On October 10, we joined the world in recognizing World Mental Health Day. For us, it’s also a meaningful reminder that mental health and chronic pain are deeply connected.

At Regenexx Cayman, we often see the emotional impact of chronic pain on our patients – it can drain energy, fuel anxiety, and make even simple activities feel out of reach.

For one of our patients, Kirsty Dies, that struggle was all too familiar – until she found Regenexx-C, a non-surgical treatment for chronic pain and orthopedic conditions. Our advanced stem cell therapy provided her with lasting relief…and the results speak for themselves.

“What people sometimes don’t understand is the impact of mental health when you’re going through chronic pain. For about 22 years, I went through episodes where my back would go.

That first hit for me happened simply, I was picking up a bucket and it was gone, and I spent two weeks in my bed, and I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even move my legs…I was the most terrified I’ve ever been in my life.

[I] Came over to Grand Cayman, beautiful island, and I got the treatment done, and WOW was it ever life changing! I took up horse riding again, I was playing ice hockey, I was playing tackle football with the boys – it’s been amazing. My mental health is bang on now, no darkness, which is phenomenal, and my life has changed.” – Kirsty Dies, Regenexx-C patient

Kirsty wasn’t only coping with chronic pain – she was also carrying the emotional weight that often comes with it: fear, exhaustion, and a loss of confidence.

Post-procedure, as pain fades and movement returns, patients describe not only physical relief, but also a renewed sense of strength, joy, and freedom.

For more inspiring stories like Kirsty’s, explore Regenexx Cayman patient testimonials – real people sharing real results.

The connection between mental health and chronic pain is clear – yet it’s often overlooked in traditional care. Research shows that about 40% of adults living with chronic pain experience significant symptoms of depression or anxiety¹ – rates far higher than those without ongoing pain.

Many people spend years cycling through temporary fixes – from pain medication to steroid injections (and everything in between). Ideally, the goal isn’t just temporary relief, it’s about moving freely again, feeling at ease in your body, and rebuilding trust in your ability to live life fully. As movement returns, the mind often begins to heal too.

At Regenexx Cayman, our goal is to help patients restore both physical function and emotional wellbeing through regenerative medicine for chronic pain.

For many people living with chronic pain, life becomes a cycle of appointments, short-term relief, and recurring flare-ups. Regenexx-C offers something different: a way to break that cycle by targeting the root cause of pain, helping the body heal itself, and providing lasting relief.

Regenexx-C is a non-surgical, cultured stem cell procedure available exclusively at Regenexx Cayman. It uses a patient’s own bone marrow–derived stem cells, which are expanded in our certified Cayman laboratory, generating up to 1,000 times more cells than typical same-day procedures available in the U.S. More cells can mean more potential healing power, which can be particularly helpful for people managing arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or other long-term orthopedic conditions. At Regenexx Cayman, every patient receives a personalized treatment plan designed to support repair, reduce pain, and restore joint stability – all without surgery.

For people managing chronic or degenerative conditions, healing is often a journey that requires ongoing care. For patients who choose Regenexx-C, treatment includes complimentary stem cell storage for the first year.

If pain returns or a new orthopedic injury occurs, patients’ cryogenically preserved cells can be used for treatment – with no additional bone marrow draw required. Most patients have enough cells stored for multiple procedures in the future, and these cells can be preserved indefinitely.

This approach offers peace of mind to anyone navigating long-term pain or multi-joint conditions, knowing their own cells are ready for treatment, whenever needed.

Traditional orthopedic surgery can involve long recovery times, higher complication risks, and limited outcomes – especially for those managing multiple joint issues.

Regenexx-C offers a non-surgical alternative for chronic pain, using a patient’s own cultured stem cells to support repair and regeneration of damaged tissue. By addressing the underlying cause of pain rather than masking symptoms, many patients experience lasting relief, improved mobility, and a return to the activities they love – all without the downtime of surgery. Here’s a list of the most commonly treated conditions using our advanced PRP and stem cell therapy.

We believe patients deserve transparency, as well as research and data they can trust. Our Regenexx-C outcome data represents cases currently being tracked in the Regenexx Registry – a cumulative record of all injuries and conditions treated within each joint category. This analysis was completed in February 2025.

