What are stem cells?
Stem cells are a part of your body’s natural repair system. These cells have the unique ability to regenerate into any type of cell, including bone, muscle, and nerve cells.
Because of their regenerative abilities, the team at Oklahoma Spine & Brain Institute uses stem cells in the treatment of many spine conditions, including:
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Herniated discs
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
You may also be a candidate for stem cell therapy if you develop chronic neck or back pain that relates to spine trauma from falls or a car accident.
How does stem cell therapy work?
Stem cell therapy involves injections of a high concentration of stem cells into the damaged area of your spine. The Oklahoma Spine & Brain Institute team uses stem cells from your body, which are in fatty tissue and bone marrow.
They first prepare the extracted cells in a centrifuge to separate out other materials. The remaining concentrate is what your provider uses for your treatment. To keep you comfortable during the injections, your provider can apply a numbing medicine to your skin.
In the weeks after your injections, stem cells continue to grow and replace damaged tissue and bone in your spine. It can take several months for you to achieve the optimal benefit of stem cell therapy, but you may begin to notice a reduction in your pain and an increase in your mobility within a week or two after treatment.
What are the benefits of stem cell therapy?
There are many benefits to using stem cell therapy to repair damaged areas of your spine.
Some of the most popular benefits of stem cell therapy include:
- Fast procedure time
- Little risk for complications
- No downtime or recovery
- No limitations on activities
After stem cell therapy, your body continues to heal itself from the inside out. You can also expect to reduce your dependence on medications and the need for steroid injections to relieve pain as you continue to heal.
To find out if stem cell therapy is right for you, schedule a consultation by calling the Oklahoma Spine & Brain Institute office nearest you today.
