When stem cell therapy first developed, it seemed like a concept that was taken straight out of a science fiction movie. The concept that we could take these stem cells and transform them into virtually any other type of cell seemed too incredible to be true. But as this science has been developed, even more benefits of stem cell therapy have been discovered which have changed the lives of millions of people.

First, let’s define what stem cell therapy is exactly.

Commonly called regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy is a treatment that can be used to combat various injuries and diseases. Stem cells are considered as the “raw material” of the body, meaning that they have the potential to develop into any type of cell needed in the body, such as muscular, bone, blood, or brain cells.
These stem cells can be sourced from several sources, but the most common ones used are derived from amniotic tissue in the placenta, as well as fat cells. Recent scientific research has also shown promise from stem cells found in umbilical cord blood and bone marrow.

So, just how can stem cell therapy be used – and what kind of benefits does it provide? Let’s dive in.

1. Stem Cell Therapy for Pain Management

Perhaps one of the most notable and common uses for stem cell therapy is to treat certain types of chronic pain, primarily in the joints and tendons. Pain in these areas is typically caused when the cartilage is depleted or when tendons around the joint are damaged. This is often caused by years of wear and tear, as well as injuries from over-exertion or sprains.

This makes stem cell therapy for back pain, as well as hip, knee, elbow, shoulder, and neck discomfort quite effective. Stem cells are inserted into the cartilage and tendons, where they will start to form new cells to repair the worn-down parts. This regeneration helps to reduce pain and discomfort significantly.

2. Effective Autoimmune Disease Treatment

Many people with autoimmune diseases suffer from inflammation caused by the disorder. This can manifest in issues like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which causes extreme pain. Thankfully, one of the benefits of stem cell therapy is that it can be used to suppress autoimmunity.

An autoimmune disease occurs when the body’s own immune system starts to attack itself. It views the cells that the body produces naturally as foreign cells and starts to attack the way it should fight an infection or virus. Stem cells can be used to suppress the immune system response, which reduces inflammation and related symptoms.

3. Promotes Healthy Skin Tissue Growth

Stem cells can also be used to promote healthy skin, blood, and connective tissue regrowth. This is also known as mesenchymal stem cell therapy, which refers to cells found in connective and lymphatic tissues and blood vessels. 

This is often used by plastic surgeons to prevent noticeable scarring after a surgery or accident. These types of stem cells boost collagen production in the skin, resulting in newly developed tissue around incisions and wounds. It can even be used as a form of PRP stem cell therapy for hair regrowth!

4. Treats Orthopedic Injuries and Conditions

Bone injuries to joints must heal properly, otherwise, it could lead to long-term pain and mobility difficulty down the road. Orthopedic stem cell therapy helps to reduce inflammation during the healing process, while also promoting healthy tissue regrowth.

This type of therapy may include several procedures, including:

  • Bone grafts – a piece of healthy bone is attached to the injured bone to promote new bone cell growth.
  • Far grafts – fat cells may be inserted around the joints to cushion the joint to reduce the risk of further injury. The stem cells in the fat also help to regenerate connective tissue growth.
  • PRP injections – Platelet-rich plasma may also be injected into the injured area to promote healthy tissue formation.
Your doctor may recommend this type of stem cell therapy for hip, shoulder, or knee injuries, as these joints must heal correctly for proper movement and mobility.

5. Increases Muscular and Joint Mobility

One of the most notable benefits to stem cell therapy is the significant improvement in overall mobility in the muscles and joints. When these areas are injured or have cell depletion, they can become stiff and even painful to move. Stem cells help to replace these damaged cells, making it far easier and less difficult to move joints and muscles.

6. Doesn’t Cause Nerve Damage

Unfortunately, many surgical procedures and treatments damage the nerves in the surrounding area of the incision. This can lead to a loss of feeling, mobility, and function and cause long-term complications.

One of the most impressive benefits of stem cell therapy is that it can be directed to the exact intended area. Here at the Institute of Progressive Medicine, we administer all stem cell therapy with ultrasound guidance. This virtually eliminates the risk of nerve damage and ensures that only the area requiring the treatment receives it.

7. Quick Recovery Time

Many pain treatments are quite painful and invasive. However, stem cell therapy can be administered without general anesthesia and is non-surgical. In some cases, the retravel of the initial stem cells may require an anesthetic, particularly if it is retrieved from the iliac crest in the pelvis. However, orthopedic stem cell therapy and other treatments are administered via injection and require very little downtime.

You will also start to notice the benefits of stem cell therapy in as little as one month, with the most significant improvements after 6 months of continuous treatment.

Conclusion

Stem cell therapy isn’t just a thing of the future. Doctors are using this treatment in all sorts of ways to help their patients manage joint pain, reduce inflammation, and encourage healthy tissue regeneration.

If you would like to know more about stem cell therapy, please contact us at the Institute of Progressive Medicine in Irvine, CA. Our team would be happy to provide further information regarding stem cell therapy and schedule you for an initial consultation with our medical team.