If chronic joint pain, arthritis, or a stubborn tendon injury is keeping you from the activities you love, Stem Cell Therapy in Murrysville, PA may be the natural, non-surgical solution you’ve been searching for. At Physique Medical Clinic, Dr. Nicole Burns, DO uses your body’s own healing cells to reduce pain, repair damaged tissue, and restore function — without surgery or extended downtime.
As a trusted stem cell clinic serving Murrysville, Pittsburgh, and the surrounding Westmoreland and Allegheny County communities, we specialize in regenerative orthopedic care built on real clinical evidence, not hype. If you’ve tried physical therapy, medications, or injections without lasting relief, it may be time to explore what regenerative medicine can do for you.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem Cell Therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s own stem cells to help repair damaged joints, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Stem cells are unique because they have the ability to develop into different types of specialized cells and release growth factors that stimulate the body’s natural repair process.
At Physique Medical Clinic, our stem cell treatments are autologous, meaning the cells come from you — not a donor, a lab-grown line, or an overseas source. This keeps the treatment safe, personalized, and free from the risk of rejection. Our primary method of delivering concentrated stem cells is through Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), one of the most well-researched forms of orthobiologic stem cell treatment available today.
How BMAC Stem Cells Are Collected and Used
BMAC Stem Cells (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) are harvested directly from your pelvic bone using a minimally invasive, in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. Here’s what the process looks like:
- Collection – A small sample of bone marrow is drawn from the hip using a thin needle, guided by imaging for precision and comfort.
- Concentration – The sample is spun in a centrifuge to isolate a high concentration of stem cells, growth factors, and regenerative proteins.
- Injection – Using ultrasound guidance, the concentrated stem cells are injected precisely into the damaged joint, tendon, or ligament.
The entire Stem Cell Treatment typically takes about one to two hours, and most patients return to light activity within a few days.
Conditions We Treat with Stem Cell Therapy
Our Regenerative Therapy program is designed for patients dealing with:
- Knee osteoarthritis and cartilage damage
- Hip pain and degeneration
- Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Chronic tendon and ligament injuries
- Sports-related soft tissue injuries
- Early-stage joint arthritis that hasn’t responded to conservative care
Many of our stem cell patients come to us through our Musculoskeletal Care and Sports Medicine programs after exhausting more conservative treatment options. For patients with spine-related pain, our team can also evaluate whether Interventional Spine Treatment may be a better fit alongside or instead of regenerative injections.
Curious how this applies to a specific injury? Read our blog posts on knee cartilage healing with BMAC therapy and treating tennis elbow with PRP and BMAC.
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy
- Non-surgical, minimally invasive alternative to joint replacement or repair surgery
- Uses your own cells — no donor tissue, no rejection risk
- Short in-office procedure with minimal downtime
- Reduces pain and inflammation at the source
- Supports the repair of cartilage, tendon, and soft tissue
- Long-lasting results for many patients, often for several years
- Personalized treatment plans built around your diagnosis and goals
Stem Cell Therapy vs. PRP vs. Muse Stem Cells: What’s the Difference?
Patients researching regenerative medicine often come across several related terms, and it’s easy to get them confused.
Stem Cell Therapy (BMAC) uses cells harvested from your bone marrow, which naturally contains a rich concentration of stem cells and growth factors. This makes it a good option for more significant joint degeneration or cartilage loss.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is derived from your blood rather than bone marrow. PRP is rich in growth factors but does not contain the same concentration of stem cells as BMAC, making it a good option for tendon injuries and milder cases of joint pain.
Muse Stem Cells (multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells) are a newer subject of ongoing clinical research — a naturally occurring subtype of stem cell found in small amounts within bone marrow and other tissue. According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, Muse cells show promise across multiple regenerative applications, but they are not yet an FDA-cleared, standalone clinical treatment. Our BMAC procedure naturally includes the stem cell populations present in your bone marrow, which is currently the most clinically established way to access these regenerative benefits in an office setting.
For a deeper breakdown, read our blog post comparing BMAC vs. PRP in regenerative medicine, or visit our full Regenerative Medicine page to compare all of our orthobiologic options.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Stem Cell Therapy?
You may be a good candidate for Stem Cell Therapy in Murrysville, PA, if you:
- Have chronic joint, tendon, or ligament pain that hasn’t improved with rest, physical therapy, or medication
- Want to avoid or delay surgery
- Have been diagnosed with early to moderate osteoarthritis
- Are an active individual or athlete recovering from a soft tissue injury
- Are looking for a natural, non-surgical treatment option using your own cells
The best way to know if you’re a candidate is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Burns, where your imaging, history, and goals are reviewed in detail.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment
Before treatment: Avoid NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for at least a week prior, stay well hydrated, and arrange for a ride home.
During treatment: The BMAC collection and injection process takes place in-office under local anesthesia and typically takes one to two hours from start to finish.
After treatment: Most patients experience mild soreness or swelling at the injection site for a few days. Rest, ice, and light activity are recommended initially, with many patients easing back into normal activity within a week. Results often develop gradually, with noticeable improvement within a few weeks to three months, and benefits that can last several years.
Meet Your Provider
Stem Cell Therapy at Physique Medical Clinic is performed by Nicole Burns, DO, a dual board-certified physician (AOBPMR and ABOM) with a background in biomedical engineering and tissue engineering research from the University of Pittsburgh. With over a decade of experience in interventional pain management and regenerative medicine, Dr. Burns has treated athletes at the collegiate and professional level and is regularly sought after to train other providers in musculoskeletal and regenerative care. Learn more About Dr. Burns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stem Cell Therapy safe?
Yes. Because BMAC uses your own bone marrow cells, the risk of rejection or allergic reaction is very low. As with any injection-based procedure, mild soreness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site is possible.
Does insurance cover Stem Cell Therapy?
Most insurance plans currently classify Stem Cell Therapy and BMAC as elective procedures and do not provide coverage, though this is evolving. Our team can walk you through pricing and available payment options during your consultation.
How is Stem Cell Therapy different from a cortisone shot?
Cortisone injections reduce inflammation temporarily but do not repair tissue. Stem Cell Therapy is designed to support the body’s own healing and repair process, offering the potential for longer-lasting improvement rather than short-term symptom relief.
What are Muse stem cells, and does Physique Medical Clinic offer them?
Muse cells are a specific, naturally occurring subtype of stem cell being studied in research settings for their regenerative potential. They are not currently offered as a separate, stand-alone clinical treatment. Our BMAC-based Stem Cell Therapy uses the full, natural concentration of regenerative cells present in your own bone marrow.
How many treatments will I need?
Many patients see meaningful improvement after a single BMAC treatment, though some conditions may benefit from a follow-up treatment. This will be discussed during your consultation based on your specific diagnosis.
Where can I get Stem Cell Therapy near Pittsburgh?
Physique Medical Clinic is located in Murrysville, PA, a short drive from Pittsburgh, Monroeville, Greensburg, and the surrounding areas, making it a convenient option for patients throughout the region seeking regenerative orthopedic care.
Schedule Your Stem Cell Therapy Consultation in Murrysville, PA
If you’re ready to explore a natural, non-surgical path to lasting relief, the team at Physique Medical Clinic is here to help. Serving patients throughout Murrysville and greater Pittsburgh, we’ll build a personalized regenerative treatment plan based on your diagnosis, imaging, and goals.
Contact Us Today or call (412) 827-0033 to schedule your consultation.