If you suffer from chronic pain such as joint, tendon, ligament, back, or neck discomfort, finding a solution for pain relief is imperative. Everyday activities become a challenge and you’re left feeling exhausted and drained. While there are many treatment options available, such as pharmaceuticals, chiropractic, or Chinese medicine, stem cell therapy is a beneficial treatment modality with a body of evidence supporting its efficacy.
At Stem Cell Carolina, our stem cell therapy center in Charlotte, NC focuses on patient-centered care. We provide regenerative medicine such as stem cell therapy to support those suffering from joint and ligament conditions.
Because of the nature of stem cell therapy, there is a lot of misinformation about how it’s harvested and where exactly it comes from. Follow along in our post as we explore the common myths encompassing stem cells.
Our stem cell therapy center in Charlotte only practices safe, evidence-based procedures.
The Myths Around Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are beautiful cells that are capable of regeneration. This makes them highly effective in treating degenerative diseases, chronic joint and tendon pain, and the effects of aging. Regenerative medicine has been embraced with fervor by the medical community, yet there are still controversies and myths that people cling to in defense of the unknown.
Myth #1: Stem cells are only harvested from embryos.
This is one of the most common myths surrounding stem cell therapy.
It is true that a sliver of stem cells are of embryonic origin which stirs controversy and ethical issues, but these are just a portion along the continuum of the stem cell spectrum. Many stem cells, especially in regenerative medicine, can be directly harvested from the patient themselves and are considered to be adult stem cells.
Myth #2: Adult stem cells aren’t as effective.
Adult stem cells are very effective in treating joint and tendon concerns and are found in every organ and tissue in the human body.
The largest concentration of adult stem cells is stored in fat tissue and bone marrow. The use of these cells is seeing an astonishing amount of medical development. The argument against adult stem cells is that with age comes a host of genetic mutations that may affect the outcomes. However, a body of evidence demonstrates the positive results of adult stem cell therapy.
Myth #3: Stem cell therapy doesn’t work.
One argument against stem cell therapy is that it doesn’t work and that it’s just a passing trend. This is unfortunate because there are a lot of potential patients that could benefit from this therapy but lack the information to make an educated decision.
Stem cell therapy has been used to treat patients with knee, shoulder, hip, and lumbar disc issues, delivering promising results for all of these ailments. Patients report significant pain reduction and increased mobility.
Myth #4: Stem cell therapy is illegal.
Stem cell therapy is very legal and is widely practiced in the US.
In 2013, the National Instute of Health (NIH) put roughly $1.3 billion into funding stem cell research. The state of Ohio alone has invested $25 million in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic to continue regenerative medicine research.
Myth #5: There is only one kind of stem cell.
We know there are both embryonic and adult stem cells that function in the same manner, but scientists have developed what’s known as a pluripotent stem cell (iPS). An iPS is an adult stem cell, but it’s been genetically altered to function as an embryonic stem cell. These stem cells provide an exact genetic match because they’re harvested from the patient.
The iPS stem cells are still undergoing medical research before they can be used in clinics nationwide.
Myth #6: Stem cells are only used in regenerative medicine.
Stem cell therapy complements regenerative medicine beautifully, as it seeks to treat people who suffer from joint and tendon issues. Stem cell therapy also treats people with degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple sclerosis (MS), or spinal cord injuries. New research is also finding progress with stem cells in type I diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Stem cell therapy is an effective treatment for many conditions and has seen great efficacy in treating joint pain and continues to be a preferred method in regenerative medicine. Being educated in stem cell therapy will help you make informed decisions about your health and help dispel the myths surrounding it.
For more information about our stem cell therapy center in Charlotte, NC, connect with our office today!
