Non-surgical solutions for back pain
Back and neck pain are, unfortunately, one of the most common reasons patients visit their physician. There are many causes of neck and back pain, and about 95% of patients can be managed conservatively with physical therapy, cortisone injections, massage, osteopathic or chiropractic manipulation, medications and time.
When these treatments have failed to alleviate the pain, conventional treatment may turn to surgery as an end result to take away the pain. In many cases, however, surgery is not the best answer and sometimes may not even help a patient.
How can advanced stem cell treatments help?
Early research has shown that treatment with non-surgical regenerative therapies such as bone marrow concentrate (stem cell) injections and prolotherapy have been helpful for treating a number of conditions for the spine. Regenerative medicine treatments can activate your body’s own adult stem cells and blood platelets to stimulate healing and speed repair for bone, muscle, joint, soft tissue and nerve injuries.
We all have healing stem cells in our bodies. Primarily found in bone marrow, these cells act as repairmen and can regenerate into the type of cell that is needed when injected into an injured area. There are several different kinds of stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are the type that we use in orthopedic treatments.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells
MSCs have the strongest potential to repair muscle, bone, joint and soft tissue injuries. These cells have the ability to self-replicate, reduce inflammation and differentiate into cartilage, bone, muscle and fat cells, and can help the body regenerate the lost tissue in the injured area.
The regenerative cells in the bone marrow concentrate can activate your body’s ability to heal itself.
Healing Back Pain
For example, when these cells are placed in an injured environment, such as a degenerated disc of the back, the cells can recognize that the disc cells have started to break down and can help to regenerate them to give the discs more water content and volume. Also in the case of degenerative disc disease, the cells produce anti-inflammatory proteins (cytokines) which help to reduce pain and improve disability related to the spine. Learn more here.
Call to schedule an appointment to discuss your treatment options with one of our physicians to determine if stem cell treatment is appropriate for you.
What if we find that regenerative treatments are not right for you?
Outside of regenerative treatments, our practice specializes in general orthopedics and sports medicine. If we find that you are not a good candidate for regenerative procedures, we can explore many other ways of managing your pain.
