1. Exploring Stem Cell Therapy

2. Stem cell therapy may sound like a complex
biological process, and it is. However, the basic
function of stem cells can be relatively easy to
understand. Simply put, stem cells are
unspecialized or undifferentiated cells found in
the body that can help renew and repair tissues
through the process of cell division. The amazing
thing about these unspecialized cells is their
ability to divide into more stem cells or become
different types of cells with a more specialized
function, for example, heart cells, muscle cells,
or nerve cells.

3. Types of Stem Cells
Scientists have discovered two main types of stem cells in the past 50 years:
embryonic and somatic (adult) stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived
from embryos and may prove helpful in treating diseases like Parkinson’s,
diabetes, and heart disease. Somatic stem cells are found in areas of the body
composed of specialized cells (bone marrow, brain tissue, skeletal muscles,
etc.) and are capable of remaining dormant for long periods of time until they
are activated by the body’s need for additional specific cell types, or by tissue
injury or disease.
One type of somatic stem cell, called mesenchymal or bone marrow stromal
stem cells, resides in bone marrow and hasbeen found to regenerate cells
that promote blood formation, as well as bone, fat, cartilage, and fibrous
connective tissues. These adult stem cells form the foundation on which new
medical procedures have been developed to help treat degenerating
intervertebral discs in the spine.

4. How Do Intervertebral Discs
Degenerate Over Time?
In a healthy spine, the intervertebral discs are
spongy, pliable pads consisting mainly of
water, proteoglycan proteins, and collagen.
These discs are responsible for absorbing
shock in the spine and helping to facilitate the
many directional movements that the back
and neck is capable of. However, just like
other areas of the body, discs are susceptible
to the effects of wear and tear. Years of
twisting, turning, lifting, and bending – often
compounded by poor posture, injuries, an
unbalanced diet, and other factors – can lead
to the dehydration and weakening of
intervertebral discs. This deterioration may
eventually cause a disc to bulge or herniate.

5. Symptoms of Disc Degeneration
Bulging or herniated discs in the cervical (neck), thoracic
(mid-back), and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine
can cause discogenic pain, or pain that arises from the
disc itself. Additionally, if displaced disc material impinges
upon the spinal cord or one of its nerve roots, shooting
pain, numbness, weakness, and tingling can affect the
upper or lower extremities. A damaged disc can also
shrink in height and cause abnormal facet joint function,
which may eventually lead to the development of spinal
arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and other spine conditions
that cause pain and stiffness.

6. Common Treatments for
Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
A regimen of doctor-recommended conservative treatments, such as
physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and low-impact exercise is
typically able to mitigate symptoms caused by deteriorating discs. Until
recently, patients with severe disc degeneration and spine instability
who did not respond to several weeks or months of conservative
therapies were mostly relegated to highly invasive spinal fusion
surgery. Discs are avascular (have no direct blood supply) so damaged
disc material does not usually regenerate on its own like other soft
tissues in the body can. Now, with advancements in stem cell therapy,
mesenchymal stem cells can be extracted from bone marrow and
placed in a degenerating disc to promote regeneration via a minimally
invasive, outpatient procedure.

7. What the Procedure Entails
Minimally invasive stem cell therapy procedures for degenerating discs
involve the injection of stem cells and platelet-rich plasma into a
damaged disc. Then, a low-level laser is used to stimulate stem cells to
encourage proteoglycan production and tissue regeneration. Overall,
the procedure can help improve disc health, slow the process of
degeneration, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. This minimally
invasive procedure, which can be performed at any level of the spine,
provides patients who may have otherwise needed invasive back or
neck surgery with an effective alternative.
If you’re considering back or neck surgery, be sure to research
minimally invasive stem cell therapy procedures for the spine, and
contact the facilities offering this treatment to find out if you’re a
candidate.