Dr. Drew Timmermans

Dr. Drew Timmermans Naturopathic Doctor striving to address the root causes of chronic pain

I specialize in orthobiologic injections such as PRP therapy, platelet lysate, stem cell therapy, and ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection. Since 2015 I've treated 1,500+ cases and performed 10,000+ injections, and we track outcomes in a national registry so I can share real data, not marketing hype.

While it is amazing to see new procedures and techniques such as PRP and stem cell therapy, we still have to think about...
04/30/2026

While it is amazing to see new procedures and techniques such as PRP and stem cell therapy, we still have to think about the whole person.

If your mitochondria aren’t working efficiently, improving this could help your chronic pain symptoms.

If your fascia and extracellular matrix (ECM) aren’t sliding well and are dehydrated, improving this could help your chronic pain symptoms.

If you’re also dealing with chronic infections such as EBV, CMV, or even Lyme, this could be having a huge impact on your chronic pain.

In my opinion, we are still a little too focused on trying to find the single magic bullet to treat the singular cause of chronic pain, and while this is often better than the conventional approach, it still misses the mark.

04/29/2026

Chronic nerve pain and neurogenic inflammation (technically two different things) can be the root cause of pain, or just a symptom of a deeper underlying cause. This is crucially important because we should always be looking to treat the deeper root causes of pain and not just treating the symptoms. Changes in fascial movement, mobility, tension, and density can change tension, stress, and strain on peripheral nerves, which can create the perception of pain through various mechanisms, one of which is neurogenic inflammation. Regular exercise, mobility work, and proper hydration are just some of the basic things that can have huge impacts on your fascial mechanics and health, but when this isn't enough, it's important that you seek out a healthcare provider who is able to properly assess both your nerves and your fascial tissue, and then if these are part of the problem they have targeted treatment for these areas.

04/28/2026

Most people stay inside the insurance system because it feels safe.

It feels familiar. Predictable. “Covered.”

But when you’re still in pain after more meds, more cortisone, and more surgery, you start to realize the “safe” option is actually keeping you stuck.

Stepping outside insurance can feel scary. Paying out of pocket is never anyone’s first choice. But your money isn’t more valuable than your ability to walk, sleep, play, work, or live without pain.

Sometimes real healing requires stepping away from what’s covered and choosing what actually works.

Your pain is costing you far more than the treatment ever will.

04/27/2026

Many chronic pain patients are treated based solely on imaging findings, even though imaging does not show pain. A disc herniation or tendon tear can exist without causing symptoms, while nearby joints or nerves are the true pain generators. A complete evaluation uses history and physical exam to identify which structures reproduce the patient’s pain, such as facet joints or the SI joint in low back pain. If treatment is directed only at what the MRI shows, like an epidural around a disc, and not at the actual pain-generating structures, the outcome is often a “failed” response that stems from an inaccurate diagnosis, not necessarily from the treatment itself.

04/27/2026

While I specialize in using needles to help patients suffering in chronic pain, I would be doing all of them a disservice if it was just for temporary relief. While injections can get you out of the hole (and sometimes for a very long time), the conditions that led to that breakdown need to be addressed in the long run if we want to see true long lasting improvements. Finding the weak links in the chain is just as important as fixing the broken links.

04/22/2026

And there have also been times when I have had the same herniated disc and annular tissue and been in extreme pain.

The difference is not that I have these changes in the discs. The difference is in the inflammatory status of the discs and associated nerves, the hypersensitivity of my tissues that my brain is perceiving, and my perception of what those signals mean.

How have I gotten to a point of currently being pain free 97% of the time? Orthobiologic injections such as PRP and stem cell therapy, supplements and peptides, and proper physical therapy and strength training. I didn’t get here by just waiting around, I took action.

04/21/2026

Fear avoidance is a common issue among those suffering from chronic pain. The fear of exacerbating pain can lead to inactivity, which in turn can contribute to muscle weakness, joint stiffness, and reduced overall functionality. This avoidance behavior creates a cycle where fear leads to inactivity, which then leads to more pain, perpetuating the chronic pain experience.

