Overview
Phoenix, Arizona has developed into one of the Southwest’s most active markets for regenerative and interventional orthobiologic medicine. The metropolitan area’s rapid population growth, concentration of hospital systems, and established network of orthopedic and pain management specialists have created fertile ground for clinics offering stem cell therapy and related procedures. Patients seeking these treatments arrive from across the state and from neighboring Nevada, New Mexico, and California, drawn by the density of physician-led practices and relatively favorable regulatory environment for FDA-compliant autologous cell therapies.
The conditions driving patients to seek stem cell therapy in Phoenix mirror national trends: chronic joint pain from osteoarthritis, sports injuries that have not resolved with conventional physical therapy, degenerative disc disease in the lumbar and cervical spine, and soft-tissue injuries to tendons and ligaments. For many patients, stem cell therapy represents an attempt to avoid or delay joint replacement surgery, reduce reliance on pain medications, or recover more quickly from musculoskeletal injuries. Phoenix’s active, outdoor-oriented population — including a large retiree community and a significant base of recreational and competitive athletes — sustains consistent demand for non-surgical regenerative options.
Clinic types in the Phoenix market vary considerably. At one end of the spectrum are interventional pain management and physical medicine practices that have incorporated regenerative orthobiologics as one tool within a broader treatment offering that may include epidural injections, radiofrequency ablation, physical therapy, and diagnostic imaging. At the other end are dedicated regenerative medicine centers that focus primarily or exclusively on stem cell and platelet-rich plasma procedures. A third category includes orthopedic surgeon practices that have added regenerative options alongside traditional surgical services. Each model has different implications for how a patient is evaluated, what alternative treatments are considered, and how outcomes are tracked.
When evaluating a stem cell clinic in Phoenix, the most important factors are physician credentials and hands-on involvement, the source and handling of the cell product used, imaging guidance during injection, and whether the practice operates under a protocol with documented follow-up. Autologous bone marrow concentrate harvested from the patient’s own iliac crest is a well-documented approach with a strong safety profile. Allogeneic products derived from umbilical cord tissue or amniotic fluid vary widely in quality and processing standards. Asking whether a physician or a technician performs the injection, whether ultrasound or fluoroscopy is used to confirm placement, and whether a post-procedure imaging and follow-up protocol exists will separate well-structured programs from those offering a commodity procedure.
Top Stem Cell Therapy Clinics in Phoenix
1. Stamp Medical
Address: 3201 W. Peoria Ave., Suite C500-A, Phoenix, AZ 85029
Phone: (623) 773-2000
Website: https://stampmedical.com
About: Stamp Medical is an interventional pain medicine practice operating in Phoenix under the legal entity Arizona Medical & Injury PLLC. The clinic’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) was established in January 2014, reflecting over a decade of operation in the Phoenix market. The practice is led by Medical Director Dr. Cecil Graham, MD, and is affiliated with Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital. Stamp Medical positions its regenerative medicine program around autologous bone marrow concentrate procedures performed with fluoroscopic and ultrasound imaging guidance inside an onsite state-licensed operating room — a facility standard that distinguishes it from clinics that perform injections in standard exam rooms without intraoperative imaging. The clinic also maintains a multi-specialty structure that includes chiropractic and physical medicine services alongside physician-directed regenerative procedures.
Physicians:
- Dr. Cecil C. Graham, MD — Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Medical Director. Dr. Graham earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from West Virginia University School of Medicine, graduating in 1985. He completed an internal medicine internship (1985-1986), an anesthesiology residency (1986-1988), and a Pain Management fellowship (1988-1989), all at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He is affiliated with Arizona Spine and Joint Hospital and has over 40 years of clinical experience. He performs stem cell harvest and injection procedures and speaks both English and Spanish.
Services:
- Autologous Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells are harvested live from the patient’s iliac bone on the day of treatment, processed, and reinjected under C-arm fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance in an onsite state-licensed operating room. Because the cells are the patient’s own, tissue rejection is not a concern.
- Allogeneic Stem Cell Therapy: Donor-derived stem cells matched on human leukocyte antigens (HLA) are available for patients who are not candidates for autologous harvest.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Concentration of the patient’s own platelets to promote soft-tissue healing in joints and around tendons and ligaments.
- Chiropractic Care: Integrated musculoskeletal care coordinated with regenerative procedures.
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services: Post-procedure rehabilitation support.
- Auto Injury Treatment: Evaluation and treatment of injuries arising from motor vehicle accidents, including spine and soft-tissue injuries.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage damage
- Hip pain and labrum-related conditions
- Shoulder injuries including rotator cuff and labral pathology
- Elbow conditions including tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Meniscus tears
- Spine pain including lumbar and cervical disc conditions
- Ligament injuries
- Arthritis and bursitis
- Overuse injuries
- Autoimmune conditions (investigational; per clinic, research ongoing)
- Lung conditions (investigational; per clinic, research ongoing)
Technology and Equipment:
C-arm fluoroscopy and ultrasound imaging are used to guide injection placement. Procedures are performed in an onsite state-licensed operating room. An anesthesiologist manages procedural comfort during bone marrow harvest.
