Chronic back pain is a problem for many Americans. Most chronic back pain is due to degeneration of the discs in the spine, either from aging, from injury, or strain from years of physical labor. Now there is a new treatment for the spine in stem cell therapy. Here’s what you need to know before you try it.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
In stem cell therapy, stem cells are harvested from your bone marrow or fat and then injected into the spine. The stem cells immediately go to work repairing tissues and strengthening bone and cartilage in the spine. This can reduce inflammation, reduce chronic pain, and sometimes even reverse the degeneration of the discs of the spine.
How Does It Work?
Stem cells contain proteins that reduce inflammation and relieve pain. In addition, stem cells are utilized by your body naturally in the repair of tissues and bone. Stem cell therapy simply takes advantage of what stem cells normally do in the body by concentrating them in one area (the spine) to produce specific results.
Is It Always Successful?
Research is ongoing into stem cell therapy and how it can affect the spine. The research done so far has been very promising, with a recent study showing that the procedure is safe and does produce results in some people. However, it does not work for everyone. There may be some health factors that determine how successful the procedure is, but these are highly debated and still being researched.
If you are tired of having chronic pain in your spine and want to try something different, stem cell therapy could give you some relief. Contact us today for more information or to schedule your initial appointment.