When you’re in intense pain, you’ll do just about anything to make it stop. Approximately 75.7 million people in the U.S. suffer from neck and back pain. Many seek alternative forms of treatment such as chiropractic care to get away from addictive medications. Some chiropractors are offering stem cell regeneration therapy to help ease the pain. But what is it exactly and does it truly work? Here’s everything you need to know about stem cell regeneration and its potential benefits.
What is Stem Cell Regeneration Therapy?
This treatment is designed to give your body the ability to reduce pain and repair itself by injecting stem cells into damaged areas. Because of public media attention, many people associate stem cells with embryonic tissues but there are a variety of adult stem cells as well. Stem cell therapy can be used to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic pain, and injuries. Regenerative medicine isn’t a new idea. Blood transfusions, skin grafts, and bone marrow transplants have been around for years and these are forms of cell therapy.
How Does It Work?
Stem cells are injected into the body where the pain is generating from. The procedure is minimally invasive and you can resume normal activities within a day or two. The procedure must be performed by a trained medical physician, so your chiropractor will need to refer you to a qualified doctor in your local area. It’s important to note that stem cell therapy is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. When considering this treatment, it’s crucial that you investigate any medical professionals you choose to perform the procedure thoroughly and understand all the risks involved.
What Are The Benefits?
There are many reported benefits to receiving stem cell therapy. These include reduced inflammation and pain, less joint friction, stronger joints, and increased mobility. It appears to be most useful for those experiencing pain from tennis elbow or arthritic knees. You typically won’t see these results overnight. It can be a few months before you see any significant progress. There appears to be minimal side effects from treatment, as well.
Stem cell regeneration can improve the quality of life for patients experiencing chronic pain. It can take a while to see the benefits but could be a better alternative than relying on pain medication. You will need to discuss this alternative with your doctor to see if it’s right for you. You will also want to check with your insurance company to make sure this procedure is covered before undergoing treatment.