Protocol Guide
Leveraging GH & EPO Fragments for Chronic Injuries
When an injury drags past the 12-week mark, the problem is rarely “weak tissue.” It’s usually nervous-system inhibition and hormone timing that never reset. Tier III of the Pept…
When an injury drags past the 12-week mark, the problem is rarely “weak tissue.” It’s usually nervous-system inhibition and hormone timing that never reset. Tier III of the Peptide Fox framework tackles that gap with ARA-290—a non-erythropoietic EPO fragment—and Tesamorelin/Ipamorelin, two growth-hormone secretagogues that rebuild connective tissue during deep sleep. Here’s how to apply the combo for chronic tendinopathy, post-surgical plateaus, and nerve pain that lingers long after imaging looks clean, and to capture high-intent searches like “ARA-290 protocol” and “Tesamorelin injury recovery.”
Quick SEO Takeaways
- ARA-290 resolves neuropathic pain without raising hematocrit, making it a powerful answer for “EPO fragment for nerve pain” searches.
- Tesamorelin plus Ipamorelin restore physiologic GH pulses, supporting queries around “GH secretagogues for recovery.”
- Running this tier after GLOW/KLOW signals to search engines—and your body—that you’re transitioning from repair to full neuro-endocrine reintegration.
Why GH and EPO Fragments Belong Together
- ARA-290 rewires the pain circuitry. By binding the innate repair receptor (EPO-β + IL-4Rα), it triggers anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory cascades that restore small-fiber nerve signaling without raising hematocrit. Burning, numbness, and “ghost pain” fade as macrophages shift from M1 to M2 dominance.
- Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin restore circadian anabolism. Tesamorelin drives potent nocturnal GH pulses; Ipamorelin extends the pulse through the ghrelin receptor without spiking cortisol. The pair deepens slow-wave sleep, improves IGF-1, and tells tendons to remodel while you recover.
- Together they synchronize command and execution. ARA-290 clears the neural noise so the brain stops guarding movement, while GH pulses rebuild collagen and cartilage the nerves can trust.
Signs You’re Ready for Tier III
- Range of motion is back but coordination still lags.
- Sleep is choppy, dreams are flat, or you wake unrefreshed.
- Pain is “dull but constant,” especially at night.
- Strength has plateaued 10–15% below baseline despite solid rehab.
Dosing Strategy
| Compound | Standard Dose | Frequency | Route | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARA-290 (Cibinetide) | 4 mg | Every morning | SC | 28 days (extend to 6 weeks for severe neuropathy) |
| Tesamorelin | 2 mg | Nightly, 30–60 min pre-sleep | SC | 8–12 weeks |
| Ipamorelin | 300–500 mcg | Nightly (co-inject with Tesamorelin) | SC | Same as Tesamorelin |
Execution notes
- Take ARA-290 on an empty stomach to maximize nerve perfusion.
- Dose Tesamorelin/Ipamorelin at least two hours after the last meal; pre-bed carbs and fats blunt GH release.
- Combine with Tier II NAD⁺ support if energy still dips—GH pulses thrive in a high-NAD⁺ environment.
Rehab Pairings That Amplify Results
| Week | Focus | Cue |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 | Motor-control retraining | Add neuromuscular re-education or mirror therapy |
| 10–12 | Strength + plyometric readiness | Incorporate tempo lifting, deceleration drills |
| 12+ | Sport-specific reintegration | Gradually reintroduce multi-plane load and impact |
With nerves calm and GH signaling back online, the body finally trusts higher-speed, higher-load movement.
Safety Snapshot
- ARA-290: Generally benign; mild dizziness in the first week is the most common complaint. Skip if you have severe hypotension.
- Tesamorelin: Enhances insulin sensitivity—great for most, but diabetics should monitor glucose closely.
- Ipamorelin: Cortisol-neutral and well tolerated; avoid stacking with other GH secretagogues unless monitored.
- Lab tip: Check IGF-1 at weeks 4 and 8 to keep levels within the high-normal physiological range.
Expected Sensations and Milestones
| Timeline | Physiologic Shift | What You Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Week 8–9 | Small-fiber nerve repair, deeper GH pulses | Tingling subsides, vivid dreams return, wake rested |
| Week 10–11 | Neural inhibition lifts | Stronger mind-muscle connection, more stable balance work |
| Week 12+ | Endocrine and neural systems synchronized | Fatigue drops, bilateral strength symmetry returns |
FAQs
Can I run this tier without finishing GLOW/KLOW? You’ll get better results if Tier II is complete—mitochondria need NAD⁺ support to capitalize on the hormonal upgrade.
Is Ipamorelin optional? Yes, but adding it smooths the GH curve without raising cortisol or prolactin.
Do I need bloodwork? Baseline and follow-up IGF-1 measurements keep the protocol physiologic and help you dial future cycles.
When in doubt, think of Tier III as the neuro-endocrine "reset button." ARA-290 breaks the chronic pain loop, Tesamorelin and Ipamorelin rebuild trust overnight, and suddenly the injury stops dictating how you move.
Complete Injury Recovery Tier System
You're reading: Tier III — Neuro-Endocrine Reintegration (12+ Weeks)
Tier Progression
| Tier | Protocol | Focus | Timeline | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Wolverine Stack | BPC-157 + TB-500 for vascular restoration | Weeks 1-4 | Acute injury, poor blood flow |
| II | GLOW/KLOW Stack | NAD+ + GHK-Cu + KPV for energy & collagen | Weeks 4-10 | Tissue rebuilding phase |
| III | GH/EPO Fragments (You are here) | ARA-290 + Tesamorelin + Ipamorelin | 12+ weeks | Chronic injury, plateaus |
| IV | MITT Stack | SS-31 + MOTS-c + NAD+ for cellular regeneration | Advanced | Mitochondrial optimization |
Where You Came From
← Tier II: GLOW/KLOW Stack — Energy and collagen restoration with NAD+, GHK-Cu, and KPV
Ready to Advance?
→ Tier IV: MITT Stack — When you're ready to shift from repair to true mitochondrial regeneration
Related MITT Articles
- MITT-Stack White Paper — Scientific deep-dive on mitochondrial protocols
- Mitochondrial Stack for GLP-1 — MITT application for weight loss
- HGH Reassessment — Understanding secretagogues vs synthetic HGH