Spinal disks are critical to our spine’s general health. Yet it’s estimated that over 570 million people worldwide live with back pain1.
A herniated disk is often a main cause of pain and can occur when the spine is put under continual strain. This injury usually causes severe pain and discomfort, impacting daily life and overall wellbeing.
However, innovative regenerative medicine techniques such as stem cell therapy show promising potential in treating a herniated disk, improving pain relief and functioning, and slowing the progression of the injury.
Spinal disks are the cushions between each of the bones in your vertebrae (spine). They help your spine to bend and move, and absorb impact to protect the spine’s bones from wear and tear. Over time, these disks can start to wear down. This is known as degenerative disk disease.
Each spinal disk is made up of a robust outer layer called the annulus, and a soft inner layer called the nucleus. Sometimes, a split in the annulus causes the nucleus to bulge outwards. This is referred to as a herniated disk. Herniated disks can occur anywhere in the spine and the symptoms can vary greatly.
If a herniated disk hits a nearby nerve, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in a leg of arm. If neglected, a disk injury or degenerating disks can lead to chronic back and/or neck discomfort.
Stem cell therapy for herniated disks is an advanced treatment that harnesses the body’s own healing capabilities. As a minimally invasive alternative to traditional spinal surgeries, patients can usually return to daily activities within a few days of treatment.
Stem cells are undifferentiated or ‘blank’ cells which have a powerful ability to develop into a range of specialized cells. Cells which are important to our bodily functions, like white blood cells and red blood cells, all start as stem cells.
With this unique ability to transform into a wide range of specialized cells, stem cells present an opportunity to improve a variety of illnesses and injuries such as a herniated disk.
When injected into the body during stem cell therapy, stem cells can differentiate into the specialized cells needed in that area. For instance, when stem cells are injected directly into the herniated disk, they can develop into the cells needed to repair the tissues in the disk. Over time, these specialized cells divide exponentially, helping to repair and rejuvenate the cells in the damaged area. Stem cells also release growth factors to the targeted area which promotes a healing response and reduces inflammation.
Collectively, these factors can result in remarkable symptom alleviation and improved functioning.
Stem cell therapy has shown to be a successful therapeutic option for a variety of orthopedic problems.
However, stem cell therapy for herniated disks is still considered experimental. There are limited studies in this area. More research is needed to understand the full effectiveness of stem cell therapy for degenerative disk disease.
One clinical study found that treating patients with chronic discogenic back pain with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells led to significant improvements in pain symptoms and overall functioning2. However, this study had a very small sample size.
Reviews of studies into stem cell therapy for degenerative disk disease have also found a range of results. Clinical trials for low back pain have provided positive outcomes for disk repair, for instance, pain relief and improved disk hydration. Early phase clinical trials have also offered positive results, suggesting stem cell therapy provided relatively effective pain relief 3 4.
However, current clinical literature involves small sample sizes. Although results are promising, larger, more long-term studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for a herniated disk or degenerative disk disease.
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.
Find out if you qualify for our mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) infusion by completing our secure, HIPAA-compliant qualification form
The patient undergoes an initial evaluation and blood work by Stemwell’s doctor.
Endovenous detox therapy applied to patient
Localized intrathecal stem cell injections in trigger pain points
Hyperbaric Chamber therapy – Hyperbaric oxygen reduces inflammation, oxygenates injured muscle, and regenerates skeletal muscle via macrophage and satellite cell activation.
The fifth step is dedicated to the treatment of herniated disks through specialized therapies, including shockwave therapy, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, and laser therapy.
In certain cases, we may also utilize photobiomodulation to address herniated disk issues 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.
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At Stemwell, we use mesenchymal stem cells harvested from Whatron’s jelly – the mucoid tissue that surrounds the umbilical cord. Mesenchymal stem cells can be found in a range of areas in the body. However, it is believed that the umbilical cord is a source of extremely high-quality stem cells which have the most powerful and efficient differentiation abilities.
At Stemwell, we harvest stem cells from the umbilical cords of healthy donors. This is an ethical and consensual process. We never harvest stem cells from embryos.
Understandably, lots of patients are worried about whether the body will reject foreign stem cells. However, mesenchymal stem cells are completely undifferentiated, meaning the body’s immune system doesn’t recognise them as ‘foreign’ when they are introduced.
Therefore, the risk of rejection is very low. Mesenchymal stem cells have been administered thousands of times by our doctors at Stemwell, with no instances of rejection. Lots of research has also documented that mesenchymal stem cells have a range of properties that help them to avoid rejection during cell therapy5.
We also screen and analyze stem cells rigorously before administration to ensure there is no chance of rejection and that they are safe for each patient.
Stem cells are administered by a licensed physician directly into the ruptured disk via an injection. Sophisticated imaging techniques are used to ensure precise administration.
Some patients may also have an intravenous injection (where stem cells are passed through the bloodstream via a needle into the vein).
As there is limited research on using stem cell therapy for treating herniated disks, it is not possible to give a standard success rate or statistic.
The outcome of treatment – such as how much pain is reduced and how long pain relief lasts – may also vary hugely between patients. Outcomes often depend on factors such as the severity of individual injury, overall health, and response to treatment.
At Stemwell, we believe a personalized treatment plan can maximize the outcome for each patient. This means there is no ‘set’ cost and fees can vary between each person. After an in-depth consultation, we can guide you through an idea of the total fee.
Our expert team is committed to improving a wide range of conditions through using the most advanced regenerative medicine techniques. Using stem cell therapy, we’ve supported thousands of patients to improve their health and wellbeing, boosting their total quality of life.
To get started on your journey to improving a herniated disk or degenerative disk disease, apply today.
Our mission is to bring hope, healing, and a personalized plan to every patient we meet. We believe the caring hands and expertise of our doctors along with our proven protocols provide the best possible outcomes. We follow the highest ethical international standards offering transparency, honesty, and clinical accuracy.
Stem cell therapy offers no guarantees and is not promoted as a cure. This is similar to many other medical treatments. Reviewing the patient’s medical history is necessary to determine stem cell therapy eligibility. Any personal information provided is for internal and medical use with our medical providers only. The Stemwell Health headquarters is located in McLean, Virginia. Stemwell Health Virginia is not a stem cell treatment facility or surgical center. Treatments are not conducted anywhere in the US, since these advanced therapies are not yet FDA-approved. All cell therapies are conducted in Colombia where it is regulated by the ministry of health, INVIMA (Columbia’s FDA equivalent) and other local authorities. All treatments are performed within the country’s legal limits and regulatory framework where the specific medical provider practices.
