REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Regenerative medicine aims to restore normal function by repairing or replacing damaged or malfunctioning cells and tissues in patients who have lost tissue or organ function due to age, disease or congenital defects. It is a branch of translational research in tissue engineering and molecular biology.

Groundbreaking advancements in Adult Adipose Stem Cell and Bone Marrow treatment are giving patients the ability to fight back against diseases once thought untreatable. Your journey to wellness begins here with a knowledge and understanding of Adult Stem Cell Therapy and Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy.

STEM CELL WELLNESS

WHAT ARE STEM CELLS?

Stem Cells are unspecialized cells that maintain and repair tissues. Stem Cells are unique in that they have the potential to develop into many different types of cells. In regeneration, stem cells may seek out areas that need repair or restoration. Our body's natural healing process is fairly efficient, but modern science can accelerate the process.

WHAT IS STEM CELL THERAPY?

Stem Cell Therapy is a process of extracting adult stem cells from abdominal fat and/or bone marrow, and reintroducing them into the body where they can do the most good.

If using fat, the process begins by extracting a few ounces of fat from the patient in a procedure similar to liposuction. Once the fat has been harvested, it undergoes a series of steps to separate and isolate the stem cells. The stem cells are then re-introduced to the body by IV and/or by injection, for more localized treatments. Localized treatments can help with knee, shoulder, and other joint pain. In addition, stem cells can be applied to the face, neck and scalp, using a micro-needle system, to give the patient a more healthy and youthful look.

The treatments are outpatient procedures, conducted in a sterile environment in your doctor's office, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment. Under sedation and local anesthesia, the process is relatively painless and safe, with minimal downtime.

WHERE DO STEM CELLS COME FROM?

There are primarily two types of stem cells used for treatment: Embryonic, which are derived from embryos; and Adult, which are derived from the patient’s body.

WHERE ARE ADULT STEM CELLS FOUND?

Adult Stem Cells are found in many tissues and their primary role is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. They help in regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating previously irreparable organs to heal themselves.

There are different types of tissues containing Adult Stem Cells like Bone Marrow, Adult Adipose (fat), Hair Follicles, Peripheral Blood, Periodontal Ligament, Trabecular Bone, Scalp Subcutaneous Tissue and Skeletal Muscle. Adult stem cells exist throughout the body, however, the most abundant (and accessible) source is abdominal fat. Adipose tissue (fat) has the highest concentration of stem cells and can produce billions of cells with the potential to repair, replenish, and begin rejuvenating your body immediately.

Mesenchymal stem cells are contained in Adult Adipose (Fat) and Bone Marrow, and can turn into different types of cells like the tissues of the lymphatic and circulatory systems, connective tissues throughout the body, such as bone and cartilage, etc. Adult Adipose (Fat) is believed to contain more Stem cells than Bone Marrow. Better result is obtained when any of these two types of stem cells is combined with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).

WHAT ARE ADULT STEM CELLS?

Adult stem cells are stem cells drawn from the body of a healthy adult, rather than from embryonic tissue. This means that they aren’t controversial like embryonic stem cells, which may require the destruction of a human embryo.

Adult stem cells, like all stem cells, have special regenerative properties. This is because they take on the properties of the surrounding cells. Because of this, adult stem cells have many different uses, from minor aesthetic treatments to potentially life-saving procedures.

Adult stem cells come either from the patient themselves or from a donor bank. It is much more common for the stem cells to be drawn from the patient. When the stem cells are drawn from the patient, they are also called autologous stem cells.

DOES STEM CELL THERAPY HAVE ANY EFFECT ON QUALITY OF LIFE?

Stem Cell Therapy Patients Report An Overall Improved Quality Of Life….. Adult Adipose (fat) Stem Cell Therapy does Generalized Body Repair with Intravenous Administration.

Stem Cell Therapy has been known to help improve a variety of conditions, including:

Adult Stem Cells for High Blood PressureAdult Stem Cells for DiabetesAdult Stem Cells for Joint PainAdult Stem Cells for COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)Adult Stem Cells for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus or SLE)Adult Stem Cells for SclerodermaAdult Stem Cells for Erectile DysfunctionAdult Stem Cells for Crohn's DiseaseAdult Stem Cells for Rheumatoid ArthritisAdult Stem Cells for OsteoarthritisAdult Stem Cells for Vaginal RejuvenationAdult Stem Cells for Breast LiftsAdult Stem Cells for Musculoskeletal InjuryAdult Stem Cells for Hair RestorationAdult Stem Cells for Skin RejuvenationAdult Stem Cells for many Neurological disorders

Stem Cell Therapy patients have also reported higher energy levels, better sleep and overall improved quality of life. No treatment can be guaranteed, and outcomes will vary from patient to patient. Your doctor will conduct an individual assessment to determine the best course of action.

