What Kinds of Back Pain Might Stem Cells Help?

Stem cell therapy is an investigative treatment that is thought to help alleviate several types of back pain through its regenerative processes. Whether you’re experiencing mild lumbago or debilitating sciatica, stem cells have the potential to flood the afflicted area with growth factors, new cells, and regenerative capabilities. 

Dr. John C. Haasis III is a board-certified, fellowship-trained pain management anesthesiologist. He is also the medical director and founder of Daisy Institute and Advanced Regenerative Medicine Center of the Carolinas. He has more than 25 years of comprehensive and interventional pain management experience, with a focus on helping every patient improve their quality of life and feel free from discomfort. If you struggle with persistent back pain that affects your quality of life, contact us online or call the office nearest you at (864) 775-5682. 

We proudly serve the Mid-Atlantic and the South with multiple locations in South Carolina and one in North Carolina:

  • Greenville
  • Spartanburg
  • Columbia
  • Anderson
  • Asheville 

About Back Pain

Back pain is a common concern and usually stems from muscle strain or ligament sprain from improper lifting or poor posture. Back pain, in its multiple forms, affects millions of people worldwide, and for some, it can be extremely debilitating. (1) Traditional treatments for back pain include medication, physical therapy, and surgery. However, innovative treatments such as stem cell therapy are being researched for their ability to regenerate damaged tissues and promote healing. Stem cells cannot replace these other time-tested treatment methods, but may act as a viable supplemental therapy.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can transform into various cell types to replace damaged ones. This type of therapy may help alleviate back pain by replacing damaged tissue and the cells that make up bone and cartilage. This replacement of healthy cells helps regulate inflammation and reduce back pain. Stem cells might optimize bone health by promoting osteoblast production, improving bone density. They can also generate cartilage, which acts as a cushion between the joints and helps to enhance comfort and mobility. 

Different Kinds of Back Pain 

  • Herniated Discs: Occurs when the soft, jelly-like center in between the bones (discs) pushes through a tear in its tougher exterior and gets damaged. A herniated disk can occur in any part of the spine, but it is common in the lower back. This causes numbness, discomfort, and weakness in the arms or legs depending on where it is. (2)
  • Degenerative Disc Disease: The natural breakdown of the soft and rubbery cushions (discs) between your spinal vertebrae. When the discs dry out and lose their height over time, they can cause chronic back or neck pain. This discomfort causes persistent or periodic pain that can worsen when sitting, bending, or standing. 
  • Spinal Stenosis: Occurs when the narrowing of the spaces within your spine puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This discomfort affects the lower back and neck and is present with age-related degeneration, arthritis, or wear and tear. It causes cramping, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms, hands, and legs.  
  • Sciatica: A sharp nerve pain that starts from the lower back and shoots down through the buttock and down to one leg. This occurs when the large sciatic nerve gets irritated, inflamed, or compressed by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. This discomfort may feel like a burning, numb, or tingling pain that often worsens with coughing, sneezing, or prolonged sitting. 
  • Osteoarthritis: The most common type of arthritis, where the protective cartilage cushioning ends and bones wear away over time due to a lack of support. The joints become painful, stiff, and swollen, which affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. The risk increases with age. 
  • Nerve Damage: Occurs when the nerves get compressed, stretched, cut, or damaged by physical traumas, nutritional deficiencies, and other factors. It disrupts the signals to the brain and body, leading to symptoms such as burning pain, muscle weakness, and reduced mobility. 

Benefits of Stem Cells 

Stem cells can alleviate back pain to improve your quality of life. Dr. Haasis’ approach aims to reduce inflammation, increase mobility and flexibility, and provide long-lasting relief in a minimally invasive manner with little to no downtime. Dr. Haasis will fully customize treatment to your concerns and health goals to target the sources of discomfort. While its potential benefits are still being explored, stem cell therapy is thought to use your body’s natural healing abilities to repair damaged tissues and reduce back pain.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for stem cell therapy if you are experiencing mild to moderate chronic pain that has not resolved with other treatments such as physical therapy or injections. If you are struggling with specific spinal conditions, have structural viability, and are free of active infections or any bleeding disorders, you may benefit greatly from stem cell therapy. You must also hold realistic expectations for your results, as this treatment delivers improvements gradually. 

