What is stem cell therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a form of regenerative medicine created to repair damaged cells within the body by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system. This phenomenon makes stem cell therapy a viable treatment option for a number of medical conditions. Stem cell therapies have been used to treat autoimmune, inflammatory, neurological, orthopedic conditions and traumatic injuries with studies performed on use for Crohn's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, COPD, Parkinson's, ALS, Stroke recovery and more.
While stem cell therapy does not always offer a cure for these conditions, the objective is to allow the body to heal itself well enough to minimize the symptoms of the conditions for long periods. In some cases, this result can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals as well as delay disease progression.
Where do stem cells originate from?
Stem cells can be obtained from various sources. These include adipose (fat tissue), umbilical cord tissue, placental tissue, umbilical cord blood, or bone marrow.
How are stem cells administered?
Stem cells can be administered in a number of ways; IV Stem Cell Therapy (Intravenous administration), Intrathecal (directly into the spinal canal), Site injections into problem areas (Knee, hips, hands, etc.).
How does stem cell therapy work?
Mesenchymal stem cells use their self-renewal, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, signaling, and differentiation qualities to influence positive change within the body. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) also have the capacity to self-renew by dividing and turning into various specialized cell types present in a specific tissue or organ. Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells, indicating they present no ethical issues, MSCs are not sourced from embryonic material.
Stem cells target inflammation
The therapeutic uses of stem cells as a possible treatment for a range of conditions has been immensely explored, the amount of clinical trials conducted with Mesenchymal Stem Cells has increased significantly over the past few years.
Stem cells have a distinct, inherent property that attracts them to inflammation in the body. Studies have shown that stem cells can regenerate damaged or diseased tissues, minimize inflammation and modulate the immune system promoting better health and quality of life. Mesenchymal stem cells do this by influencing tissue repair via paracrine effects (cell signaling in order to alter the behavior of existing cells) or direct cell-to-cell contact.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are the body's raw materials-- cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are created. Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that have self-renewal, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, signaling, and differentiation properties. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), self renewal capacity is defined by their ability to divide and develop into numerous specialized cell types present in a particular tissue or organ.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be sourced from a variety of tissues including adipose tissue (fat), bone marrow, umbilical cord tissue, blood, liver, dental pulp, and also skin.
MSCs are widely utilized in the treatment of different diseases due to their self-renewable, differentiation, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory qualities. In-vitro (performed in a laboratory setting) and in-vivo (occurring in a living organism) studies have supported the understanding mechanisms, safety, and efficacy of MSC therapy in clinical applications.
Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to become new types of cells
A stem cell can turn into many different cell types in the human body. The process of stem cells maturing into new kinds of cells is called differentiation. This process is the most critical aspect of stem cell therapies, as the cells become the kind of cells needed for one's body to heal.
Stem cells are also self-replicating; this ability allows the cells to multiply into identical copies of themselves. For example, if stem cells were used to treat a neurological injury, cells administered during treatment can turn into nerve cells, and then multiply to produce significantly more nerve cells by themselves. This ability to multiply substantially increases the effectiveness of stem cell therapies over time.
How is stem cell therapy utilized?
Stem cell therapy may have the ability to treat orthopedic, inflammatory, autoimmune and neurological conditions, with studies conducted on use for Crohn's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, COPD, Parkinson's, ALS, Stroke recovery and more.
Stem cells do not necessarily provide a cure for these problems. The goal is allowing the body to heal itself well enough to reduce the symptoms of the conditions for long periods. In some cases, this alone allows for a substantial improvement in quality of life for patients.
Will the body reject stem cells?
Cord-tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells do not have any risk of rejection within the body. They are youthful, immune-privileged, undifferentiated cells that have no rejection in the body given that they have yet to be "claimed.".
There are no blood products related to them either, eliminating the need for a donor match; they are universally accepted. These cells seek out inflammation in the body and start to heal the damaged tissue. Mesenchymal cord tissue-derived stem cells have been administered thousands of times at clinics around the world without instances of rejection.
For more information about Dr. Linette's practice and Stem Cells in El Cajon, California, contact us at 760-875-2627 or visit our website at LinetteWilliamson.com and schedule your appointment today!