Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain
Non-Invasive Therapy for Spinal Pain and Injuries
Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain Overview
Among our entire musculoskeletal system, our spine is probably the most complicated and most often damaged. For years doctors have performed treatments, therapies and surgical procedures in an attempt to repair damage to the spine. but all too often, their attempts produce less than acceptable results. And recovering from spinal surgery can require up to a year. In recent years however, a new therapy for spinal pain is showing promising results. In some cases, spinal conditions can be improved with stem cell therapy for back pain. An approach that makes use of the body’s own healing power.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells are the specific type of stem cells within our body that replicate and differentiate into the bone, cartilage, connective tissues and muscles cells that are all key components of the spine. Orthopedic stem cell therapy is a safe, minimally-invasive procedure where millions of a patient’s mesenchymal stem cells are harvested from a small amount your body’s adipose tissue, (body fat), then injected directly into damaged or injured areas of the spine. The injections plus IV stem cells work to repair the damaged bone, cartilage, connective tissues and muscles cells that make up the spine. The following is a more detailed explanation of stem cell therapy for back pain.
How Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain Works
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the spine is based on the same knowledge and understanding that mesenchymal stem cell therapy for joints is based on. We know that when bone cells, cartilage cells, and connective tissue cells such as cartilage cells and tendon cells are damaged or begin to die, they call for help using paracrine signaling. We also know that mesenchymal stem cells respond to these signals from cells of the mesenchyme, hence their name. However, age and other conditions within our bodies can slow and interfere with this response.
Stem cell therapy is like any other therapy. It is assisting the body’s natural healing process. Stem cell therapy is a process by which millions of mesenchymal stem cells are gathered from one area of a patient’s own body and placed directly into the areas where they are needed. In the case of the spine, to help them quickly respond in mass to the signaling from damaged bone cells, cartilage cells and connective tissue cells.
How Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain Works
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the spine is based on the same knowledge and understanding that mesenchymal stem cell therapy for joints is based on. We know that when bone cells, cartilage cells, and connective tissue cells such as cartilage cells and tendon cells are damaged or begin to die, they call for help using paracrine signaling. We also know that mesenchymal stem cells respond to these signals from cells of the mesenchyme, hence their name. However, age and other conditions within our bodies can slow and interfere with this response.
Stem cell therapy is like any other therapy. It is assisting the body’s natural healing process. Stem cell therapy is a process by which millions of mesenchymal stem cells are gathered from one area of a patient’s own body and placed directly into the areas where they are needed. In the case of the spine, to help them quickly respond in mass to the signaling from damaged bone cells, cartilage cells and connective tissue cells.
How Millions of a Patient’s Live Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Be Harvested
Now that we understand how our body uses mesenchymal stem cells to repair and replace bone, cartilage, connective tissue and muscle cells, the next question is how do we help them get to the areas where they are needed? Simply put, we physically move as many of them to the treatment area as possible. And there are a few different ways to do this. Some more effective than others.
Dr. Obi’s first step in stem cell therapy for back pain is much different than most other stem cell therapy centers. While most centers today opt for either harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, which yields less than 10,000 viable cells per 2 ounces of bone marrow, or purchasing frozen umbilical cord cells that can lead to possible genetic and epigenetic changes, and low cell survival rates. Dr. Obi trains physicians on harvesting millions of live viable mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue, (body fat).
Extensive research and hundreds of physicians who participated with Dr. Obi in national IRBs, (Institutional Review Boards) have repeatedly verified that harvesting mesenchymal stem cells from the patient’s own adipose tissue, (body fat) allows for the collection of 10s of millions of live viable mesenchymal stem cells.
We begin by collecting a small amount of body fat using a closed sterile, FDA approved fat collection system called Adivive®. This allows us to harvest what we refer to as SVF or Stromal Vascular Fraction.
Stromal Vascular Fraction, SVF Explained
Stromal: Best explained as a pinch of fat. The first layer of fat directly beneath the skin.
Vascular: Within the Stromal fat, there are tiny blood vessels where mesenchymal stem cells are found in abundance.
Fraction: The heterogeneous group of cells derived from the fat that contains mesenchymal progenitor/stem cells, preadipocytes, endothelial cells, pericytes, T cells, and M2 macrophages.
The SVF then goes through all the remaining steps that purify and isolate the mesenchymal stem cells. Once the mesenchymal stem cells are completely separated from the stromal vascular fraction, a NucleoCounter® Cell Counter is used to count the viable, live mesenchymal stem cells to assure needed quantities are present. The Magellan® Autologous Platelet Separator is then used to filter platelets and seven different growth factors from a small amount of the patient’s blood. This produces Platelet Rich Plasma, (PRP). The Patient’s PRP and mesenchymal stem cells are combined. PRP is added to the stem cells to help them survive the transfer and maximize the effects of the therapy.
Magellen Platelet Separator
The Magellan Platelet Separator is used to produce platelet rich plasma, (PRP) from a small amount of the patient’s blood. The Magellan Platelet separator filters the blood to collect platelets and seven different growth factors from the patient’s blood which is them mixed with the patient’s mesenchymal stem cells. This step helps the mesenchymal stem cells survive, multiply and become replacement cells.
NucleoCounter NC-200 Cell Counter
The NucleoCounter Stem Cell Counter is used to identify the total number of live, viable mesenchymal stem cells before they are used in therapy. The exact number of live, viable stem cells harvested from each patient and used for their stem cell therapy is very important and is documented in the IRBs we are participating in.
Millions of Live, Viable Mesenchymal Stem Cells Verified
The mesenchymal stem cell count below is from a patient’s records. During this patient’s therapy, we successfully harvested over 17 million live mesenchymal stem cells from only 2 ounces of the patient’s body fat.
Stem Cell Therapy is Performed
The final step of stem cell therapy for back pain can now be performed. Millions of the patient’s own live, viable mesenchymal stem cells have been collected and isolated. They have been counted to verify needed quantities, and they have been nourished with platelets and seven different growth factors, (PRP). Millions stem cells are now ready to do their job and are injected directly into the spine’s areas targeted and also administered intravenously to maximize the therapy. Once the injections and or IV has been administered, the therapy is complete. There are no side effects and patients are able to drive home or back to work shortly after their therapy.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Dr. Lewis J. Obi has been helping patients reduce and eliminate painful joint and back conditions and get back to doing the things they enjoy for decades. And many of his patients have shared their stories about how his stem cell therapy gave them their life back and allowed them to avoid invasive surgery. This is Ann’s story about how stem cell therapy allowed her to avoid a second knee replacement procedure.
Contact Dr. Obi
Use the contact form to contact Dr. Obi.
Or Call:
(310) 880-3428
Contact Dr. Obi
Use the contact form to contact Dr. Obi.
Or Call!
(310) 880-3428