HOW ARE ADULT STEM CELLS USED?

Adult stem cells can be used in a variety of medical treatments. The list below represents just a small portion of the many possible adult stem cell treatments. As medical science and the understanding of stem cells advances, the number of treatments will likely increase, as well.

Possible treatments include:

Adult Stem Cells for Orthopedic CareAdult Stem Cells for Wound CareAdult Stem Cells for Spinal Cord InjuriesAdult Stem Cells for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)Adult Stem Cells for Parkinson's disease (PD)Adult Stem Cells for Heart DiseaseAdult Stem Cells for AutismAdult Stem Cells for Cerebral PalsyAdult Stem Cells for Kidney FailureAdult Stem Cells for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)Adult Stem Cells for Cancer Treatment only in certain casesAdult Stem Cells for InfertilityAdult Stem Cells for Organ GrowthAdult Stem Cells for Bone Marrow Growth

WHAT TYPE OF STEM CELL THERAPY DO YOU OFFER AT YOUR CLINIC?

We offer both Adult Adipose (fat) Stem Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Therapy. We prefer the Adult Adipose (fat) Stem Cell Therapy because it contains more Mesenchymal cells or stem cells and that gives our patients good result. We are among the best stem cell Therapy centers in Tampa and Tampa bay areas.

ADIPOSE (FAT) STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION

There are four steps to this treatment process in harvesting Adult Adipose tissue (fat) from your body.

Step 1: Preparation

Using local anesthetics, our board certified physicians prep the lower abdomen for manual mini liposuction procedure. The amount of adipose tissue to be extracted depends on which ailment is being treated.

Step 2: Collection

Once the adipose tissue is collected, a centrifuge process is used to separate the gathered cells into a top layer of fat and a potent concentration containing millions of stem cells at the bottom.

Step 3: Enrichment

Blood is then taken from the patient and PRP is prepared to get growth factors which are then added to the stem cell concentration. This enrichment process prepares the platelet rich plasma and stem cells to be activated.

Step 4: Transplantation

The final step is to introduce the activated stem cells back into the body. Unlike traditional treatments offering less than optimal options, this revolutionary procedure gathers stem cells from their most abundant source and activates them to ensure their survival.

ADIPOSE STEM CELLS VS. BONE MARROW STEM CELLS

Adult stem cells are generally placed in to two categories, which are differentiated by how they are derived from the body. The categories are adipose stem cells and bone marrow stem cells.

Adipose stem cells: This type of stem cell is drawn from fat deposits in the body. Usingtumescent liposuction, the fat is drawn from the body. Then, with the use of special medical equipment, the stem cells are separated from the other fatty tissue. Adipose stem cells are less-invasive to harvest from the patient, but are more experimental.Bone marrow stem cells: As the name implies,bone marrow stem cells are drawn from within the patient’s bones. Here, the stem-cell rich bone marrow is drawn from the patient intravenously. This is a more invasive procedure, but has been used more historically.

Adult stem cells are often combined with platelet rich plasma (PRP), but not always. Platelet rich plasma is taken from the patient’s blood and enhances the regenerative qualities of stem cells, as it has regenerative qualities as well.

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT?

A bone marrow transplant is a procedure to replace damaged or destroyed bone marrow with healthy bone marrow stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft, fatty tissue inside your bones. Stem cells are immature cells in the bone marrow that give rise to all of your blood cells.

WHAT IS BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC) THERAPY?

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC) Therapy, also known as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Therapy, is a promising cutting-edge regenerative therapy to help accelerate healing in moderate to severe osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. BMC is a concentrate of regenerative stem cells obtained from a patient's own bone marrow. The physician removes a small amount of the patient's bone marrow and spins it in a centrifuge in order to generate a powerful concentrate that is injected into the injured area. In the past, these types of cells were often very difficult and expensive to obtain from the body. With recent medical advancements, the cells can be easily obtained and the procedure can be done with minimal discomfort by a simple office procedure.

HOW DOES BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC) THERAPY WORK?

While similar to Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in its ability to harness the body's ability to heal itself through the aid of growth factors, BMC also utilizes regenerative cells that are contained within a patient's own bone marrow. The marrow contains a rich reservoir of "pluripotent" stem cells that can be withdrawn from the patient's hip or pelvic bone and used for the procedure. Unlike other cells of the body, stem cells are "undifferentiated", meaning they are able to replicate themselves into various types of tissue.

IS REMOVING BONE MARROW OR THE INJECTION PROCEDURE PAINFUL?

While there is some slight discomfort, most patients tolerate the procedure well and with minimal pain. The procedure is done under local anesthetic to minimize any discomfort. Post-injection soreness at the injection site is sometimes present because of an inflammatory response caused by BMC therapy. This soreness usually resolves on its own within a few days after the injection. It is important that anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Aspirin be avoided following treatments because these medicines may block the effects of the intended healing response facilitated by the post-injection inflammation. It is acceptable to use pain medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) , and in some cases a prescribed pain reliever which does not have anti-inflammatory properties, to control discomfort as needed.

WHY USE BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC)?

Unlike other cells of the body, bone marrow cells are "undifferentiated", which means they have the ability to replicate themselves into a variety of tissue types. When injury occurs, the usual number of regenerative cells needed for tissue regeneration is often inadequate. With BMC, the concentrate of regenerative cells provides a more robust healing of the damaged tissue and aids in growth and repair by accelerating the body's natural healing mechanism. While the full benefits of BMC are still unknown, it has been shown to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and enhance healing of articular cartilage and bone.

WHAT TYPES OF CONDITIONS ARE TREATED WITH BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC)?

Numerous conditions can be considered for treatment with BMC. Based on current research and clinical experience, moderate to severe cases of osteoarthritis and severe tendon injuries show promising results.

Knee Pain - Osteoarthritis, Meniscus Tears (Medial, Lateral), Chondromalacia Patella, Tendon Injuries (Patellar Tendonitis, Quad Tendon), Ligament sprains or tears (MCL, LCL, ACL)

Hip Pain - Osteoarthritis, Hip Labrum Tears, SI Joint Dysfunction, Piriformis Syndrome, Greater Trochanteric Bursitis, Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome

Shoulder - Osteoarthritis, Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Tendonopathy, or Partial Tears, Labrum Tear, Bicipital Tendinitis

Elbow Pain - Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow), Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers Elbow)

Wrist/Hand Pain - Osteoarthritis, DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis

Ankle & Foot Pain - Achilles Tendinitis or Partial Tears, Plantar Fasciitis, Ankle sprains/ligament injury

Spine - Facet Joint Arthropathy. Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRP (PLATELET RICH PLASMA) AND BMC?

In general, PRP may be more appropriate for mild to moderate osteoarthritis or tendon injuries. BMC may be reserved for more challenging cases such as moderate to severe osteoarthritis or when more potent effects are desired.

HOW IS THE TREATMENT PERFORMED AND ADMINISTERED?

The process is relatively simple. The area of extraction is locally numbed so no pain is felt. Bone marrow is extracted from the back of the patient's pelvis or hip bone from an area called the posterior iliac crest or Tibia.

A suctioned syringe attached to a long needle is used to reach the posterior aspect of the hip, during the minimal discomfort is felt due to local anesthetic. The collected sample is transferred through a filter then placed in a centrifuge for spinning. Spinning at a high speed separates the platelets and stem cells from the bone marrow sample. The concentration of stem cells and healing components, collectively known as the bone marrow concentrate, are reintroduced to the injured area under ultrasound guidance.

Once introduced at the site of injury, the platelets release growth factors that tell the regenerative cells what to become, thereby initiating the regenerative response. The entire process takes approximately 2 hours and patients go home the same day.

IS BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC) CURATIVE OR JUST A TEMPORARY BAND-AIDE?

No. Unlike cortisone shots which mask symptoms and can damage tissue, BMC targets the root of the problem and attempts to heal the tissue.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

Most patients require only a single BMC treatment depending on the degree of the injury. However, in challenging cases, if a patient experiences significant relief that plateaus, they may consider a second BMC injection months later.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET BACK TO MY REGULAR ROUTINE?

For the first 2-3 days, swelling and discomfort are typical in the injected area. By the end of the first week, these symptoms usually begin to resolve and physical therapy is started to optimize BMC effects and facilitate recovery. Patients have responded to BMC treatment at varying timeframes.

ARE THERE ANY CONTRAINDICATIONS (I.E. EXCLUSION CRITERIA) THAT WOULD INHIBIT SOMEONE FROM GETTING BMC ?

Bone marrow derived cancer (such as lymphoma), non-bone marrow derived cancer or metastatic disease (should be checked with your oncologist), and active systemic infection are all contra-indications. Blood thinning medications such as Coumadin must be discontinued and managed appropriately by your cardiologist or primary doctor prior to the procedure.

IS BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC) COVERED BY INSURANCE?

No. While there are currently several publications in peer-reviewed medical journals showing the positive effects of BMC therapy on tendon, soft tissue, and cartilage injuries, BMC is still not covered by insurance companies at this time.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BONE MARROW CONCENTRATE (BMC) TO "WORK"?

Most patients notice some level of improvement by 2 to 6 weeks following BMC. Increased stability and strength are typically reported along with the decrease in pain. A second level of benefits may be obtained between 6 weeks and 3months. Patients are encouraged to remain active with a functional rehabilitation program and strengthen surrounding muscles during this period.

Credit: Glory Wellness Center & Weight Loss Clinic.