According to a 2016 survey performed by National Health, approximately 30 percent of adults in the United States suffer from chronic joint pain. Frequently recommended therapies include OTC and prescription anti-inflammatory medications or topical pain relief therapies. Some may be advised to incorporate lifestyle changes. However, at best, the treatments provide only temporary relief. The science of regenerative therapy has the potential of providing permanent relief for millions.
As the human body ages, cells lose the ability to regenerate. Stem cells needed to create new cells and tissues are in fewer supply. Thus, when older adults suffer injury or musculoskeletal conditions, the body can no longer heal itself.
Regenerative therapy is used to reproduce cells, tissues and organs in order to restore normal function while alleviating pain. The treatment involves using stem cells injected into the affected area. The cells have the ability to transform into many types of adults cells ranging from bone and connective tissue to vascular structures. The therapy is used to regenerate cells, tissues and organs in order to restore normal function.
Physicians obtain the necessary stem cells from a patient's own blood sample. Bone marrow obtained while the individual is anesthetized is another common harvest method. Cord stem cells have proven to be the best option. A single stem cell obtained from an adult multiplies to 200 in one month's time. But, a single stem cell obtained from cord blood turns into one billion cells in the same length of time.
Regenerative Therapy Drawbacks
Drawbacks of the therapy include the cost. A single stem cell treatment costs anywhere from $500 to $2,000. In the majority of instances, the therapy is not covered by health insurance. While some patients experience relief after a single injection, others often require multiple treatments over the course of weeks or months before experiencing dramatic results.
Although considered rare, patients receiving regenerative therapy may suffer a wide range of side effects. Expected outcomes include a slight swelling and reddening at the injection site. The therapy may not produce any effects. Depending on where the stem cells originated, the body may also reject the cells. More serious complications include cells maturing into unwanted tissue types. Latent viruses may reoccur. Some may develop benign or malignant tumors.
