5 min read

Physician-Led Performance Medicine
When Training Harder Stops Working
Recovery, Strength, Endurance, and Focus, Measured and Treated
For athletes, active adults, and busy professionals who are recovering slowly, plateauing in training, or losing strength, endurance, or focus with age. We measure VO2 max, hormones, body composition, and inflammation, then treat what is holding you back, with peptides, hormone replacement, or regenerative care when appropriate.
What Is Performance Medicine?
A physician-led, data-driven approach to cellular and metabolic optimization
Performance medicine goes beyond traditional sports medicine or wellness programs. It is a physician-led, data-driven approach: we measure how you burn fuel, recover, and produce hormones, then treat the biological limits behind slow recovery, plateaus, and fatigue rather than just telling you to push harder.
Precision Diagnostics
We start with PNOE VO₂ max testing, metabolic profiling, athletic genetic analysis, hormone panels, and inflammation markers to see what is limiting you.
Cellular Optimization
Based on your testing, we use targeted treatments to support cellular energy, lower oxidative stress, correct hormone levels, and speed recovery.
Cellular Optimization
Based on your testing, we use targeted treatments to support cellular energy, lower oxidative stress, correct hormone levels, and speed recovery. That includes peptides for recovery and resilience, regenerative therapies (PRP, exosomes, stem cells) for injuries, hormone replacement when levels are low, and mitochondrial support.
You May Be A Candidate If You Experience
Symptoms Addressed
- Performance plateau despite training
- Slow recovery between workouts
- Decreased strength or endurance
- Frequent injuries or overuse issues
- Suboptimal body composition
- Poor VO₂ max or aerobic capacity
- Mental fatigue affecting performance
- Inadequate muscle gains
- Competition readiness challenges
- Age-related performance decline
Expected Benefits
- Enhanced athletic performance and power output
- Faster recovery between training sessions
- Improved VO₂ max and endurance
- Optimized body composition (muscle gain, fat loss)
- Reduced injury risk and faster healing
- Better mental focus and competitive edge
- Increased strength and explosiveness
- Enhanced mitochondrial function
- Improved training capacity
- Competitive advantage through legal optimization
Conditions We Address
Our Performance Protocol
The tests and treatments we use, and what each one is for.
PNOE VO₂ Max Testing
Breath-based metabolic test that measures aerobic capacity, whether you burn fat or carbohydrate, and breathing efficiency.
Key Applications
- Cardiovascular fitness baseline
- Training zone optimization
- Metabolic flexibility assessment
Athletic Genetics
DNA analysis revealing genetic predispositions for power, endurance, recovery speed, and injury risk.
Key Applications
- Training style optimization
- Injury prevention insights
- Recovery protocol personalization
Mitochondrial Support
Enhance cellular energy production through targeted supplementation, IV therapy, and lifestyle interventions.
Key Applications
- Energy production optimization
- Oxidative stress reduction
- Cellular resilience enhancement
Oxidative Stress Management
Measure and mitigate cellular damage from free radicals to improve recovery and reduce inflammation.
Key Applications
- Chronic inflammation reduction
- Accelerated recovery
- Long-term cellular health
Regenerative Therapies
PRP, exosomes, and stem cells to repair tissue damage, reduce inflammation, and enhance recovery.
Key Applications
- Injury healing acceleration
- Joint and tendon repair
- Performance longevity
Hormone Optimization
Testing and treatment of testosterone, thyroid, and cortisol when they are limiting strength, recovery, body composition, or focus.
Key Applications
- Muscle growth and recovery
- Energy and stamina
- Mental clarity and focus
Peptide Therapy
Targeted peptides to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and support tissue repair.
Key Applications
- BPC-157 for healing
- Thymosin Beta-4 for recovery
- CJC-1295 for growth hormone support
Metabolic Profiling
Comprehensive analysis of how your body produces and uses energy at rest and during activity.