  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of only 1.5/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 82%.
  • Overall improvement: 18 months post-procedure patients report a 49% overall improvement.
  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of 1.8/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 77%.
  • Overall improvement: 2 years post-procedure patients report a 53% overall improvement.
  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of 1.3/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 63%.
  • Overall improvement: 18 months post-procedure patients report a 60% overall improvement.
  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of 1.1/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 84%.
  • Overall improvement: 3 years post-procedure patients report a 74% overall improvement.
  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of 1.1/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 93%.
  • Overall improvement: 3 years post-procedure patients report an 85% overall improvement.
  • Pain: 1-year post-procedure patients report a pain score of 1.4/10.
  • Function: 2 years post-procedure patients report a function score of 70%.
  • Overall improvement: 3 years post-procedure patients report a 76% overall improvement.

These outcomes highlight what we see every day at Regenexx Cayman – lasting pain relief, restored movement, and renewed quality of life for people living with chronic conditions.

  • Pain: Across all joints, patients reported pain scores between 1.1 and 1.8 out of 10 one year after treatment – showing a significant, lasting reduction in chronic pain.
  • Function: Average function scores improved to 70–93% within two years, helping patients move more freely and return to the activities they enjoy.
  • Overall Improvement: Three years after treatment, patients reported up to an 85% overall improvement – meaningful, long-term progress impacting both physical and emotional recovery.

Like all medical procedures, Regenexx treatments have both success and failure rates, and individual results can vary. Across all joints, the results show measurable, lasting improvement in pain, function, and overall improvement for many patients.

Living with chronic pain can keep your body – and your mind – in a constant state of alert. But small, gentle habits can help bring your system back to balance.

Here are a few simple ways to calm your nervous system and support your body’s natural healing process.

  1. Mindful breathing – Try a breathwork app like Breathwrk or Othership for guided techniques that slow the heart rate and ease tension.
  1. Meditation – Apps like Insight Timer offer free guided meditations for pain, anxiety, and sleep.
  2. Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) often called “tapping” – Gentle tapping on pressure points can help release anxiety and calm the body’s stress response. Consider an app, such as Tapping Solution.
  3. Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) – Alternately tensing and relaxing muscles helps reduce chronic tension. New to PMR? This YouTube video will walk you through a short practice.
  4. Grounding – Spend time outdoors, walk barefoot, or focus on sensory details around you to re-center your mind and stay present.
  5. Cold exposure – A gentle ice bath for the face or cold splash of water can activate the vagus nerve, helping regulate stress and inflammation.
  6. Movement – Gentle walking, swimming, or yoga can increase circulation, support mobility, and improve your mood.
  7. Heal your gut – The gut and brain are closely connected, so supporting your gut can also help calm the mind. Focus on balanced meals, whole foods, staying hydrated, and adding probiotic-rich food (like yogurt, sauerkraut, or kefir).
  8. Therapy and support – Apps like Ash or speaking with a licensed therapist can help you process emotions and build coping strategies.
  9. Faith or prayer – Spiritual practice can offer comfort, perspective, and strength through every stage of healing – and beyond.

Small, consistent actions can make a meaningful difference, especially when paired with medical care designed to help your body heal. Please note: These general wellness tips are intended for informational purposes only and may not be suitable for everyone, particularly those experiencing severe or chronic pain. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new activity, therapy, or lifestyle change.

World Mental Health Day is a powerful reminder that pain isn’t just physical, it’s emotional too.

  • If you’re living with chronic pain and feel like you’ve tried everything, you’re not alone.
  • If you’ve been told that surgery is your only option, you’re not alone.
  • If years of pain have left you feeling hopeless, you’re not alone.

We understand and we’re here for you. At Regenexx Cayman, we offer evidence-based, non-surgical options that aim to restore both mobility and hope.

Because when the body heals, the mind can too.

Discover how regenerative medicine may help you move more freely, ease chronic pain, and feel like yourself again. Contact us today: info@regenexxcayman.ky or 1-877-211-3834 (U.S. toll-free).

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