How Do Stem Cells Play a Role in Healing?

Stem cells have changed the way that athletes recover. But what are they, and how do they support healing? Learn the answers to these and more to see if this treatment is right for you.

Stem cell research began more than 60 years ago, but it wasn’t until the late 90s and early 2000s that their potential for healing gained widespread attention.

Thanks to scientific breakthroughs over the last decade, they’re even more prominent now, helping professional athletes and everyday people recover from injuries more quickly.

Because of this popularity, many people are exploring stem cell therapies. At Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, in Sarasota, Florida, our team of interventional pain doctors offers stem cell therapy to adults.

This blog explains what stem cells are, how they support healing, and some of their many medical uses.

Understanding stem cells

Stem cells are the only cells in the human body that can become different types of cells, such as bone, blood, or muscle cells. This ability makes them uniquely equipped to support healing after injury or disease.

There are two main types of stem cells:

Embryonic (pluripotent) stem cells

These cells develop in the early embryo and are responsible for forming all the cells in your body. They have the ability to become almost any type of cell.

Adult stem cells

These stem cells repair or replace damaged cells within tissues throughout the body. For example, mesenchymal stem cells support:

Bone
Cartilage
Muscle
Fat

How stem cells support healing

The cells in tissues throughout the human body are constantly being replaced and repaired, but this natural process is often slow and may not target injured areas. Stem cells help accelerate healing in injured tissues.

When prepared in a special liquid solution, they can be administered via injection into injured or diseased tissues, such as a torn ligament or arthritic joint.

Once the stem cell solution enters your body, it:

Reduces inflammation
Releases growth factors that encourage tissue regeneration
Increases blood flow to the injured area

Medical applications for stem cell therapy

We regularly use regenerative medicine, including stem cell therapy, to prompt healing for various musculoskeletal conditions, including:

After reviewing your health history, discussing your symptoms, and completing a physical exam, we can determine whether this treatment may be right for you.

Some people benefit from a single stem cell treatment, but we typically recommend a series spaced over several weeks or months. That’s because one dose doesn’t always provide enough cells for proper healing, especially if the injury is severe.

Ask us about stem cell therapy

If you’re struggling with ongoing musculoskeletal pain that doesn’t respond to at-home treatments, stem cell therapy is worth considering. To get started, schedule an appointment at Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC.