Stem cells are turning out to be a new resource in the fight against chronic pain.

Living with chronic pain is no laughing matter. People with chronic joint, neck, or back pain have limited treatment options – or at least their options used to be limited.

  • Pain killers have been a necessary go-to move for generations of healthcare providers. The obvious problem with long-term usage of pain medicine is the risk of addiction.
  • Still other patients have elected to receive steroid injections in the affected areas. The problem with this form of treatment is that the injections only last for three to six months before they wear off.
  • Patients with the most severe instances of pain may also have surgery as an option; but that really depends on the source of their pain.

Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Many healthcare providers are starting to see new forms of regenerative medicine as a powerful tool in the fight against pain. Doctors’ future weapon of choice seems to be stem cells.

The cells once injected have the ability to repair damaged tissues and bring long-term relief to patients. They represent an excellent alternative to surgery.

Doctors can use stem cells collected directly from the patient and from amniotic fluid (these are not embryonic stem cells).

Physicians are citing substantial benefits using stem cell treatments. The biggest benefit is that the injections can last a lifetime according to Dr. Pablo Zeballos from Dallas, Texas.

Regenerative therapy presents a tremendous solution for affected patients. Plain and simple, this is the only solution that actually heals damaged tissues.

When you consider up to 500,000 spinal fusions are done every year in the United States. These surgeries are addressing problems related to disc degeneration. When you consider it, the healing potential using stem cells is remarkable.

The Treatment May Not Work For Everyone

Not everyone may be eligible for stem cell treatment, so be sure to talk to your physician to see if the treatment will work for you. Those most likely to benefit include people suffering from the following:

  • Discogenic back pain. (pain causes from a damaged vertebral disc, particularly due to degenerative disc disease)
  • Osteoporosis in the joints.
  • Some pinched nerves.
  • Rotator cuff tears.
  • Tendon or muscle tears.

Patients that do have the procedure frequently report benefits within 2-3 months; but talk to your doctor about what you should expect and if this treatment is right for you.