Stem Cell Therapy: An Innovative Way to Treat a Variety of Issues

Your body produces all different types of cells. Many of them are specific, like skin cells or red blood cells. But, stem cells can become whatever type of cell you need—they are undifferentiated. If you need a muscle cell, for example, stem cells can become muscle cells and help you heal quickly.

Additionally, stem cells can proliferate into more of the type of cell you need to be able to heal. Adults have some stem cells in reserve, but they can take a long time to respond to your needs. That’s where stem cell therapy comes in.

At Integrated Spine and Pain Care, Dr. Mikael Sarij and his talented team offer stem cell therapy to those patients who haven’t gotten adequate pain relief with other treatment methods. We are happy to report many of our patients see great results from this innovative treatment approach.

When we use stem cell therapy

Researchers are continuing to discover applications for stem cell therapy, with ongoing investigations into its use in all kinds of situations, from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. We focus on soft tissue problems such as tendonitis, labral tears, and rotator cuff injuries, as well as joint problems such as osteoarthritis. It may also be an appropriate treatment for chronic neck and back pain.

In many instances, we recommend stem cell therapy in conjunction with other treatments. For example, we may suggest physical therapy or the use of anti-inflammatory medications along with stem cell therapy.

Although stem cell therapy can produce surprising results, it isn’t a miracle. If you have severe joint degeneration, stem cells won’t prompt your body to grow a new joint. However, if you need joint replacement surgery, stem cell therapy may be beneficial during your recovery.

Where stem cells come from

Your body has stem cells in several locations. For example, you have stem cells in your bone marrow, as well as in the fat around your abdomen. We may even use donor cells.

The benefits associated with stem cell therapy

Stem cell therapy has many advantages, especially compared to some other common treatments. If you want to avoid potentially addictive pain medications, for example, stem cell therapy can be a good option.

You can also avoid extensive downtime with stem cell therapy. It’s a minimally invasive procedure, and there’s little chance you’ll have an allergic reaction or other negative side effects.

If you have questions about stem cell therapy, or you’d like to find out if you might be a good candidate, schedule an appointment at Integrated Spine and Pain Care today. We’re always happy to answer your questions and suggest a treatment plan to address your issues.