Annie O'Connor's Stop Light model is a helpful tool in managing this fear, which is what we use with our patients. It uses the metaphor of traffic lights to help patients gauge their pain levels during exercise and determine appropriate actions:

1. Green Light: Indicates safe pain levels. Minor discomfort or pain that eases with continued movement falls into this category. It suggests that it is okay to continue with the activity as planned.
2. Yellow Light: Represents caution. Pain that is more intense but still tolerable, and might increase slightly with activity, suggests the need to modify the exercise. Slowing down, reducing intensity, or altering the activity might be necessary while monitoring how the pain responds.
3. Red Light: Signifies stop. Severe pain or pain that sharply increases with activity requires immediate cessation. This level of pain indicates that the activity might be harmful, and it is crucial to stop and consult with a healthcare provider.

By utilizing this model, patients can better understand and manage their pain during exercise, ensuring that they are not avoiding beneficial activities out of fear. Working closely with a healthcare provider, patients can learn to differentiate between pain that signals harm and pain that is part of the healing process, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a path toward pain resolution.

04/14/2026

Look, this is a hard concept to talk about, because most often we have our stories about our pain because medical professionals that we trusted have given them to us.

This is not an easy thing to navigate, so the point of this post is more to try and get people to step back and go “oh, maybe the story I’m telling myself isn’t the whole truth”.

And then, once you think it’s possible that there may be more to the story, you can start to explore that.

04/09/2026

The Stoplight Model is a framework designed to guide individuals with chronic pain or recovering from injuries on how to exercise safely. It categorizes exercise responses into three colors: Green Light (tolerable discomfort, indicating safe to proceed), Yellow Light (mild pain increase, caution advised), and Red Light (intolerable pain, indicating the need to stop or modify the exercise). This model helps in making informed decisions about exercise intensity and modifications, aiming to optimize recovery and performance without exacerbating pain.

🟢 Green Light: Indicates exercises causing tolerable discomfort, suggesting it's safe to proceed without modification.

🟡 Yellow Light: Points to a mild increase in pain, advising caution and possibly necessitating adjustments to the exercise routine.

🔴 Red Light: Represents intolerable pain, signaling the need to stop or significantly alter the activity to prevent further harm.

Using this stoplight model can help you navigate if/when you should be adjusting your exercise.

04/08/2026

Not sure what can be done to improve your baseline level of health?

Here are 12 things to consider:

1️⃣ Pick heavy things up then put them back down again
2️⃣ Drink water
3️⃣ Eat more foods found in nature
4️⃣ Laugh with friends
6️⃣ Get more sunlight
7️⃣ Breathe mainly through your nose
8️⃣ Spend more time in nature
9️⃣ Deepen your spiritual relationship with God
🔟 Sleep as much as you can
🕚 Foster your closest and most intimate relationships
🕛 Love yourself

04/07/2026

Nerve hydrodissection uses a precisely guided needle and fluid pressure to open the tight fascial planes around an irritated nerve. Rather than temporarily numbing the area, the goal is to mechanically separate the nerve from tissues that are compressing or trapping it along a meaningful segment of its course. This technique can be applied to common nerve entrapments such as carpal tunnel syndrome and can incorporate injectates like D5W, PRP, stem cells, platelet lysate, or A*M.

04/07/2026

True healing often involves a holistic approach that extends beyond temporary solutions like specific procedures or therapies. It encompasses daily efforts in maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, ensuring quality sleep, and nurturing emotional well-being. These lifestyle choices play a crucial role in long-term health and recovery, addressing not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of health issues. By focusing on these foundational aspects of health, individuals can foster more sustainable and profound healing.

Yes, procedures can be helpful at dramatically getting you out of pain and reclaiming your life, but you can’t rely on those forever.

Address

726 N Greenfield Road, Suite 101
Gilbert, AZ
85234

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14805084226

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Our Story

Regenerative Performance is an integrative medical practice that helps high achieving people perform at their peak by utilizing unique and innovative approaches designed to improve cognitive and athletic performance, attain desired body composition and aesthetics and help the body to regenerate to heal from injuries and eliminate pain.

Regenerative Performance has 5 main facets: 1) Regenerative Medicine, including prolotherapy, PRP and Stem Cell Therapy 2) Cognitive Enhancement, for those looking to improve their mental capacity and fortitude 3) Sports Performance, for everyone from Weekend Warriors to Professional Athletes 4) Axis Performance, specifically designed for people who have hormone imbalances 5) Aesthetics, including PRP facials and customized regiments to prevent and reverse the signs of aging

Dr. Timmermans and his team have a deep passion for helping people regain what they have lost, whether that’s the ability to play sports, run around with their grandkids, or build their business as an entrepreneur.