Key Applications
- Nutrition optimization
- Supplement targeting
- Metabolic dysfunction correction
Expected Outcomes
Tracked with objective data: VO2 max, body composition, labs, and your own training numbers.
Enhanced Performance Metrics
Measurable improvements in VO₂ max, power output, endurance capacity, and sport-specific benchmarks.
Faster Recovery
Reduced recovery time between training sessions, enabling higher training volume and intensity without burnout.
Injury Prevention & Resilience
Strengthened connective tissue, reduced inflammation, and improved tissue healing to stay in the game longer.
Optimized Body Composition
Increased lean muscle mass, reduced body fat, and improved muscle-to-fat ratio for your sport.
Mental Clarity & Focus
Enhanced cognitive function, decision-making speed, and mental stamina for competition and high-pressure scenarios.
Heart and Lung Fitness
Improved heart rate variability, blood flow, oxygen delivery, and overall cardiovascular efficiency.
More Than Just Performance
While the focus is your performance, the work reaches beyond the field, court, or gym. Patients often tell us about:
- Better sleep: deeper, more restorative sleep that helps recovery.
- Steadier mood: less irritability and better handling of stress.
- Aging well: the same hormone, metabolic, and cellular work that supports long-term health.
What to Expect
From baseline testing to ongoing follow-up, here is what the process looks like
Performance Baseline Assessment
PNOE VO₂ max testing, body composition, biomarker analysis, and performance protocol design
Protocol Launch
Begin performance optimization (peptides, hormones, nutrition, training modifications)
Performance Enhancement
Retesting and adjustments based on your numbers: recovery, strength, endurance, and body composition
Long-Term Maintenance
Quarterly retesting, protocol adjustments, and ongoing physician follow-up
Performance Baseline Assessment
PNOE VO₂ max testing, body composition, biomarker analysis, and performance protocol design
Protocol Launch
Begin performance optimization (peptides, hormones, nutrition, training modifications)
Performance Enhancement
Retesting and adjustments based on your numbers: recovery, strength, endurance, and body composition
Long-Term Maintenance
Quarterly retesting, protocol adjustments, and ongoing physician follow-up
Every treatment plan is personalized to your unique needs and goals. Your timeline may be adjusted based on your individual response.
The Physician-Led Difference
What sets our performance optimization program apart from generic fitness programs
Personalized Medicine
Protocols based on your genetics, biomarkers, and goals
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular testing and protocol adjustments
Medical Therapies
Prescription options a trainer or coach cannot offer, when your labs support them
Safety & Medical Oversight
Performance optimization is a medical program requiring informed consent, individualized protocols, and continuous physician oversight
Medical Standards & Monitoring
Understanding Potential Risks
These risks are mitigated through proper protocol design, monitoring, and proactive adjustment. Your individual risk profile will be reviewed during consultation.


Physician. Educator. Innovator.
Meet Dr. Asare B. Christian
- —Board-Certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician
- —Board-Certified Longevity Medicine Physician (ABAARM)
- —Harvard Medical School Fellowship
- —Johns Hopkins Residency
- —Harvard School of Public Health (MPH)
- —MIT Sloan Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
The goal is not simply to remove plasma. The goal is to understand the person sitting in front of us and determine whether TPE belongs within a broader strategy designed around their biology.
MEET DR. CHRISTIANPhysician. Educator. Innovator.
Meet Dr. Asare B. Christian
- —Board-Certified Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Physician
- —Board-Certified Longevity Medicine Physician (ABAARM)
- —Harvard Medical School Fellowship
- —Johns Hopkins Residency
- —Harvard School of Public Health (MPH)
- —MIT Sloan Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
The goal is not simply to remove plasma. The goal is to understand the person sitting in front of us and determine whether TPE belongs within a broader strategy designed around their biology.
MEET DR. CHRISTIANLatest Articles
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Evidence-based insights on longevity, hormones, and regenerative medicine — from our physicians.
PATIENT STORIES
Real People. Real Results.
Hear directly from patients who chose a precision medicine approach to their health.
