What Are Peptides and How Could They Benefit Me?

Each year, up to 30 million Americans visit the doctor for treatment of spine problems, like sciatica, back pain, and spinal stenosis. You might assume the best treatment option is surgery or prescription pain medication, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Peptide therapy provides a minimally invasive alternative that works fast.

At Northeast Ohio Spine Center, located in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, minimally invasive spine surgeon, Mark Grubb, MD, regularly prescribes peptide therapy to manage back and neck pain. Here, we explain what peptide therapy is and highlight its healing benefits.

What is peptide therapy?

Peptide therapy uses peptides –– strings of molecules called amino acids –– to promote healing and improve how your body works.

Peptides are the foundation for all proteins in the body. They play a vital role in various functions, including energy and hormone regulation, cell movement, and immune response.

Dr. Grubb often prescribes peptide therapy alongside treatment for musculoskeletal problems, because it relieves pain, speeds healing, and boosts energy. These factors can be very beneficial if you’re recovering from surgery or another orthopedic procedure.

Musculoskeletal conditions peptide therapy can treat

Dr. Grubb prescribes peptide therapy to treat various musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Disc herniation (herniated intervertebral discs)
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck)
• Lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back)
• Radiculopathy (nerve compression/irritation)

Peptide therapy is quick, pain-free, and significantly less risky than minimally invasive and open spine surgery.

What to expect during peptide therapy

Peptide therapy can be incredibly effective, but it isn’t right for everyone. Before recommending this treatment approach, Dr. Grubb completes an initial evaluation. He reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes a physical exam. 

Tell Dr. Grubb if you’ve been diagnosed with an underlying health problem, like diabetes, and whether you take any prescription medication. These factors won’t necessarily prevent you from undergoing treatment, but we must be aware.

If Dr. Grubb determines you can benefit from peptide therapy, he develops a custom treatment plan. Peptide therapy can be administered orally, nasally, or transdermally (with skin patches), but we typically recommend injections. 

Since peptides aren’t very stable, they tend to break down quickly. Peptides administered via injection remain intact longer, making them easier for your body to use. The number of injections you receive depends on various factors, including your general health, the problem being treated, and the severity of your symptoms.

How long does it take for peptide therapy to work?

The time it takes for peptide therapy to work depends on your symptoms and their severity. Some people experience noticeable relief within a week or two of their first injections, but for others, it takes longer.

Dr. Grubb usually recommends a series of peptide injections. The benefits are cumulative, so they add up over time.

See if peptide therapy is right for you

Chronic musculoskeletal pain can be crippling, but you don’t have to suffer. To see if you’re a candidate for peptide therapy, make an appointment at Northeast Ohio Spine Center. Call the office today at (330) 865-6956 or book your visit online.