, and not all products marketed as “stem cell therapy” contain live stem cells in any clinically meaningful concentration. Ask specifically whether the physician can show you the evidence base for the product and protocol they intend to use. A physician who cannot or will not answer this question directly is a warning signal.
Imaging guidance is non-negotiable for any reputable regenerative medicine procedure in Albuquerque or anywhere else. Studies consistently show that injection accuracy without guidance — even for experienced physicians — falls well below acceptable rates for joints like the knee, hip, and shoulder. Ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopy-guided delivery ensures the biologic product reaches the intended anatomical target. Before committing to treatment, ask whether the physician personally performs and interprets the imaging, or whether a technician is involved. In the highest-quality practices, the treating physician is also the imaging operator.
Board certification is a meaningful — though not sufficient — credential filter. In Albuquerque’s regenerative medicine landscape, the relevant primary boards are the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPM&R), the American Board of Pain Medicine, and the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subspecialty in Pain Medicine. Some physicians also hold certification from the American Board of Regenerative Medicine, though this board carries less institutional recognition than the major ABMS specialty boards. A physician board-certified in PM&R or pain medicine with fellowship training in interventional procedures has demonstrated a minimum threshold of formal training in musculoskeletal anatomy, imaging-guided injection technique, and procedural safety — the foundational skills on which regenerative medicine competence is built.
Finally, ask whether the clinic has any relationship with a hospital or academic medical center. In Albuquerque, UNM Health Sciences Center and its affiliated hospitals represent the regional academic standard of care. Physicians with faculty appointments at UNM, hospital privileges at Presbyterian or Lovelace, or who participate in residency education are embedded in a professional accountability structure that solo cash-only practices may lack. This does not make independent clinics inferior, but it does mean the academic-affiliated physicians are subject to peer review, credentialing committees, and ongoing continuing medical education requirements that add a layer of quality oversight beyond simple licensure.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Clinic information, physician credentials, and contact details are based on publicly available sources verified as of February 2026 and are subject to change. Verify credentials directly with each clinic and through the New Mexico Medical Board before pursuing any treatment. Consult a licensed physician to determine whether regenerative medicine is appropriate for your specific condition.