Top Rated Service
verified with 101 reviews
Innovative, attentive, and effective. Dr Christian knows how to look at the big picture. He is compassionate and understanding and focused on helping you achieve your goals. You never feel rushed and always feel heard. He is truly one of a kind and I would highly recommend him.
Dr. Christian is a friend and former colleague that I would trust with my life and those of my family. His professional skill and ethic in the field of physical medicine and rehab is truly special. His dedication to improving access to healing is one to be honored!
Dr Christian and his practice are hands down one of the best. His holistic approach to medicine is something you rarely see in healthcare. As a Physical Therapist, I often refer patients to physicians to collaborate and my number one answer is Dr. Christian at Aether Medicine. The time, care, and determination he shows to his patients is uncanny. Recommend 10/10.
Dr Christian has been my doctor for several years now. I was unable to walk when I first met him. 5 years later I am able to walk and I am again a functioning beyond anything I would have dreamt would be possible. I am walking again and also driving. I'm able to live my life again. Please allow Dr. Christian help you should you need his guidance.
Dr Asare Christian is taking care of my great aunt Inez who will be turning 102 years old this year. He has been very caring and compassionate. She has shown improvement since the treatment and continues to assist with her ADL's and gentle exercises. I would highly recommend Dr Christian to anyone who is experiencing pain.
Dr Christian is FANTASTIC! Very knowledgeable and works very well with his patients on trying to create well rounded approach to their health and wellness. Highly recommend him to anyone looking for help!
If you are looking for someone to truly listen to you as a patient, you need to schedule a visit with Dr. Christian. He does not simply type symptoms into his laptop and wait for the program to instruct how to treat your illness. He understands you are an individual, and considers all aspects of your health. He treats you as a whole person, not a list of symptoms. If you have been frustrated by the health care system, and have yet to find relief for your pain, I highly recommend Dr. Christian and Aether medicine.
My wife experienced a concussion in a car accident a few years back and was treated by Dr. Christian. She could not move her neck left or right for a month along with terrible pain and headaches, which led to vision problems. From her first visit, Dr. Christian helped her get her neck moving side to side again. From that point until now, she feels that after going through all that, she has a normal life today thanks to his treatment. He truly cares about the patients, they are not just numbers or statistics to him. She is totally grateful to him for getting the pain under control and now at his new practice, the peptide therapy has helped her get her Polycystic Ovary Syndrome under control. This helps her with weight loss (down 58 pounds), and the PCOS symptoms have almost disappeared. She is grateful to have an amazing physician like him in her life, we are both very thankful for everything he has done for us!
Dr Christian is a fantastic pain management doctor. He looks at you holistically and is very compassionate and understanding. He listens to you and works with you to come up with the best treatment plan for you. Even if it requires referring you to another doctor. I have had 3 spine surgeries with constant epidurals and rhizotomies in between them. My last surgery was 3.5 years ago and afterwards Dr Christian came up with a new plan for my muscle spasms. It has been a life saver for me, as my falls had been less frequent for me and I haven't needed any additional therapy besides what I do at home. Plus the best part is, I do not want to be on narcotics yet and he respects that and treats me without ever needing to use a narcotic! He truly listens to you and works with you, to care for you! I wish there were more doctors like him!
Extraordinary. Brilliant. Innovative. Compassionate. He changed my life! Chronic cervical pain brought me to Dr. Asare B. Christian. For years doctors/surgeons restricted my movement and wrote pain prescriptions. I challenged Dr. Christian to help me eliminate the prescriptions (morphine), build the physical/mental strength to minimize the pain and live an active life. He became my partner on an amazing journey. We put together a plan for my recovery. He educated and encouraged me. He listened to my personal goals and got to know my family. He provided the latest practices and resources so I could accomplish what all the other doctors said was impossible. Dr. Christian's staff at Good Shephard are smart, dedicated, efficient, customer-centric professionals who treat each patient with warmth and kindness. I walk five miles every day. I dance, exercise, garden, do all the things I was told I should never do. He is, quite simply, remarkable.
