For years, horses have benefited from advanced treatments like stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Now, it’s time for their riders, trainers and owners to access similar regenerative medicine treatment options, according to Dr. Saulis Banionis of Palm Beach Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine in Wellington.
Banionis, a board-certified expert in stem cell and PRP therapies for regenerative medicine, is among the few physicians in South Florida with a fellowship in stem cell therapy. He has extensive experience in this cutting-edge technology, which he has passionately pursued since regenerative medicine’s early days more than 16 years ago. Learning directly from industry pioneers, Banionis quickly recognized its transformative potential.
His passion for regenerative medicine became personal after his own knee surgery, which inspired him to seek alternative solutions for his patients.
“I wanted to provide patients with the opportunity to harness the healing power of regenerative medicine to maintain an active lifestyle and avoid the complications and restrictions of surgery,” he explained.
In addition to his work with patients, Banionis holds multiple board certifications in internal medicine, interventional pain, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine. He has trained fellow physicians in stem cell harvesting techniques through A4M, the organization where he first achieved certification, and collaborated with the Florida and American Societies of Interventional Pain Physicians to refine these methods. He has also served as a medical expert in regenerative medicine for the Florida Department of Health.
“Stem cells improve injury repair by significantly improving the concentration of your body’s healing properties at the site of the injury,” he explained. “This reduces inflammation and allows the tissue to heal naturally while reducing scar formation. This is particularly important for equestrians, who are elite athletes needing peak physical condition and minimal lingering pain to perform optimally.”
Stem cell therapy involves harvesting the patient’s own stem cells and injecting them into areas of injury or degeneration. These stem cells, naturally present in the body, play an essential role in maintaining healthy tissues and organs. Banionis’s approach combines traditional interventional methods with cutting-edge regenerative techniques like stem cell therapy and PRP to help patients maximize functionality. His clinic is also highly skilled in minimally invasive procedures that use live imaging, such as fluoroscopy and ultrasound-guided needle techniques. This precision allows for accurate delivery of medications and biological products to damaged tissues, encouraging the body’s natural healing processes.
“Supporting equestrians in maintaining peak physical health enables them to compete at their highest level,” Banionis said. “Our team understands the unique bond between horse and rider, so we focus on helping riders stay in optimal health to excel in their sport.”
Learn more about Dr. Saulis Banionis at www.pbantiaging.com.
