Business Focus: Paul Mayes, M.D.

Photos by Kelly Sue Photography

The private medical practice of Dr. Paul Mayes is a small but bustling office located in the heart of Conroe at 2129-D West Davis, right next to The Toasted Yolk Café. Dr. Mayes is a physician specializing in treating people suffering from painful medical conditions. Back or joint pain due to normal aging or injury is a debilitating and life altering problem affecting many people. Dr. Mayes utilizes a variety of methods to treat his patients, but his special interest is a new field of study known as “Regenerative Medicine.” According to Dr. Mayes, it allows him to provide a safe and effective treatment to address the root cause of pain, not just treating the symptoms of pain.

Today, there are many approaches to treating patients with painful spine or joint problems which may include physical therapies, medication, or surgical procedures. While these are certainly viable options, each one has its own limitations. Medication only manages the symptoms and may not correct the underlying problem. Another disadvantage of medications is the possibility of drug abuse and addiction. Surgery is sometimes unavoidable, but it can be risky and, due to its invasive nature, the final outcome may be uncertain. Surgical patients can face a long recovery period. Additionally, some patients may not be candidates for surgery. Regenerative Medicine refers to “a strategy whereby the injured site is provided with the raw materials necessary for a repair and regeneration to occur in place. These therapies provide at least one of three components considered necessary for tissue regeneration: cells, growth factors, and scaffold.”

Dr. Mayes has spent many years practicing as a classically trained medical physician. He obtained an undergraduate bachelor of science degree in pharmacy and practiced as a pharmacist. After medical school, he completed a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) and a certified university anesthesiology interventional pain fellowship. He is board certified by the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in PM&R and Pain Medicine. Dr. Mayes has enjoyed over 20 years’ experience, including directing/consulting inpatient medical rehabilitation facilities, and an outpatient office practice where he has employed regenerative injection therapies (RIT) and interventional pain techniques.

The process of Regenerative Injection Therapy (RIT) starts with the injection of one or all three of the components necessary for tissue regeneration into the damaged area, which typically induces an inflammatory process—the body’s natural healing mechanism—to target those weakened and damaged structures. The process may cause mild to moderate stiffness as the inflammatory progression begins. It is a stimulus that activates a natural healing that takes time and focus, with the net result being a desired return to an active, normal lifestyle. Regenerative injection therapy is perfect for those people whose current treatment of focusing on the symptoms rather than the underlying problem has failed them. It is a potential viable alternative to joint replacement surgery or spinal fusion surgery, particularly for those who are not a candidate for surgery or for those who simply desire to avoid the risks of surgery. An added potential benefit is realizing a reduction in the amount or number of drugs consumed to relieve chronic pain, or the possibility of avoiding a reliance on drugs altogether. Many painful spine and musculoskeletal conditions are potential candidates for improvement with regenerative medicine techniques. In addition, a comprehensive plan for recovery and wellness includes a focus on lifestyle, nutrition, and physical rehab.

Although changes are happening all the time in the health insurance industry, health insurances currently do not cover regenerative injection therapies. Because of this, Dr. Mayes makes it a priority to keep the cost of treatments to a minimum. Basic treatment ranges from $150 to $300 per treatment depending on the part of the body targeted and the complexity of treatment. Typically three to six treatments may be required, with healthier patients responding to fewer treatments. Currently his new office has applied to accept Medicare and commercial insurance plans for other covered conventional treatments and office visit charges.

Receptionist Brenda Hutchins welcomes patients ready to find relief

According to the Mayo Clinic website: “Regenerative medicine is a game-changing area of medicine with the potential to fully heal damaged tissues and organs, offering solutions and hope for people who have conditions that are beyond repair. Regenerative medicine itself isn’t new — the first bone marrow and solid-organ transplants were done decades ago.” While RIT is still currently considered cutting-edge and innovative, it has been around for a long time in the form of prolotherapy, popularly utilized in sports medicine. The Mayo Clinic’s website states that, “advances in developmental and cell biology, immunology, and other fields have unlocked new opportunities to refine existing regenerative therapies and develop novel ones.” Dr. Mayes says, “RIT as a therapy option in the eyes of the public is quickly changing. It is no longer being considered as an alternative or complimentary treatment, but increasingly being viewed as a first line therapy.”

Loved and respected by his patients, Dr. Mayes has a unique perspective to bring to his practice; he experienced firsthand the pain of a degenerative spinal injury. Facing surgery to fuse vertebrae in his lower back, Dr. Mayes instead opted to give RIT a try and was delighted with the results. The therapy allowed him to continue to work and even get back to playing golf. That is when Dr. Mayes decided to dedicate his medical practice to providing this innovative technique of healing the body.

Karen Savant, a patient of Dr. Mayes, was very happy with the treatment she received at the clinic along with the overall level of care Dr. Mayes provided. She says, “In a world today of physicians who are practicing medicine dictated by the number they must see in an acceptable time to make their ‘quota,’ it’s refreshing to still be able to sit and discuss your concerns with a caring doctor of medicine who will listen and decide the best way to treat you as an individual, not a diagnosis code! Dr. Paul Mayes is that doctor, bringing years of experience, research and insight into this new and refreshing kind of medical practice. I highly recommend him to evaluate all your physical medicine/orthopedic needs!” Even Dr. Mayes’ 93 year old mother-in-law is a fan of the philosophy. She has been spotted lifting weights in the local gym with her daughter.

If you, or someone you know, is suffering with a painful medical or musculoskeletal condition, contact Dr. Mayes if you would like to receive information on how RIT may be able to help. The office phone number is (936) 788-1600 and more information can be found at www.PaulMayesMD.com or by visiting his Facebook page.

Other Information:
2129-D West Davis
Conroe TX 77304
(936) 788-1600
www.paulmayesmd.com
paulmayesmd@outlook.com