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Sarah couldn’t sleep. Again. The throbbing in her lower back from the car accident three years ago was bad enough, but every spike of pain brought her right back to that moment of impact—the sound of crushing metal, the smell of airbags, the terror. Her doctor prescribed more painkillers. Her therapist suggested more coping strategies. But nobody seemed to understand that her pain and trauma weren’t two separate problems—they were one interconnected nightmare.
If Sarah’s story sounds familiar, you’re not alone. At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, we see it every day: the devastating dance between chronic pain and PTSD that keeps you trapped in an endless cycle of suffering.
The Vicious Cycle Nobody Talks About
Here’s what your doctors might not have told you: when you have both chronic pain and PTSD, they’re not just coexisting—they’re actively making each other worse. Research shows that 66% of people seeking PTSD treatment also battle chronic pain. But the statistics don’t capture the daily reality you live with.
“Every time I felt pain, it brought me right back to that moment. The anxiety made my muscles tense, which made the pain worse, which triggered more anxiety. I felt completely trapped.” — Maria, Phoenix teacher and car accident survivor
What’s Really Happening in Your Body
Picture your nervous system as a smoke alarm. PTSD cranks that alarm’s sensitivity to maximum—every sensation becomes a potential threat. Now add chronic pain, which sends constant danger signals to your already hypervigilant brain. Your amygdala (the brain’s fear center) goes into overdrive, amplifying every pain signal, while the pain itself triggers traumatic memories and stress responses.
Get Back Your Normal Life Again
As pain specialists, we can guarantee that we are more than qualified in alleviating your pain and treating your condition.
It’s exhausting. It’s overwhelming. And until now, it’s been nearly impossible to treat effectively.
THE PAIN-TRAUMA CONNECTION
TRAUMA STRIKES → Your nervous system goes on high alert → CHRONIC PAIN DEVELOPS → Pain signals trigger trauma memories → INCREASED STRESS → Stress hormones increase inflammation → MORE PAIN → The cycle continues…
Why Traditional Treatment Falls Short
You’ve probably tried it all. Pain medications that leave you foggy but still hurting. Therapy sessions that help you cope but don’t touch the physical pain. Maybe you’ve even been told it’s “all in your head” or that you need to “learn to live with it.”
The problem? These approaches treat your pain and PTSD as separate issues, like trying to bail out a boat while ignoring the hole in the hull.
David, an Afghanistan veteran from Scottsdale, knows this frustration well: “The VA had me on so many pills I couldn’t think straight, but I was still hurting and still having nightmares. They were treating my symptoms, not fixing the problem.”
A Revolutionary Approach: Healing at the Cellular Level
At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, Drs. Khan and Ryklin have spent over a decade perfecting a different approach—one that recognizes the intricate connection between your physical and emotional pain. Their secret weapon? Amniotic stem cell therapy that works on multiple levels simultaneously.
How Stem Cells Break the Cycle
Unlike traditional treatments that mask symptoms, stem cell therapy targets the root causes of both conditions:
Cellular repair meets neural rebalancing. The same stem cells that regenerate damaged tissues also help regulate your overactive stress response. They reduce inflammation throughout your body—the hidden link between chronic pain and PTSD. Plus, they promote the release of natural growth factors that support both physical and neurological healing.
Patient Insight: “For the first time, someone was treating me as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. Dr. Ryklin didn’t just look at my MRI—he asked about my sleep, my anxiety, my whole experience.” — David, Combat Veteran
What Makes Arizona Pain and Spine Institute Different
The Expertise You Deserve
When you’re battling interconnected conditions, you need more than a pain specialist—you need physicians who understand the full picture. Our founders bring unmatched credentials to your care. Both are double board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation AND Pain Management, with fellowship training in interventional pain management and over 10 years pioneering regenerative treatments. They’ve helped hundreds break free from the pain-trauma cycle.
The Quality That Matters
Not all stem cell treatments are created equal. We use only FDA-compliant amniotic stem cells, sourced from an Arizona-based company that follows the strictest safety protocols. These aren’t experimental treatments—they’re proven therapies delivered with precision and care.
DID YOU KNOW?
Recent groundbreaking research from Mount Sinai created the first stem cell model of PTSD, revealing how trauma physically changes your neurons. This isn’t just “in your head”—it’s in your cells, and that’s exactly where our treatment works.
Your Journey to Freedom: What to Expect
The First Step: Understanding Your Unique Situation
Your healing journey begins with a comprehensive consultation where we truly listen. We’ll explore how pain and trauma intersect in your life, review your complete medical history, and explain exactly how stem cell therapy might help your specific situation. No rushed appointments, no one-size-fits-all solutions—just personalized care focused on you.
The Treatment: Comfort and Precision
Forget everything you think you know about medical procedures. Our stem cell therapy is performed in our comfortable outpatient setting—no hospital stays, no general anesthesia, no lengthy recovery. Using advanced ultrasound guidance, we deliver healing cells precisely where they’re needed most. Most patients are in and out within an hour.
The Transformation: What Freedom Feels Like
While everyone’s journey is unique, our patients consistently report life-changing improvements. “Six months after treatment, I’m hiking again and my anxiety has decreased dramatically,” shares Sarah, the teacher whose story opened this article. “I’m not just managing my symptoms—I’m actually healing.”
Many experience decreased pain within weeks, improved sleep quality (finally!), reduced anxiety and hypervigilance, and an overall sense of reclaiming their lives. Perhaps most importantly, many are able to reduce or eliminate medications that were dulling their lives without solving their problems.
The Choice Is Yours
Every morning, you face the same decision: another day in the cycle, or the day you break free. At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, we’ve seen too many people wait too long, suffering needlessly while hope for real healing exists.
From Dr. Khan: “When pain and trauma occur together, they require an integrated approach. That’s why we’re so passionate about regenerative medicine—it offers the possibility of addressing multiple aspects of suffering simultaneously. It’s not just about managing symptoms—it’s about actual healing.”
READY TO BREAK THE CYCLE?
Call (480) 986-7246 today to schedule your consultation at one of our convenient Valley locations:
Our caring team is standing by to answer your questions and help you take the first step toward freedom.
Your Story Doesn’t Have to End with Pain
Right now, you might feel like chronic pain and PTSD have stolen your life. Every day feels like a battle you’re losing. But we’ve seen hundreds of patients rewrite their stories—veterans who thought they’d never sleep peacefully again, accident survivors who believed pain was their permanent reality, people just like you who discovered that healing was possible when they found the right approach.
You’ve already shown incredible strength by surviving what you’ve been through. Now it’s time to do more than survive—it’s time to thrive.
Contact Arizona Pain and Spine Institute at (480) 986-7246. Because breaking the cycle isn’t just possible—it’s a phone call away.
Arizona Pain and Spine Institute specializes in regenerative medicine for complex pain conditions. This article is for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary. Consult with our physicians to determine if stem cell therapy is right for you.