Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain sufferers often experience diminished quality of life and must alter their daily routines, typically giving up activities which previously brought them joy. As a result, the persistent discomfort isn’t always just physical, but may also lead to emotional challenges such as depression.

Unfortunately, the treatment options for chronic pain pose their own unique challenges. Many, such as home remedies and over-the-counter pain medications, may work for some but also may be ineffective for relieving the pain for others. Some have tried nonmedicinal ways to relieve pain. Surgeries and prescription painkillers come with risks and side effects. Now, however, patients are finding new hope in the form of stem cell therapy.

Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Pain

Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine which aims to restore and repair human cells. It can address chronic pain and the conditions that cause it by not simply masking the discomfort, but tackling its source at a cellular level.

The innovative approach is based on research which first started during the 1960s. It was then that tissue engineering was first being used to create synthetic skin for grafting. Over the years, the applications for regenerative medicine have only expanded, with the potential benefits now being extended to people with chronic pain.

Addressing Chronic Pain at the Source

Many people experience chronic pain resulting from a musculoskeletal injury caused by illness or trauma. Up to 31 million U.S. adults experience back pain on some level. Oftentimes, the back pain is acute at first, and ultimately becomes chronic.

While stem cell therapy is not a “cure-all” and isn’t right for every type of pain, in recent decades, it has emerged as a promising option for musculoskeletal issues. This form of regenerative medicine has drawn the attention of doctors, geneticists, chemists, and biologists, among other professionals. Many have collaborated to find ways for these powerful cells to aid in healing and restore function. The overarching objective is to create biologically sound substitutes for damaged tissue while also eliminating pain.

There tends to be much confusion about how stem cell therapy works. Since there are so many different applications for the treatment, the precise modalities can vary from one condition – and patient – to the next. The administration of stem cells is minimally invasive and doesn’t require surgery. Instead, the stem cells can be administered intravenously or directly to the injured site. The stem cells have the natural ability to give rise to any cell type, self-renew, and reduce inflammation.

As a result, the treatment can be a powerful means of reducing pain levels and restoring quality of life for people with chronic pain.

This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for the joints, also known as stem cell therapy for joints! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.