Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Pain
Stem cell therapy for chronic pain may provide an answer for people suffering from persistent discomfort, such as arthritis, who believe there is no cure. Pain medication can have unpleasant side effects such as sleepiness, constipation, stomach or liver damage, and addiction; this is not a long-term solution for those suffering from chronic pain. They are only a band-aid solution.
Pain management in the 21st century should be more effective. Stem cell treatment for chronic pain has been universally successful, but many people are still not sufficiently aware of what it is and how it works to give it a chance. Here’s what you should know.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is unquestionably a widespread problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in 2018 that an estimated 50 million Americans, or slightly more than 20 per cent, suffer from chronic pain. This figure is steadily increasing.
How Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Pain can provide Relief
When stem cells are implanted, they cause a beneficial inflammation that allows the ligaments and tendons inside our joints to begin to mend and renew. It is critical to recognize that inflammation is not a side effect; rather, it is the desired goal.
A certain degree of inflammation around an injury is a sign of healing; consider how your body forms a scab over a scratch or cut. That is your body causing inflammation in order to heal. Stem cell therapy for chronic back pain, and discomfort in other parts of the body, is very similar.
Pain is a symptom, not an illness or a condition. It is the body’s method of indicating that there is a problem that has to be addressed as a result of an accident or age-related degeneration. Stem cell treatment can effectively address the underlying illness while also providing relief from the persistent pain.
Here are some common examples:
- Tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The Advantages
How Stem Cells act on Joints
Currently, stem cell therapy for chronic pain is seen as most successful in treating discomfort in specific parts of the body, since stem cells are so adept at repairing damaged ligaments and tendons, creating better and stronger joints. Some of these are:
- Non-Healing Fractures
- Achilles Tendinitis
- Wrist, Knee, Elbow, and Ankle Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Chronic Neck and Back Pain
- Foot Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
- Torn Rotator Cuff
- Back, Neck and Sciatica Pain
- Tendinitis
- Torn Meniscus
- Sprains and Strains
Stemwell Chronic Pain Procedure
Stemwell uses cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells ethically sourced from full-term human umbilical cords (We do not utilize cells from embryos). We then administer more than 300 million cells that are all thoroughly tested for viability before treatment. These cells are NOT a blood product; therefore, it is extremely safe and does not require HLA or phenotypic matching.
Eligibility
Find out if you qualify for our mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusion by completing our secure, HIPAA-compliant qualification form
First Step
The patient undergoes an initial evaluation and blood work by Stemwell’s doctor.
Second Step
Endovenous detox therapy applied to patient
Third Step
Stem Cell IV Infusion Therapy + localized Autologous stem cell injections in trigger pain points
Fourth Step
Hyperbaric Chamber therapy – Hyperbaric oxygen reduces inflammation, oxygenates injured muscle, and regenerates skeletal muscle via macrophage and satellite cell activation.
Fifth Step
The fifth step is dedicated to addressing chronic pain with specialized therapies, which encompass shockwave therapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, and laser therapy.
In specific instances, we may also incorporate photobiomodulation to address chronic pain or explore its potential benefits
*Each Protocol is customized to the patient depending their medical and surgical history
This protocol information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, is for general information purposes only.
What does orthobiologics mean?
Orthobiologics are biological substances that are typically connected with sports and traction injuries, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells. These are used to accelerate the healing of musculoskeletal injuries. They can be used alone or in conjunction with traditional pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical therapy options. Orthobiologic therapies, in particular, deliver high concentrations of naturally occurring cellular concentrates to an injury with the goal of accelerating the regeneration of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones, hence reducing recovery time and injury-related inflammation and discomfort.
Orthobiologic therapies are utilized in sports medicine to treat both acute and chronic disorders, including typical overuse injuries. Athletes and orthopedists frequently turn to orthobiologic therapy with the aim of quickly restoring an athlete to pre-injury physical condition. Generally, orthopedists will use biologics instead of medicines and/or invasive surgery.
What types of stem cells are best suited to treat orthopedic conditions?
The science of regenerative medicine has seen great growth, particularly in the field of orthopedic surgery. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer great regenerative potential, aiming to slow or halt chronic illness while also improving function and patient quality of life. Autologous bone marrow concentrate (BMC), adipose tissue, and allogenic umbilical cord-derived Wharton’s jelly (UC-WJ) can all be used to generate MSCs. These biologic techniques are becoming increasingly widespread in orthopedic treatment, owing to increased patient awareness and recent breakthroughs in MSC therapy.
