By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Dextrose prolotherapy is one of the oldest regenerative injection therapies still in use today, yet most patients have never heard of it. The concept is simple: inject a concentrated sugar solution into or around a damaged joint to trigger the body’s natural healing response. But does the science actually support this approach for knee arthritis ? In this post, we review the clinical trial ev

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2026 · 12 min read Watch the Full Video Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points are among the most common — and most commonly missed — causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain. In my sports medicine practice, I regularly evaluate patients who have seen multiple providers, undergone extensive imaging, completed months of physical therapy, and sometimes even had surgery — all without relief — because the underlying myofascial tri

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Tennis elbow — clinically known as lateral epicondylitis or lateral elbow tendinopathy — is one of the most common causes of elbow pain. It develops when the common extensor tendon in the forearm is subjected to repetitive overuse or overloading, leading to microtears that weaken the tendon over time. The result is chronic pain, reduced grip strength, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma ( PRP ) injections have become a widely studied treatment option for tendon conditions such as tennis elbow, fascial problems such as plantar fasciitis, and joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. PRP is increasingly used as a first-line therapy because it is both safe and effective. However, one often-overlooked factor that can significantly influence your outcomes is t

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 6, 2025 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Myofascial pain syndrome and trigger points are among the most common causes of chronic musculoskeletal pain, affecting an estimated 85% of patients who visit chronic pain clinics. Despite how widespread this condition is, effective treatment remains a challenge for many patients and clinicians alike. Traditional management typically involves soft tissue modalities such as massage, acupunctur

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common and frustrating musculoskeletal conditions encountered in clinical practice. Characterized by painful trigger points within taut bands of skeletal muscle, it can significantly diminish quality of life and prove remarkably difficult to manage. Clinicians have long relied on a multimodal approach — combining heat therapy, cardiovascular and res

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 7 min read Watch the Full Video Muscle pain is one of the most overlooked contributors to knee osteoarthritis symptoms. When patients visit their doctor for knee pain, the evaluation typically focuses on the joint itself — the bones, cartilage, ligaments, and meniscus . But the muscles surrounding the knee are rarely examined, and research suggests they may be responsible for a substantial portion of the pain that patients

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 6 min read Watch the Full Video Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen are among the most commonly recommended medications for knee osteoarthritis . They can take the edge off a painful flare, but they come with a long list of potential side effects — gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, elevated blood pressure, and cardiovascular complications — risks that climb steeply in the older adults who

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 5 min read Watch the Full Video Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common causes of hand pain and numbness, affecting millions of people each year. Injections are frequently used to provide symptom relief, but which type of injection delivers the best results? A systematic review and network meta-analysis compared three injection options — platelet-rich plasma (PRP) , dextrose prolotherapy, and corticosteroids — to

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Turmeric and curcumin have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. Only recently has Western medicine begun to explore the surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties attributed to curcumin, including its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. But does the evidence support these claims? In this article, we review the results of several re

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Boswellia serrata is a remarkable herb derived from the Frankincense tree with a rich history spanning thousands of years in both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Its active compounds, known as boswellic acids, possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that have attracted increasing scientific interest in recent decades. Beyond its traditional uses, modern clinical

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 30 min read Watch the Full Video Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have generated significant attention for their ability to treat joint pain, tendon injuries, and accelerate recovery using your body’s own healing mechanisms. But with growing interest comes a flood of questions: Does PRP actually work? How does it compare to cortisone or stem cells? Is the cost justified when insurance does not cover it? In this compreh

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Cortisone injections have been a staple of musculoskeletal medicine for decades. They are fast, relatively inexpensive, and can deliver meaningful short-term pain relief for conditions ranging from arthritis to tendinitis and bursitis. But what does the clinical evidence actually say about the long-term consequences of cortisone shots on your tendons and joints? In my practice as a sports me

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Arthritis affects millions of people worldwide, and many patients are looking for natural approaches to manage their pain, stiffness, and loss of function. While there is no shortage of supplements marketed for joint health, the quality of evidence behind most of them is surprisingly thin. In my practice as a sports medicine physician , three supplements consistently rise to the top when I re

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 5, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video CBD products have rapidly expanded from specialty clinics to mainstream health stores, with consumers turning to them for pain relief, anxiety management, and sleep support. But does topical CBD — in the form of creams, lotions, and oils — actually deliver on its promises? As a sports medicine physician , I frequently encounter patients asking whether CBD is worth trying for conditions like a

By Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD · Published March 4, 2026 · 8 min read Watch the Full Video Red light therapy and low-level laser therapy are increasingly being used to treat a wide range of painful conditions, from osteoarthritis and tendonitis to chronic neck and back pain. These treatments fall under the broader category of photobiomodulation (PBM), and they are emerging as safe, drug-free alternatives for managing pain and reducing inflammation. In this article, I review the la

Written by Dr. Jeffrey Peng, MD — Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician Published: March 2, 2026 | Last Updated: March 2, 2026 Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy has gained significant attention in recent years as a non-invasive treatment option for chronic pain and musculoskeletal conditions. Many of my patients ask about PEMF, and it is one of the most common questions I receive in my video comments. In my practice as a sports medicine physician in the San Fra