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Stem cell therapy is one of the new treatment options technology has made possible. However, only a few people understand how it works, the medical conditions it can treat, and who is the perfect candidate. Some tend to be amazed when they learn that stem cells can be sourced from our bodies. If you live around Caldwell, stem cell treatments are readily available at Alternative Disc Therapy. Book an appointment or call to know whether your injury can be corrected with this option.
What is stem cell therapy?
The human body has special cells that can develop to be any other particular type of cell. They are unique because other cells that our bodies generate do not have that ability. They can also divide in the laboratory, but only under the right conditions.
Stem cell therapy facilitates the repair of injured tissue. Specialists can develop the stem cells into specific cells, such as nerve cells or heart muscle cells, in the lab. The advantage of this type of regenerative medicine is that the cells come from your own body, eliminating the chances of rejection. In the past, using donor organs has resulted in rejections.
What are the various types of stem cells?
Stem cells vary in type, with each having different abilities to form other cells. Their sources are also different. They include:
- Adult stem cells: These stem cells are found in adult tissues like fat and bone marrow. In comparison with the others, they have a better ability to generate new daughter cells. Doctors exploit this knowledge to test them in various other body organs. For example, stem cells harvested from the bone marrow can be used to treat a heart condition.
- Embryonic stem cells: This type is collected from embryos about three days old. At that stage, the embryo cells have the ability to develop into any other different cells. They are versatile and therefore are suitable for use in repairing tissues.
- Induced pluripotent cells: These are adult stem cells manipulated to possess embryonic stem cells’ properties. This allows doctors to use the adult cells instead of the embryonic ones, which have higher chances of rejection.
- Perinatal stem cells: These stem cells are harvested from the umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid. Like all the others, they too possess the ability to become other specialized cells.
Are they safe?
Doctors have recorded successful transplants of stem cells from the bone marrow to other areas. So, it is true that they can work. Some of the conditions that are treatable include blood-related diseases such as leukemia and certain cancer cases. They have also helped to repair a lot of damaged tissue.
What are the benefits?
- They don’t require general anesthesia during the procedure
- Have minimal recovery time
- Reduces the chances of rejection
- Avoids surgery
- Reduces the risk of infectious diseases as cells come from the owner
Warren J. Bleiweiss, MD, is a qualified physician who deals with regenerative and pain medicine. Book an appointment today if you have a spine, joint, or immune issue to put an end to chronic pain.
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