Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, is being closely studied for its potential to provide a long-term solution for degenerative disc disease and other spine problems.
Current treatments for most neck and back pain may only offer temporary relief for a disorder that affects 30 million people each year.
Causes of Neck and Back Pain
Not all spinal pain is caused by degenerative disc disease, but it is the most common cause. Degenerative disc disease can occur when joints in the spine begin to wear down. The condition can be caused by injury, disease, genetics, or, most commonly, aging.
Natural wear and tear on the spine cause this form of arthritis, resulting in mild to severe pain, making everyday mobility difficult. Spinal discs are filled with a soft, jelly-like substance that cushions the spine and the sensitive bundles of nerves that run through it.
If the disc is damaged due to injury or experiencing wear and tear, the cushioning substance can leak out, causing a bulge that irritates nerve roots. Depending on which nerves are involved, the pain can run down the spine into one or both legs.
Facet joint dysfunction occurs when the spinal facets that keep vertebral bodies stable become injured. Sports accidents, whiplash, and other forms of trauma can affect facet joints. Pain from the facet joint system typically radiates across the thoracic (middle) spine, down to the lower back, or up to the neck.
Is Regenerative Medicine the Answer?
Regenerative medicine has the potential to help manage various health issues, including neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. Stem cell therapy has been studied to show promising results for patients find neck and back pain relief without the risks of surgery.
The introduction of mesenchymal stem cells — the “adult” cells from which all other tissues are made — can restore the worn cartilage that leads to the conditions that cause spinal pain.
Stem cell therapy utilizes mesenchymal stem cells to support the body’s natural healing ability. In addition to rebuilding damaged tissues, mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain, bringing relief as new cells are busy rebuilding.
One of the benefits of stem cell therapy is that stem cells continue to multiply and migrate to injured areas for up to a year after treatment. Patients receive the short-term benefits of pain relief and lower inflammation while also receiving the long-term benefit of cellular rejuvenation.
Regenerative medicine has shown promise to help eliminate back pain from degenerative disc disease and other causes. Stem cell therapy is used for both chronic and acute spinal pain. However, the sooner patients can receive treatment, the earlier they can return to regular activity.
Stem-cell therapy should not be considered a miracle cure for pain, but it can be an important part of a patient’s overall treatment plan.
Stem cell therapy is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure that requires very little downtime and no prescription drugs. It has been shown to effectively relieve joint pain, pain from facet syndrome, and pain related to degenerative disease.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for spinal stenosis, also known as stem cell for spinal stenosis. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
