In the 21st century, modern medicine makes strides in advanced research and treatments to increase your overall quality of life. One of the most exciting realms of innovation in medicine currently is Stem Cell Research.

This regenerative medicine treatment option uses the body’s ability to heal itself by using cells already in the body or from other sources to replace damaged tissues or deteriorating cells. Many have heard the term “stem cell research” but are unsure how it works and what causes it to be an effective treatment option for those who suffer from degenerative diseases.

Below, we have briefly explained the process and benefits of using stem cell injections to treat disease.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the body’s natural way of repairing and replacing damaged and dying cells. These blank cells are readily available to replace cells as needed once your stem cell therapy doctor extracts them. They then become specialized for the area where they are required.

Types of Stem Cells:

There are various stem cell types, but the most commonly used cells for injection treatment are mesenchymal, amniotic fluid, embryonic, and induced pluripotent. 

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC)

These are stem cells found in the connective tissue of the body. These cells are used as a treatment for specific areas of the body because they can be located near particular regions and thus are already taking on specific functions of certain tissues. This type of cell is often found in bone marrow and is excellent when it repairs skeletal tissues.

Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells (AFSC)

Our practice uses amniotic fluid stem cells in our stem cell therapy methods for pain management. They are stem cells we isolate from amniotic fluid that surrounds a growing embryo and we take the FDA’s ethical guidelines seriously during this process. We do not harm the woman nor her embryo while extracting stem cells and the medical field debates AFSC’s far less than clinics that take stem cells from donated embryos.

AFSC’s can vary in their phenotype depending on what trimester our team pulls stem cells and how we isolate them. As a result, we can reprogram these cells without genetic manipulation to resemble embryonic stem cells or other stem cells more closely. We can implement adaptive AFSC’s in your stem cell treatment to meet your chronic pain needs and replace your body’s damaged cells.

Embryonic Stem Cells

The controversial association with stem cell therapy is because of this specific type of stem cell. Embryonic stem cells originate in embryos and umbilical cords of newborns. Because this type of cell is newly created, these cells can quickly take on new functions during stem cell treatments.

In early research, stem cells were only available from this type, and many politicians and citizens were concerned about the research’s ethical nature. Now though, scientists have developed methods for extracting stem cells from the bone marrow of adults and other safe sources, such as amniotic fluid.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPS)

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells are cells created in a lab. The process entails extracting cells from anywhere in the adult body, and then in a lab, more are created until there is a sufficient amount for treatment. Doctors remove fewer cells than with the previous forms in this case.

What is the process for Stem Cell Injection?

Stem cell therapy is a non-invasive outpatient procedure. The doctor will extract stem cells from the patient’s body or other FDA-approved sources and then inject them into areas where they are needed. The entire procedure takes 3-4 hours in the doctor’s office and recovery time is typically only a few days. Repeat appointments over several weeks may be necessary, depending on severity.

Studies have shown that pain relief for damaged areas usually improves within weeks.

Who is a candidate for stem cell injection?

Stem cell injections prove to be an effective treatment for degenerative issues such as joint pain, arthritis, rotator cuff and knee injuries, tissue damage, and skeletal deterioration. They are also an effective tool in collaboration with traditional treatments for patients who have Alzheimer’s disease.

In the United States, there are thousands of ongoing clinical trials involving stem cell injections to improve health and wellness and pain relief. Therefore if you suffer from a different diagnosis not mentioned above, it is still a great idea to ask about your options.

Stem Cell Therapy at Arizona Pain and Spine

At Arizona Pine and Spine, we offer stem cell injections for various treatments. We believe modern medicine offers emerging technologies like this that can work miracles in your life. It is a safe and tested method for all ages that doctors use in progressive laboratories and facilities.

It is our goal to help you achieve a thriving and pain-free life. Stem Cell therapy can be safe, effective, and FDA approved. If you suffer from pain, schedule a consultation with us to see if Stem Cell Injections are the tool you need to improve your quality of life. You can also call our office at 480.986.7246 to speak with our representatives from either of our three Arizona locations.