Patient Experience:
Initial contact begins with a phone consultation with the physician. The clinic offers a free MRI script and interpretation if the patient has not yet had imaging. For patients undergoing a second joint treatment on the same visit, Stamp Medical offers the additional procedure at 50% of the standard cost.
2. Active Life Physical Medicine and Pain Center (Regenexx Licensed Provider)
Address: 16620 N. 40th St., Suite D5, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (623) 535-9777
Website: https://activelifepaincenter.com
About: Active Life Physical Medicine and Pain Center was established in 2009 and has treated over 10,000 patients across its Arizona locations. The Phoenix location, situated in the Desert Ridge area, operates as a licensed provider within the Regenexx network — a nationally recognized interventional orthobiologics platform that requires member physicians to complete rigorous third-party training and adhere to patented protocols for cell processing and injection technique. This affiliation means that bone marrow concentrate and platelet products processed at this clinic follow standardized Regenexx laboratory procedures rather than a basic bedside centrifuge approach, resulting in higher-concentration preparations. Founder and Medical Director Dr. Wendi Lundquist, DO, brings a background that spans massage therapy, osteopathic medicine, and fellowship-level training in physical medicine, giving the practice an orientation toward hands-on assessment and holistic pain management alongside interventional procedures. Dr. Bonilla, a double board-certified physician at this location with over 20 years of experience and 18 years performing regenerative procedures, provides additional depth in musculoskeletal and spine care. The clinic accepts new patients and maintains weekday hours from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Thursday and 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM on Fridays.
Physicians:
- Dr. Wendi Lundquist, DO, FAAPMR, DABPM — Founder, Owner, and Medical Director. Dr. Lundquist completed her medical degree at Midwestern University, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. She completed her internship at Doctors Hospital in Massillon, Ohio, and her residency at Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois in 2005, where she served as Chief Resident and participated in research projects. She holds dual board certification in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FAAPMR) and Pain Management, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine (DABPM). She trained originally as a massage therapist before pursuing osteopathic medicine, a background that informs her hands-on examination approach and use of osteopathic manipulation techniques where appropriate.
- Dr. Bonilla, MD — Double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management. Dr. Bonilla has over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions and spine injuries in Arizona, including more than 18 years performing regenerative medicine procedures. He is trained in ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided injections and in the use of PRP and bone marrow concentrate.
Services:
- Regenexx-SD (Stem Cell Procedure): A patented protocol using bone marrow concentrate containing the patient’s own mesenchymal stem cells, processed through the Regenexx laboratory system for higher concentration and consistency than standard bedside processing.
- Regenexx-SCP (Super Concentrated PRP): A proprietary platelet-rich plasma formulation produced through advanced Regenexx lab processing, delivering significantly higher platelet concentration than what a standard bedside centrifuge achieves.
- Regenexx-PL (Platelet Lysate): A highly specialized derivative of PRP used for specific tissue types and injection targets.
- Osteopathic Manipulation: Applied by Dr. Lundquist when clinically appropriate alongside regenerative procedures.
- Diagnostic Evaluation and Imaging: Image-guided assessment to determine candidacy and injection targets.
Conditions Treated:
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Knee ligament injuries
- Meniscal tears
- Hip labral tears
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder labrum tears
- Elbow pain and lateral epicondylitis
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Foot and ankle conditions
- Lumbar spine pain and disc conditions
- Thoracic spine conditions
- Cervical spine pain (excluding upper cervical C0-C1 and CCI)
- General sports injuries and overuse conditions
Technology and Equipment:
Fluoroscopy and ultrasound imaging are used to guide all Regenexx injections. Cell and platelet processing follows Regenexx patented laboratory protocols, which produce higher-concentration preparations than standard point-of-care centrifuges. Physicians undergo mandatory third-party Regenexx training before performing procedures.
Patient Experience:
The clinic operates Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. New patients are accepted. The practice operates on a cash and credit card basis, reflecting the reality that most regenerative orthobiologic procedures are not covered by standard health insurance. Patients are evaluated for candidacy before any procedure is recommended, and individualized treatment plans are developed based on diagnosis, imaging findings, and clinical history.
3. Arizona Comprehensive Pain Management (AZCPM)
Address: 8841 East Bell Road, Suite 101, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Phone: (602) 971-8200
Website: https://www.azcpm.com
About: Arizona Comprehensive Pain Management (AZCPM) is a physician-led interventional pain practice serving the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, including Scottsdale, for over 30 years under Founder and Medical Director Dr. James KellerShabrokh, D.O. The practice combines stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma with a full spectrum of interventional pain procedures, positioning regenerative medicine as one component of a multidisciplinary treatment model that also includes physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation services. AZCPM’s stated philosophy centers on using the body’s own healing mechanisms to repair damaged tissues rather than relying indefinitely on medication management. The clinic maintains weekday hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and serves patients with a range of acute and chronic pain conditions, with particular focus on spine and joint pathology. Its location on the Scottsdale-Phoenix border makes it accessible from the northeastern Phoenix corridor including the Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and Desert Ridge areas.
