Clearwater, FL - (727) 462-5582
Beverly Hills, CA - (310) 975-7033

How Weightlifting Affects Your Joints

How (PRP) can help Tampa, Fl

As we age, our joints do not heal and repair as efficiently as when we were younger.

Weightlifting and bodybuilding can place excessive loads on the joints due to repetitive motion, heavy weight, lack of flexibility, improper form and not warming up properly.

Avid weightlifters and bodybuilders who sustain joint injuries are disappointed as they often find that taking time off from training to heal properly may result in loss of hard gained muscle. Treatment strategies to expedite recovery, promote healing and regeneration are sought after to allow minimal time away from the gym. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Stem Cell Therapy may be viable treatment options for these athletes.

PRP for Weightlifters

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) incorporates spinning the patients blood in a centrifuge and concentrating the bloods platelets to deliver an abundant supply of healing growth factors to the injured joint. PRP has been used by many elite athletes in a variety of sports to enhance recovery and repair especially the knee joint. This treatment with PRP has also been used as an alternative to joint surgery for many athletes including knee, hip, and shoulder problems.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy is a more complex treatment in it’s healing response. Not only does stem cell treatment use the bodies growth factors found in the PRP, the stem cells can direct other cells to participate in the recovery and regeneration process. The stem cells are powerful master control signalers, directing communication between cells and actually migrating or homing towards injured cells.

Arthritis in Weightlifters

Aging weight lifters and bodybuilders, are no less enthusiastic about their sport and discipline. However years of repetitive strain, prior injury (or trauma), or genetics may have lead to the development of joint arthritis. Shoulder and knee degenerative or osteoarthritis are common problems in older lifters. Arthritis medications (anti-inflammatories) may alleviate pain short term, but do not alter the degenerative cascade pathway. Thus the more lifting in a worn arthritic joint, the more progression of the arthritis. Not a conducive scenario for maintaining that sport and feeling no joint pain.

Lighter weights have been advocated with aging to protect the joints. Another strategy when early arthritis affects working out and the goal is to repair and regenerate, and allowing continued weightlifting, is to use regenerative therapies such as Platelet Rich Plasma or Stem Cell Therapy to repair, diminish joint inflammation and stop the progression of degeneration. It is possible to modulate the local cell inflammatory mediators through the use of these regenerative therapies and stay active in the gym lifting weights and maintaining a bodybuilding philosophy why protecting and repairing your joints.

Dennis M. Lox, MD, has treated many athletes, including body builders and weight lifters from all over the world. Contact his office to schedule a consultation.


Dr. Lox

Whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or have arthritis from aging, Dr. Lox can help. Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is an internationally renown Sports and Regenerative Medicine specialist. Dr. Lox incorporates Regenerative Medicine techniques such as cell science applications, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), and Tissue Engineering aspects, to help patients from around the world with a vast array of problems. Dr. Lox is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Lox lectures extensively and has edited two PM&R textbooks, the prestigious A State of the Art Review (Star) on Low Back Pain, and Soft Tissue Injuries: Diagnosis and Treatment. Dennis M. Lox, M.D. maintains an active practice in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, and in Beverly Hills, California.

Are You Looking to Avoid Surgery?

If you haven't found joint relief should schedule a personal consultation with Dennis M. Lox, M.D., to learn if you are able to get joint relief without the need for invasive surgery.

Stem Cell Therapy in Clearwater, FL and Beverly Hills, CA

Dr. Lox treats the Tampa Bay Metro Area including Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa , Pinellas Park, Palm Harbor, Orlando and Sarasota as well as the Los Angeles Metro Area including Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.

Call our office in Clearwater, FL or Beverly Hills, CA to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Lox.

Clearwater, Florida Office

2030 Drew St.
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 462-5582

Beverly Hills, California Office

450 N Roxbury Dr. #602
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 975-7033

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*DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, those performed by Dennis Lox, M.D. have a success and failure rate. Patient reviews and testimonials on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else.