In comparison to other sources, BMC and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are therapeutically available and have a lengthy history of use with good clinical results. However, both stem cell sources have drawbacks. BMC is linked to surgical site morbidity from the aspiration operation, a low quantity of MSCs in the aspirated bone marrow concentration, and early senescence. Although adipose-derived stem cells promise short-term clinical benefits, research on this topic is restricted, with few randomized controlled studies and insufficient long-term follow-up. Adipose-derived stem cells are also linked to donor site morbidity as a result of the extraction procedure.
WJ is an allogenic tissue made up of connective tissue in the umbilical cord. It withstands torsional and compressive pressures imposed on the umbilical arteries during fetal development. The UC-WJ contains primitive MSCs. These perinatal MSCs resemble embryonic stem cells (ESCs) yet have many of the characteristics of adult MSCs. When compared to other tissue types, Wharton’s jelly has the highest concentration of MSCs/mL. UC-derived Wharton’s jelly also contains a high concentration of extracellular matrix (ECM) components like collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and sulfated proteoglycans.
In comparison to autogenic tissues, Wharton’s jelly is more freely accessible and available. The UC, and the Wharton’s jelly contained inside it, is an after-birth tissue that is often eliminated after each birth. This ease of collection has various advantages over the current BMSC and ADSC harvests, both of which can cause donor site morbidity. This characteristic, together with the multipotency of Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSCs), makes Wharton’s jelly an excellent source of MSCs for regenerative medicine applications in orthopedic surgery.
Frequently asked questions on using stem cell therapy for chronic pain
Can’t find an answer? Please contact us.
We are happy to help.
How can stem cells help with chronic pain?
Mesenchymal stem cells (the type of cell we use at Stemwell) can help to relieve pain by stimulating tissue repair and reducing inflammation in the damaged region.
Stem cells release growth factors which help to promote the development of new cells. When injected into a targeted area, stem cells can specialize into the cells needed in that region to help stimulate repair. For example, they can develop into specialized cartilage or bone cells, helping to regenerate the necessary tissues to heal an injury. These cells then continue to divide, encouraging the body’s natural healing processes to continue regenerating the injured area.
Stem cells also release factors that improve inflammation in the affected area. Over time, tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation helps to promote healing, leading to a reduction in overall pain.
What chronic pain conditions can stem cell therapy treat?
Stem cell therapy can be used to provide pain relief in a wide range of conditions, such as:
- Tendonitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Injuries
- Neurological conditions
- Degenerative disk disease.
At Stemwell, we support people with a variety of conditions that cause daily pain and discomfort. To learn more about stem cell therapy and explore whether we can support you, apply now.
How effective is stem cell therapy for chronic pain?
It’s important to keep in mind that stem cell therapy is an experimental medicine approach. Stem cell therapy is not yet internationally approved to treat conditions such as chronic pain and more research is needed to understand the full safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapy.
Research so far indicates that stem cell therapy can help to reduce pain in a wide range of conditions1. However, results can vary greatly, indicating that larger and more long-term studies are needed to fully understand the effects of stem cell therapy.
Although more research is needed and stem cell therapy is still deemed experimental, we follow strict health regulations in Colombia to ensure patient safety.
How are stem cells administered into the body?
You may have a direct injection of stem cells into the area of pain. This helps to target chronic pain directly. Some people may also have an intravenous injection (where stem cells are administered into the bloodstream through an injection into the vein).
Is stem cell therapy for chronic pain safe?
So far, stem cell therapy shows to be low risk.
- Mesenchymal stem cells are not a blood product and are undifferentiated, blank cells. This means the body doesn’t view them as foreign, so the risk of rejection is very low.
- We rigorously screen and treat stem cells before administration to ensure they are safe for the individual.
- We follow strict protocols set by the Secretary of Health in Colombia, so we only use well-tested and approved methods.
- Stem cell therapy is non-invasive and doesn’t require surgery, making it far less intense and less risky than other treatments.
At Stemwell, we prioritize patient safety in all of our procedures. However, every individual reacts differently to medical treatments, so adverse reactions can’t be ruled out. We are happy to discuss any concerns about your risk level during a consultation.
How much does stem cell therapy for chronic pain cost?
We develop bespoke treatment plans for each individual to ensure the treatment is as effective as possible. This means there is no ‘standard cost’, and fees are based on your personalized plan. We can give you an indication of total costs during your consultation.
