In this week’s blog I want to share with you the results of an important study that was published in the scientific journal Stem Cells. It studied patients suffering from chronic back pain due to degenerative disc disease. Those who were treated by Stem Cell Therapy – a non-surgical, natural procedure that injected their own bone marrow into their lumbar discs – experienced significant pain reduction 12 months after treatment.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a term that describes normal changes in our spinal discs as people age. The spinal discs in our bodies separate the individual spinal vertebrae and act as shock absorbers that allow our spines to twist, bend and flex. DDD usually affects the discs in the lower back (lumbar) or the neck (cervical).
DDD in lumbar discs can cause lower back pain, osteoarthritis, abnormal disc bulging (herniated disc) and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the tunnel-like space that holds the spinal cord). Any of these can exert pressure on spinal nerves and the spinal cord, causing pain and affecting nerve function.
The bone marrow collected from the patients contained stem cells that have been shown to promote tissue growth, including cartilage, and increase blood supply to new or damaged tissue. After being painlessly harvested, the cells were processed and then injected into the problem area, where the natural healing process began.
The researchers studied 26 patients (age range 18–61; median age 40 years), who were suffering from lower back pain caused by DDD. The patients were checked at three, six and 12 months. After 12 months, 21 of the 26 patients experienced statistically significant improvements in pain scores and impairment. The most dramatic improvements were seen in the patients with higher stem cell counts.
If you are suffering from back or neck pain, it could be the result of degenerative edisc disease. Please contact us at New Jersey Pain Care Specialists to discuss an evaluation and explore ever-evolving options for providing relief that works best for you.
At the present time, Stem Cell Therapy is not covered by medical insurance.
