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The Regenexx Approach For Disc Tears In Phoenix, Arizona

16620 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85032

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Are You a Regenexx Candidate

Spinal discs act as natural cushions between the vertebrae in your spine, helping to absorb impact and allow for mobility. Each disc has a durable outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus, and a softer inner core called the nucleus pulposus. The annulus can tear over time due to repetitive strain, injury, or general wear, sometimes leading to significant pain, and although many are asymptomatic, they are more likely to be painful if you’re under age 50.

At Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center in Phoenix, annular disc tears are carefully evaluated, as they can sometimes be misclassified under degenerative disc disease (DDD). To confirm a disc tear as the source of pain, a specialized test known as a discogram is used. During this procedure, controlled pressure is applied to the disc to assess pain reproduction.

While some disc tears may improve with time, rest, and conservative care, the affected area can remain vulnerable to reinjury or ongoing degeneration.

Traditional medical approaches often include:

  • High-dose epidural steroid injections: These may offer short-term pain relief but carry the risk of side effects and may suppress your body’s natural healing processes.
  • Spinal fusion surgery: Fuses two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine, but studies have shown limited long-term effectiveness. Approximately 25% of spinal fusion patients report complications, and many develop adjacent segment disease (ASD), which increases stress on nearby spinal levels.

That’s why we offer a different approach at Active Life Physical Medicine & Pain Center.

16620 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032

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Doctors

As the medical director and founder of Active Life Physical Medicine and Pain Center, Innovative Surgery Center, and Regena Spa, Dr. Lundquist has great enthusiasm toward regenerative medicines and a special interest in sports medicine and pain. She loves her work and feels blessed to be entrusted to help patients by alleviating painful ailments.

Her desire is to uncover methods that are more healing and less of a “band aid,” which has led her to become a leader in regenerative medicine technologies. She feels strongly about the importance of seeking methods to help alleviate pain on every level – holistically.

Originally a massage therapist and, later, an osteopath, she has a strong foundation to alleviate patient’s pain. She is a “hands on” physician who implements osteopathic techniques when appropriate with other tools.

She is dual board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation along with pain management, as well as a diplomat with the American Board of Pain Medicine.

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Dr. Bonilla is a double board certified physician (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interventional Pain Management) with over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions and spine injuries in the state of Arizona. Dr. Bonilla prides himself on using the most important tools in Physical Medicine, listening carefully to his patient, and using his hands to perform a careful physical exam. He thoroughly educates his patients on their conditions and treatment options and is a very caring and personable physician, always ensuring his patients are as comfortable as possible.

Dr. Bonilla’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Materials Science Engineering from Alfred University in New York. He initially worked as a production engineer for DuPont Electronic Materials Inc. for four years. Although he enjoyed his work as an engineer, his passion was always in medicine. As an avid and passionate skateboarder, Dr. Bonilla witnessed and suffered many injuries in his younger years. He witnessed first hand how devastating injuries could be on an active person and he decided to switch careers and study medicine to be able to help people who suffer life changing injuries. Being born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Bonilla attended and graduated from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. He then moved to Pittsburgh, PA to complete his internship at UPMC-Mercy Hospital, followed by his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Bonilla has been performing Regenerative Medicine for more than 18 years. He is trained and highly experienced in the use of ultrasound and fluoroscopy guided injections. He is also trained in the use of PRP and bone marrow concentrate, which contains your own stem cells, to promote the body’s natural ability to heal. Dr. Bonilla works part time at the Phoenix VA Hospital and enjoys helping Veterans with their musculoskeletal issues. He is married and has one son, currently serving as an US Army Honor Guard. He also has 3 step children and 2 grandchildren. As a passionate Mountain Biker for the last 20 years, Dr. Bonilla understands first hand how an injury can affect an individual’s lifestyle. He also enjoys traveling and exploring the outdoors.

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Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Hip, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

*This provider is NOT authorized by Regenexx to treat the C0-C1 or C1-C2 levels of the neck or CCI (craniocervical instability).

At our Phoenix clinic, Regenexx procedures provide a non-surgical, image-guided option to treat disc tears using your body’s natural healing agents.

Our outpatient procedures use Regenexx injectates, which may include:

  • Super-concentrated Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Created from your blood
  • Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC): Containing stem cells, harvested from your marrow

These injectates are carefully delivered to the area of injury to support healing, reduce pain, and preserve spinal integrity.

Benefits include:

  • Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure
  • Little to no need for opioid pain medications
  • Shorter recovery time compared to surgery
  • Personalized treatment based on your specific condition
Am I a candidate?

Watch how a physician in the licensed Regenexx network performs a spinal procedure using Regenexx injectates.

The goal is to use the least invasive, least expensive procedure to get the desired results. The physician will work with you to determine the most appropriate orthobiologic.

Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network are dedicated to giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your best treatment option.

During your initial appointment, a physician will perform an exhaustive evaluation to identify the root cause of your pain by utilizing a full range of motion test, SANS evaluation, and advanced ultrasound imaging when needed. Once the evaluation is completed, your doctor will determine if the Regenexx approach is right for you and will discuss your customized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

Am I a candidate?

Join Dr. Chris Centeno, founder of Regenexx, for a free webinar exploring how Regenexx procedures may help relieve back pain from disc tears, without surgery.

During this free webinar, you’ll learn:

  • How do procedures using bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compare to surgery and other spine pain treatment options
  • Procedure expectations
  • Answers to the most common questions about regenerative medicine treatments
Watch Webinar
Mature couple looking at tablet with smile on face while watching a webinar

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Please note our procedures are only covered by self-funded health plans at this time.

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What about health insurance or medical benefits? What may be covered or reimbursed depends on the details of your plan. Insurance typically covers evaluations and diagnostic testing (if recommended) but most do not cover Regenexx Procedures. Some Employer specific Regenexx Benefits plans do also cover Regenexx Procedures. Your plan’s representative can help verify your benefits, out-of-pocket costs, and coverage.

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