Living with chronic pain is miserable. With each new possible treatment, the frustration builds as treatment after treatment either gives you temporary relief or was an epic fail. The pain returns and you once again feel debilitated and hopeless.
Thanks to medical research, new treatment options are available in the new field of Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative Medicine can be defined as the procedure of replacing or “regenerating” human cells, tissues, or organs to restore or establish normal function. This biomedical approach involves damaged tissues in the body being replaced by stimulating the body’s own repair mechanisms to heal tissues. Examples include cell therapies (the injection of stem cells or progenitor cells); immunomodulation therapy (regeneration by biologically active molecules administered alone or as secretions by infused cells); and tissue engineering (transplantation of laboratory-grown organs and tissues).
Stem cells are defined as undifferentiated cells that have the ability to replicate and differentiate themselves into various tissue cells., whether it is skin cells, brain cells, or liver cells. Human stem cells are the building blocks from which all other cells are made and are most potent during embryonic development. While this sounds like it belongs in Sick Bay on the Starship Enterprise, it has a proven track record for relief.
The main idea of applying stem cells to neuropathic pain is based on the ability of stem cells to release neurotrophic factors. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are a family of biomolecules – nearly all of which are peptides or small proteins – that support the growth, survival, and differentiation of both developing and mature neurons. This makes them ideal candidates for modulating and possibly reversing intractable neuropathic pain
Adults have stem cells throughout their body. They are typically located in bone marrow, blood, and adipose fat. They contain incredible transformative and regenerative powers, although not as powerful as they were during embryonic development.
When an injury occurs, these cells help with rebuilding and repair. A more severe injury or a chronic issue often requires a larger quantity and higher concentration.
Your own stem cells can be harvested from your bone marrow and redirected to where you need them most. This is done during an in-office procedure using only local anesthesia. Once harvested them, we inject your stem cells into the center of your pain, your damaged tissue. They naturally go to work to reduce inflammation and regenerate and repair your tissue.
Depending upon your ability to heal and your medical issue, there is a possibility of the need of a series of stem cell treatments. This treatment has been used successfully for pain management and the healing of:
- Degenerative disc diseases
- Arthritis
- Connective tissue injuries
- Neuropathy, or nerve damage
- Joint pain
Not sure you are a candidate? That is an easy fix. If you have already tried conventional treatments, including steroids, narcotic pain & anti – inflammatory medications, etc.., give us a call to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors to determine if stem cell therapy is right for you.