Dr. Christian is hands down the best in the business. Not only in medicine, but healthcare. True reformative and proactive healthcare. His approach is integral, conscience, and thorough. He treats people like a human being and looks at ALL aspects of who you are to better understand how he can work WITH you to provide best outcomes. It's never just about the pain. It's about the body and how the mind perceives the pain. He equips all his clients with the tools to become your best self beyond the pain. If the pain is what brings you to Dr. Christian then consider yourself blessed. If you work with him and truly follow and use the tools and strategies he equips you with, prepare to be amazed that your quality of simply BEING renews itself and that you may even rise to new heights you never thought possible before you ever had the pain. It's possible. I promise. From one former chronic pain sufferer to another, not only is there hope with Dr. Christian on your team but a whole new world of wellness and possibilities.
Dr. Christian was very kind and thoughtful. His exam was thorough. He listened to my concerns and offered modalities to improve my condition that make good sense.
Dr. Christian is a very knowledgeable, compassionate and caring physician. He was very present when he met with my wife and me. You feel that he really cares and wants to help you heal. Highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Comprehensive answers to help you make an informed decision
Performance optimization is a physician-led program that uses advanced diagnostics, hormonal support, peptide therapy, and precision training guidance to measurably improve strength, endurance, recovery, and cognitive output.
No. The program is for anyone whose recovery, energy, strength, or focus is not what it used to be: competitive athletes, weekend athletes, and busy professionals alike.
We start with medical testing (VO2 max, PNOE metabolic testing, hormone panels, body composition) and use physician-prescribed treatments when appropriate, not generic fitness plans.
Comprehensive performance and metabolic testing, personalized program design, hormone optimization (if indicated), peptide therapy for recovery and performance, nutrition guidance, and continuous physician monitoring.
Early changes in energy and recovery are often noticed within 2 to 4 weeks. Changes in strength, endurance, and body composition typically emerge over 8 to 16 weeks.
We provide guidance based on your testing data, but the plan is designed to work with your lifestyle and preferences, not impose a rigid program.
When prescribed and monitored by a physician, hormone optimization and peptide therapy are safe for most adults. We screen carefully, use evidence-based protocols, and monitor labs regularly.
Some performance interventions may be restricted for competitive athletes subject to anti-doping regulations (WADA, USADA). We discuss compliance considerations during consultation for competitive athletes.
Performance optimization programs at Aether Medicine are typically cash-based. Some testing and components may be eligible for HSA/FSA coverage.
Schedule a performance optimization consultation. We begin with baseline testing and a thorough intake, then design a protocol built around your specific performance goals.
Get Started
Start Your Journey Toward Better Health and Long-Term Vitality
Our mission is to help individuals take control of their health through personalized, science-driven care that improves quality of life and supports long-term vitality.
Prefer to call? Reach us at 484-806-1101
Telehealth Available
You do not have to live near Philadelphia to be our patient.
Hormone and metabolic care is mostly conversation, laboratory work and adjustment over time. All three travel well. Patients across Pennsylvania do this with us on video, with their blood drawn close to home.
Where this is available. Dr. Christian is licensed in Pennsylvania, so telehealth is available to patients who are in Pennsylvania at the time of the visit. If you are elsewhere, the office in the Philadelphia area sees patients in person.
- Step 1
A consult on video
Your history, your symptoms and what you want to change, with the physician rather than an intake form.
- Step 2
Labs drawn near you
We send the order to a draw site close to home. You do not travel for a blood test.
- Step 3
Results read together
We go through the panel on screen, and you leave with the plan written down rather than a portal message.
- Step 4
Follow-up on video
Re-testing and adjustments happen on the same schedule they would in the office.
Request a Consultation
Tell us about your health goals. We will contact you within 1 business day to schedule your consultation with Dr. Christian.
Your request has been received. We will contact you within 1 business day. For immediate questions, call 484-806-1101.