Physicians:
- Dr. James KellerShabrokh, D.O. — Founder and Medical Director. Dr. KellerShabrokh is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) with a focus on spine, joint, muscle, and nerve injuries. He has over 30 years of experience in pain management and interventional procedures. His DO background emphasizes a whole-person approach to musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment.
Services:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Regenerative cell-based treatment for joint and soft-tissue conditions, using the body’s own healing capacity to address cartilage, ligament, and tendon damage.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: Concentration of the patient’s own growth factors delivered under image guidance to injured tissue.
- Epidural Steroid Injections: Spinal injections for nerve root irritation and disc-related pain.
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Nerve-targeting procedure for facet joint pain and chronic spine conditions.
- Trigger Point Injections: Treatment of myofascial pain and muscle spasm.
- Discseel Procedure: A biologic annular repair procedure for discogenic back pain.
- EMG and Electrodiagnostic Testing: Nerve conduction studies to evaluate nerve and muscle function.
- Rehabilitation Services: Physical therapy and functional restoration integrated with interventional procedures.
- Headache Treatment: Including cervicogenic and musculoskeletal headache management.
- Motor Vehicle Accident Treatment: Evaluation and treatment of injuries from auto accidents.
Conditions Treated:
- Chronic back pain and lumbar disc disease
- Neck pain and cervical spine conditions
- Sciatica and radiculopathy
- Joint pain including knee, hip, and shoulder osteoarthritis
- Herniated and degenerative discs
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuritis and nerve pain
- Arthritis
- Muscle pain and myofascial pain syndrome
- Soft-tissue injuries from motor vehicle accidents
Patient Experience:
The clinic maintains Monday through Friday hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Initial evaluations include a full history and physical focused on pain etiology, imaging review, and a treatment plan discussion. The practice integrates multiple treatment modalities, meaning regenerative procedures are typically considered alongside conservative and interventional alternatives rather than presented as a standalone offering.
What to Know Before Choosing a Stem Cell Clinic in Phoenix
The first question any prospective patient should ask a Phoenix stem cell clinic is who performs the injection and under what imaging guidance. Ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance is not optional for musculoskeletal injections — studies have consistently shown that unguided injections into joints and around tendons have significantly lower accuracy rates. A well-qualified physician should be able to clearly explain which imaging modality they use for which anatomic target and why. If a clinic is vague on this point or suggests that guidance is unnecessary for straightforward joints, that is a significant warning sign. Arizona allows physician assistants and nurse practitioners to perform certain procedures, so confirming that an MD or DO personally performs the injection — not merely supervises from down the hall — is also worth asking directly.
The second area to investigate carefully is the source and preparation of the cell product. In Phoenix, as elsewhere, clinics use everything from the patient’s own bone marrow concentrate (autologous, highest evidence base) to commercial amniotic and umbilical cord products (allogeneic, more variable quality, less evidence for live stem cell content). Ask specifically: are these cells from my own body or a donor product? If autologous, where is the harvest site, how are cells processed, and what is the time between harvest and injection? If allogeneic, ask for the product’s Certificate of Analysis and inquire whether it has been tested for viable cell counts. The FDA regulates these products under 21 CFR Part 1271, and any clinic operating lawfully should be able to discuss how their product complies. Clinics that are evasive about product sourcing should not receive your confidence.
Third, verify physician credentials through primary sources. The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) at abms.org allows free verification of board certification status for MDs. The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) offers equivalent verification for DOs. For physicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation, pain management, or orthopedics, relevant boards include the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Board of Anesthesiology (for pain medicine subspecialty), and the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. A fellowship in pain management, sports medicine, or interventional spine medicine beyond residency training is a meaningful differentiator and worth asking about. State licensure can be verified through the Arizona Medical Board at azmd.gov, which also lists any disciplinary history.
Fourth, ask about the clinic’s follow-up protocol and how they measure outcomes. A serious regenerative medicine practice should schedule post-procedure imaging (typically MRI at 3-6 months) and use validated outcome measures to track pain and function improvement. Clinics that do not have a structured follow-up protocol cannot tell you whether their treatments are working, which means they also cannot improve their approach over time. In Phoenix, where the market includes both high-quality physician-led practices and lower-quality commercial operations, this distinction in follow-up rigor is one of the clearest separators between programs worth considering and those worth avoiding. Ask for the clinic’s approach in writing before committing to treatment.
Disclaimer: This directory is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement. Verify credentials and consult a licensed physician before pursuing any treatment.