Dr. Thomas E. Buchheit, MD, chatted about his new book “Healing Joints and Nerves,” which will be released in January of 2026.
Background on Dr. Thomas E. Buchheit
Dr. Buchheit serves as Director of the Regenerative Pain Therapies Program in the Duke Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM), and practices Pain Medicine at both Duke University and the Durham VAMC.
His research focus is on the local and systemic inflammatory mechanisms that drive pain in arthritis and nerve injury.
What inspired you to write this book?
The inspiration to write this book came from the wonderful questions I’ve received from patients over the years.
These conversations have pushed me to research new topics, seek answers, and explore avenues that I wouldn’t have done on my own.
How long did it take you to write this? (Did you write it in stages)?
Overall, the book took six years to complete. I began by gathering topics of interest from patients, such as the causes of arthritis and neuropathy and the potential role of various regenerative therapies. The next step involved researching these topics.
This was done through laboratory research, where I had the good fortune to collaborate with colleagues from Duke, Canada, and Germany.
I also examined these questions deeply by reviewing over 1,000 scientific publications.
After conducting the research, I started organizing the topics into thematic chapters, such as “Joint Anatomy and the Myth of ‘Wear and Tear” and “Are ‘Stem Cells’ Really Stem Cells?” I then looked for a publisher interested in a science-grounded book for non-scientist readers.
I found a perfect fit with Bull Publishing in Boulder, CO. They helped me clarify the concepts and make them accessible to a wider audience.
This final process of revisions, illustrations, and organization was intensive, requiring a several-month sabbatical from clinical work to complete.
What was your favorite part of the writing process?
My favorite part of the writing process was discovering why and how various regenerative therapies work.
For example, stem cell injections don’t grow new cartilage when injected into arthritic joints. They work by stimulating the immune system.
Through the book, I was able to thoroughly explore the mechanisms of several other regenerative treatments, including platelet-rich plasma and autologous conditioned serum.
What did this book teach you about yourself?
Writing this book taught me that I have been too comfortable living in a medical model that relied heavily on abbreviations and acronyms.
I realized that, unless I could explain a topic in plain language, I didn’t really understand it.
How does it feel to be an author in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent)
It is both exhilarating and humbling to publish in the digital age. It is exhilarating to see all the possibilities for digital outreach.
It is humbling to realize how little I knew of these methods.
How do you use technology in your daily routine?
I love technology. I use ultrasound every day to assess the health of tendons, ligaments, and nerves, as well as to guide procedures.
I also use laser technology to treat painful joint and nerve conditions without invasive procedures.
I rely on various regenerative therapies that utilize technology to activate the body’s healing process without surgery. These technologies are a vital part of my daily practice.
What do your plans for the future include?
Over the next decade, I plan to continue researching new methods to improve joint and nerve health. As these methods evolve, I will share them broadly through videos, podcasts, websites, and future books.
I aim to develop a dynamic educational program for those dealing with chronic pain who are seeking reliable, non-surgical options.
What does the word success mean to you?
To me, success involves helping a wide audience understand how regenerative therapies work and, more broadly, how people can tap into their own healing power.
What would you like to tell our readers about your new book? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it).
We should stop fearing acute inflammation. Short-term inflammation provides the immune stimulation needed to heal wounds, strengthen joints, and restore nerves.
To effectively treat arthritis and neuropathy, we need to shift our thinking away from fighting inflammation and learn to harness its power to naturally resolve it.
His new book “Healing Joints and Nerves: Immune Stimulation and the New Science of Regenerative Therapies” is available for pre-order by clicking here.
