If you seek alternative medical treatments, you might be curious to learn more about stem cell therapy. This treatment falls in the category of regenerative medicine and offers undeniable benefits for patients of all ages.
The results are irrefutable: many patients have a positive experience with stem cell therapy. This treatment is becoming more widely known and is even discussed in the news and online.
As with any therapy or treatment, the best thing you can do is learn more about the treatment method and how it works to determine if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
While stem cell therapy is a promising solution for various medical conditions, it isn’t the magic solution that will work for every patient. But as you learn more about what stem cells are and how they work, it’s easy to see how this treatment can offer positive benefits for many patients.
Stem Cell Therapy: What You Need to Know
This regenerative medicine promotes natural healing functions in the body, helping repair damaged cells and boost overall healing. Not only do the stem cells affect the immune system, but they also can reduce inflammation.
The interesting thing to know is that stem cells are naturally present in your body already. When this therapy is used, stem cells are extracted and used in concentrated formulas to boost the healing activity in the targeted treatment area.
Stem cells are raw materials within the body. These building block cells are how other specialized cells are generated. When the conditions are right, stem cells divide and multiply, forming more daughter cells that can become either new stem cells or specialized cells with a specific function.
How Is Stem Cell Therapy Used?
Many doctors and researchers agree that we are on the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to potential treatments using stem cell therapy. Various medical conditions can be treated using this method, helping patients reduce their symptoms and overcome chronic pain.
Not only can stem cells be used as a treatment for orthopedic conditions, but it’s also commonly used for patients with autoimmune disorders, inflammatory responses, traumatic injuries, and neurological issues.
Researchers have conducted studies on many different types of diseases, including Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Chron’s disease, COPD, stroke recovery, severe burns, blood cancers, and more.
It’s important to remember that stem cell therapy won’t cure these conditions. But promoting the healing functions within the body often results in improved symptoms and lower pain levels, enabling patients to live a more fulfilling and active lifestyle. If a disease can’t be cured, then the goal is to increase the quality of life and slow the disease’s progression.
Where Stem Cells Come From
Continuing medical advances mean that there are more and more ways that regenerative medicine can be used. Researchers continue to study the application of stem cells, with many potential uses in the future.
There are several sources of stem cells that can be used for regenerative therapy.
- Embryonic Stem Cells: Embryos that are 3 – 5 days old can be a source for stem cells. These embryos are known as “blastocysts” and contain an estimated 150 cells. They are in the earliest stages of development, which means they are versatile and can grow into any cell within the body. As a result, these stem cells can be helpful for repair and regeneration of organs and tissue.
- Adult Stem Cells: Many tissues within the body contain stem cells, including fat and bone marrow. These stem cells have limited abilities compared to embryonic stem cells. Early-stage clinical trials are in process to understand more about how stem cells can create various types of cells (not only other similar types of cells).
- Reprogrammed Adult Cells: Researchers have figured out how to use genetic reprogramming to alter regular adult cells, so they act in a similar manner as embryonic stem cells. This method could be beneficial since it reduces the risk of immune rejection from embryonic stem cells.
- Perinatal Stem Cells: Another type of stem cell comes from umbilical cord blood or amniotic fluid that protects the developing fetus.
There is much controversy around the topic of embryonic stem cells since it’s necessary to destroy an embryo in order to collect the stem cells. So, medical experts and patients have raised ethical concerns, which is why many states have guidelines and laws for using embryonic stem cells.
The good news is that researchers are finding other ways to use different types of stem cells.
What Happens When You Have Stem Cell Therapy?
Different types of stem cell therapy are available, depending on the condition you are treating and the provider you visit. When this therapy is used, stem cells (or their derivatives) are injected into injured or diseased tissue to repair damage and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes.
When you have stem cell therapy, the treatment uses stem cells that were grown in a lab. Researchers controlled the cell growth, so they are shaped into specific types of cells, such as nerve cells, blood cells, or muscle cells.
Next, the cells are implanted into the target area. For example, if a patient suffers from liver disease, the stem cells can be injected into the liver. These new, healthy cells play an essential role in repairing and replacing the injured or damaged cells in the heart.
How Long Does It Take for Stem Cell Therapy to Work?
It’s important to understand that you shouldn’t expect immediate results after stem cell therapy. It takes time for the cells to work and rebuild the damaged tissue.
Some patients notice improvements within just a few days. But the most typical result is for patients to experience the full benefits of the treatment after 4 – 6 weeks. These results vary from patient to patient, depending on the person’s overall health, the patient’s age, the severity of the condition being treated, and more.
Even though there aren’t any guarantees that stem cell therapy will work, many people have had positive results with this treatment. In fact, pain relief can last for several years, offering ongoing benefits from successful treatments.
Learn More About Stem Cell Therapy
If you are wondering whether stem cell therapy is right for you, then the first step is to schedule a consultation with an experienced doctor. Reach out to us at RegenOrthoSport to learn more about your options.
When you visit our clinic, you will see that we provide full-service solutions that can be helpful for everything from chronic pain to orthopedic injuries and more. Book an appointment at your convenience by calling us at +91 7306070809.