Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) refers to damage that occurs to any part of the spinal cord or nerves that may lead to muscle weakness, impaired movement, loss of coordination, and overactive reflexes. Usually, the treatment depends on the severity of the injury and there are different rehabilitation and assistive therapies that are applied to allow patients to cope with their symptoms. Loss of mobility among patients adds a lot of strain to their lives and that of their families that are forced to take care of them for much of their lives causing emotional strain and lack of independence.
However, with the advancement of stem cell research, there is hope for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries as stem cells are being used to assist the body in healing itself and restoring their body control, improving sexual functions, and improving their quality of life.
Types of stem cells
The stem cells used in the treatment of spinal cord injury may come from different sources such as the patient’s bone marrow or allogeneic mesenchymal cells from the human umbilical cord tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells that are isolated from different sources and are differentiated into many parts of the body. These cells are ethically sourced and have few adverse side effects when used in treatment.
Other types of stem cells used include:
- Embryonic stem cells
- Allogenic stem cells
- Autologous stem cells
How do stem cells treat a spinal injury?
Stem cells allow the body to slowly heal itself by promoting regenerating myelin, repairing damaged axons, reducing inflammation that causes blockages in the spine, and generating new healthy cells that replaced damaged neurons in the body.
What is the procedure like at Chiron Institute Wellness?
At Chiron Wellness Institute, our expert medical staff and doctors are committed to ensuring that our patients receive the best care for their ailment. Our main concern is that the patient gets the right treatment and our doctors will have a consultation to review your lab results and Xrays/ MRI to review the damage. Every patient is different and our treatments are specially catered for the needs of each one.
How many stem cell injections are needed for the procedure?
The number of sessions required largely depends on how much needs to be repaired in the body and each individual patient. However, each injection has been seen to boost tissue regeneration even as soon as days after the procedure has been done. Approximately 1 injection (with 300 million Mesenchymal stem cells) can continuously regenerate new active cells from your damaged spinal tissues for a few years with a need of regular treatments afterward to maintain high stem cell numbers in the body.
Final Thoughts
Even though our body does have the ability to heal itself, as we age, we are not able to bounce back easily as we did when we were younger. By using stem cells, we are able to give our bodies a boost and increase our own body’s natural healing properties, especially when treating damaged areas that need repair. If you or a loved one are suffering from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis or other autoimmune diseases, check out our services page on our website and book a consultation with us and lets get your health back on track.