Personal Consultation

During your personal consultation, Dr. Haasis will evaluate your medical history and pain history. He will also examine your back and the areas where you have pain. Dr. Haasis will address any questions or concerns you may have and explain the stem cell therapy process as it applies to your case. He wants this meeting to be informative, allowing you to leave feeling confident and prepared to begin your treatment. Contact us online or call any of our offices in North and South Carolina at (864) 775-5682 to schedule your personal consultation.  

  • Greenville
  • Spartanburg
  • Columbia
  • Anderson
  • Asheville 

Preparation

Effectively preparing to begin your stem cell therapy helps to maximize your outcomes. Dr. Haasis advises you to:

  • Pause the use of blood-thinning medications and supplements
  • Avoid alcohol consumption at least a week prior
  • Abstain from tobacco and nicotine use for at least a week prior to starting your treatment 
  • Maximize your water intake
  • Arrange transportation home after treatment
  • Schedule time for recovery 

Some stem cell therapies require immunosuppression. Dr. Haasis will inform you of whether or not this applies to you. If it does, you will receive prescriptions to weaken your immune system. This process limits immune reactions to foreign bodies, which maximizes the ability of stem cells to transform and mold with the healing tissues.

Procedure

Dr. Haasis utilizes ethically sourced allogeneic stem cells that will effectively transform into the types of cells of the tissues that require extra support. These cells come from consenting donors and are thoroughly screened for purity and safety. Once the cells are ready for injection, Dr. Haasis will thoroughly clean your treatment area and administer your stem cell dose into your back. Once he has injected the stem cells and targeted each area, he will clean your injection sites and monitor your reaction before allowing you to go home. This outpatient procedure is minimally invasive. 

Results

 As stem cells bind with the healing tissues and provide extra support, you may begin to experience less and less back pain. Patient experiences may vary. Mesenchymal cells have the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, and other connective tissues. They can also secrete biomaterials, platelet-rich plasma, cytokines, and growth factors that stimulate tissue repair. Over time, stem cell therapy might reduce pain and improve function, potentially translating to improved mobility. Patients should continue regular therapy as directed by their primary care doctor or specialist, as stem cell therapy is not a replacement for other kinds of medicine.  

Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain in The Carolinas

The cost of stem cell therapy for back pain may vary. Dr. Haasis and his team will provide a detailed cost outline for your treatment during your personal consultation. They will also address any lingering questions or concerns you may have before starting your treatment plan. Contact us online or call your closest Daisy Institute office to schedule a personal consultation! 

  • Greenville
  • Spartanburg
  • Columbia
  • Anderson
  • Asheville 

FAQ

What are different kinds of back pain?

Stem cell therapy can effectively treat a wide range of back pain conditions such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and more. 

Can back pain worsen over time if I do not treat it?

Yes, if you do not receive treatment for back pain, it can worsen over time and cause chronic pain, permanent nerve damage, and reduced mobility. 

How long does it take to see results from stem cell therapy for back pain?

You will begin to see results from your back pain within two to four weeks after receiving stem cells, but long-term results will develop over one to six months. 

How long is the recovery for stem cell therapy treatment? 

There is minimal recovery time for stem cell therapy. After resting for a couple of days, you can return to sedentary work. However, a full resumption of all activities will become feasible after four weeks. 

Why are stem cells effective for alleviating back pain? 

Stem cell therapy aims to heal tissue at a cellular level rather than just temporarily masking symptoms. It is also a great alternative to surgical procedures, as it avoids long recovery times.  

References

  1. Roseen EJ, Rajendran I, Stein P, et al. Association of Back Pain with Mortality: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2021;36(10):3148-3158. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-06732-6  
  2. NIAMS. Back Pain. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Published April 23, 2019. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain 
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