🛡 IRB-Approved Program · Charleston, South Carolina
Non-Surgical Pain Relief in Charleston — Get Back to What You Love Without Surgery
Coastal Ketamine and Aesthetics offers an IRB-approved regenerative medicine program that uses stem cell and exosome therapies for chronic pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and complex spinal conditions. Led by Dan Ripley, MD, serving Mount Pleasant, Charleston, and the surrounding communities.
- IRB-Approved Protocol
- 25+ Years of Proven Results
- Charleston, South Carolina
A Smarter Way to Heal Without Surgery
A Smarter Approach to Pain That Works with Your Body
Whether you are a golfer managing a shoulder that won’t cooperate, a pickleball player dealing with a nagging knee, or a patient who has tried medications and injections without lasting relief, surgery is not your only option.
Regenerative medicine works with your body’s own natural healing system to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and restore function — without surgery, general anesthesia, or long-term medication dependence.
Dan Ripley, MD, brings a precise, evidence-informed approach to regenerative care. Rather than masking your pain, he identifies what’s actually driving it — then builds a treatment plan around your specific condition, activity level, and goals. It’s a more complete picture of your health, and a more targeted path to recovery.
What Is IRB Oversight?
IRB stands for Institutional Review Board — an independent committee that formally reviews medical programs to ensure they meet strict standards for patient safety, ethics, and scientific validity. This is the same level of oversight applied to clinical research trials.
At Coastal Ketamine and Aesthetics, your treatments are structured, documented, and held to a higher standard than most regenerative clinics in the Charleston area offer. When you choose an IRB-approved program, you are not choosing experimental care — you are choosing accountable, governed, outcomes-tracked medicine
Conditions Treated
Our IRB-approved program focuses on musculoskeletal, orthopedic, and chronic pain conditions in which stem cell and exosome therapies yield the most meaningful, documented results — especially for active adults and athletes who want to return to the activities they love
Chronic & Neuropathic Pain
Chronic Back Pain · Neck Pain
From fibromyalgia and CRPS to neuropathic pain and migraines that haven't responded to medication, regenerative therapy addresses inflammation and tissue damage at the source rather than masking symptoms.
Spine & Neck Pain
Cervical Radiculopathy · Lumbar Radiculopathy
Disc issues, stenosis, facet joint pain, and radiculopathy respond well to regenerative protocols — often eliminating the need for repeated injections or spinal surgery.
Sports & Activity-Related Injuries
Tendon Injuries · Ligament Damage
Golfers, tennis players, pickleball players, runners, cyclists, weightlifters, and CrossFit athletes — we treat the injuries that come from the activities you love so that you can get back to them.
Shoulder Pain
Rotator Cuff Tears · Shoulder Impingement
Rotator cuff damage, frozen shoulder, impingement, and labral injuries can sideline even the most active patients. Our treatments target tissue damage and inflammation directly at the source — so you can get back to swinging, lifting, and reaching.
Knee Pain
Knee Osteoarthritis · Meniscal Tears
Whether from osteoarthritis, a meniscal tear, patellofemoral syndrome, or years of running, cycling, and pickleball, knee pain limits everything. Our regenerative protocols help patients avoid knee surgery and return to the sports and activities they love.
IRB-Approved Treatments
Two advanced regenerative therapies are under our IRB-approved protocol. Here is exactly what each one is and how it works — so you can make an informed decision before your consultation.
01
Advanced Tissue Regeneration
Stem Cell Therapy
Best For: Moderate to severe joint degeneration, tissue damage, spine conditions, and cases where other treatments have not produced lasting results.
02
Most Advanced Regenerative Option
Exosome Therapy
Exosomes are microscopic signaling particles naturally produced by stem cells. They function as the communication layer of the healing process — carrying growth factors, proteins, and molecular instructions that tell surrounding cells to repair tissue and reduce inflammation.
Best For: Inflammation-driven conditions, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, CRPS, and patients seeking the most advanced regenerative approach available.
+
Most Comprehensive Protocol
Combined Protocol
Best For: Complex, multi-site, or long-standing conditions — Dr. Ripley determines the right combination during your consultation.
From First Call to Full Recovery
Your Patient Journey
From your first conversation with our team to your final follow-up — a clear, supported process every step of the way.
Step 1 — Complimentary Consultation
Your first step is a no-obligation consultation with our team. We discuss your symptoms, history, activity level, and goals — and determine whether you are a candidate for the IRB program and which therapy is most appropriate for your situation.
Step 2 — Clinical Evaluation with Dr. Ripley
Dr. Ripley conducts a thorough clinical evaluation. This may include a review of existing imaging, such as X-ray or MRI, relevant diagnostic tests, and a physical assessment. This step ensures your treatment plan is accurate and personalized — not generic.
