I’d had an increasingly unstable SI joint and damage to associated areas for 15 years. My pelvic girdle would twist at the slightest provocation. That hurts at the time and for days to weeks after. It reduces mobility for active people like me. It impacts your whole health, especially when it happens over and over. And it begins to damage and destabilize other parts of the body. I spent much time and money over the years having my body basically twisted back in place. Much PT. Strengthening the area helped but didn’t fix it. The only treatment options given to me were PT and rest. (I’d read about fusion of the joint. Time has shown that this procedure, which immobilizes a slightly mobile joint, may eventually fail and break down the bone. Not an option.) So there appeared to be no options for me but lifestyle changes and acceptance. These were unacceptable to me.
I learned about Dr Timothy Mazzola’s leading-edge, science-based treatments from the kind and talented Osteopath, Dr Sarah Curtis, who’d put my body back together many times for years. I was hesitant to do the stem cell treatment because it is still considered “experimental” and not covered by insurance. But facing the reality of living with increasing pain and decreasing ability to enjoy outdoor activities and “life”, I set up a consult with Dr Mazzola to learn more. I’ve never had a more thorough exam of my physical structure. Dr Mazzola identified 6 areas of damage, including the SI joint ligament, and recommended MFAT treatment, using stem-cell and collagen-forming fat from my own buttocks. I scoured the internet for info about the efficacy of the treatment for my condition and didn’t find enough to reassure. I’m a sceptic by nature and work to stay healthy and out of the health care system. So I found podcasts, some with Dr Mazzola, talked to two people who avoided knee replacement surgery by having stem cell treatment instead (by a different doctor) and were back to tennis in a year or so. Another woman who had the procedure for 20 years of SI joint instability. It worked for her. Ultimately, I took a leap of faith due to all of the above and a gut feeling of confidence in Dr Mazzola and his team.
I had the procedure, followed instructions exactly after and had very little pain during or after. Certainly less pain than I’d dealt with off and increasingly on for 15 years. Dr Mazolla referred me to Erin, a talented physical therapist near me who teams with Dr Mazolla to provide exactly the right regimen for my procedure.
In TWO months the SI joint felt solid. The proof was that
7 weeks after my procedure I slipped in the dark on wet slick steps and fell hard on flagstone exactly onto my SI joint area. This would normally have twisted my pelvic area like a pretzel. But it didn’t hurt the next day. I took a walk and it felt fine. Hopeful, I made an early appointment
with Dr Curtis and she happily confirmed that the joint and whole area were still perfectly aligned. At my two month checkup, Dr Mazolla seriously tested the joint and pronounced it solid (in an unusually short period of time). This and another small injury a couple of weeks later confirmed that this minimally invasive procedure for me has truly been “a miracle of modern medicine”. Not offense to anyone, but I’m not a believer in miracles. This treatment qualifies.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dr Mazzola and his team. And I would trust him to tell you honestly whether the procedures might help you.
Cindy B. | Jun 19, 2025
(...)