Step 3 — Your Personalized Treatment Plan
You receive a clear written plan outlining the recommended therapy or combination of therapies, number of sessions, what each session involves, and a realistic timeline for results: no pressure, no surprises, no upselling.
Step 4 — In-Office Treatment
All treatments are performed at our Charleston clinic and typically take 30 to 90 minutes. Most patients return to normal daily activity the same day or within 24 to 48 hours: no surgery, no hospital stay, no general anesthesia.
Step 5 — Follow-Up and Progress Monitoring
Dr. Ripley actively monitors your progress throughout the program and adjusts your protocol in response to your progress. Your outcomes are tracked and documented — that's part of what IRB oversight requires, and it works in your favor.
Why Patients Choose Us
Why Choose Us
IRB-Approved Protocol
Our program has been formally reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board — the same standard of oversight used in clinical research. Every treatment is documented, ethically governed, and consistently applied.
Led by Dan Ripley, MD
Board-qualified physician with a precise, evidence-informed approach to regenerative care. Dr. Ripley evaluates your full picture — not just the painful joint — to build a treatment plan that addresses the real source of your pain.
Built for Active Adults and Athletes
Our patient population includes golfers, pickleball players, tennis players, runners, cyclists, weightlifters, and desk workers — people who cannot afford to be sidelined and want a treatment partner who understands that.
Serving Mount Pleasant & Greater Charleston
We are a local practice rooted in this community. Our team is accessible, responsive, and genuinely invested in the long-term health of every patient we treat.
Transparent, Honest Care
From your first consultation to your final follow-up, we explain everything clearly. You will always know what you are receiving, why it was recommended, and what to expect realistically. No upselling, no vague promises.
No Surgery. No Anesthesia. No Long Recovery.
Minimally invasive, performed entirely in-office, with little to no downtime. None of the surgical risks, none of the hospital stays, none of the months-long rehabilitation timelines.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about our IRB-approved regenerative wellness program — answered clearly and honestly.
What does IRB-approved mean, and why does it matter?
IRB stands for Institutional Review Board — an independent ethics and safety committee that reviews medical programs to ensure they meet rigorous standards for patient protection, scientific validity, and consistent application. Most regenerative clinics in the Charleston area do not operate under this level of oversight.
Am I a candidate for this program?
The best way to find out is through a complimentary consultation with Dr. Ripley. Generally, good candidates are patients dealing with chronic pain, orthopedic conditions, or musculoskeletal injuries who have not found lasting relief through conventional treatments such as medication, cortisone shots, or physical therapy.
What is the difference between stem cell therapy and exosome therapy?
Stem cells are the body’s repair cells — they differentiate and regenerate damaged tissue directly. Exosomes are signaling particles that amplify healing communication between cells and reduce inflammation. Dr. Ripley will recommend the right therapy — or combination — based on your specific condition
Which conditions respond best to regenerative medicine?
Knee conditions (osteoarthritis, meniscal tears), shoulder injuries (rotator cuff, labral), spine conditions (herniated disc, stenosis, radiculopathy), and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and CRPS consistently show strong results under this protocol.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies by condition, severity, and the therapy used. Dr. Ripley will outline the recommended number of sessions in your written treatment plan — before you commit to anything.
Is there downtime after treatment?
Most patients return to their normal daily routine within 24 to 48 hours. Strenuous athletic activity may need to be paused briefly, depending on the treatment area.
How long before I see results?
Some patients notice improvement within a few weeks. Full results typically develop over 8 to 12 weeks as the body’s regenerative process progresses. Dr. Ripley monitors your response throughout.
Does insurance cover this?
Regenerative medicine therapies are typically self-pay. We are transparent about costs from the start — no surprises. Ask our team about any available study incentives during your consultation.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients experience minimal discomfort. Treatments are minimally invasive and performed in-office without general anesthesia. Dr. Ripley’s team will walk you through exactly what to expect before anything begins.
Get Started — Two Simple Ways
Book Your Appointment or Request IRB Details
Choose the form that fits your needs. Secure, instant, and fully integrated with our practice management system.
Schedule a Consultation
Complimentary • No obligation • Fast confirmation
Ready to Explore a Non-Surgical Path to Pain Relief in Charleston?
If you are living with chronic pain, a stubborn orthopedic injury, or a condition that hasn’t responded to conventional treatment, Coastal Ketamine and Aesthetics is ready to help.
Dan Ripley, MD, will personally review your case and walk you through every option that makes sense for your situation. Whether you are a golfer trying to protect your game, a pickleball player managing a chronic knee injury, or simply an active adult who wants to stay that way, this conversation could change how you think about your recovery.
Your consultation is completely complimentary. There is no obligation. And you leave with a clear understanding of your options.