A guest blog by Laura Fristoe, Director of Marketing at IMAC Regeneration Centers.
Are you disappointed with your doctor’s recommendations for prescription medicine to treat your pain? Are you frustrated that the only option you’ve been given for improving your mobility is surgery? Have you or someone you love given up on ever having a good quality of life as you suffer from Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis? You are not alone!
Regenerative medicine could be the answer you are looking for. The skyrocketing use of regenerative medicine represents a growing dissatisfaction with conventional healthcare. Patients are looking for more ways to support their health, and seeking less invasive, non-drug, low-cost approaches to heal their degeneration and strengthen their well-being.
Traditional therapies for conditions such as osteoarthritis, ligament injury and tendonitis may help provide some pain relief, however, they do not alter the condition or help with the healing process. They act as a “band aid” but they do not REPAIR the problem! Serious drugs with terrible side effects are given to patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, COPD and Multiple Sclerosis with no hope of reversal of the disease.
According to Mayo Clinic, Regenerative medicine is a game-changing area of medicine with the potential to fully heal damaged tissues and organs, offering solutions and hope for people who have conditions that today are beyond repair.
Why Regenerative Medicine?
Why are so many people choosing regenerative medicine? Regenerative medicine practitioners are more likely to take a highly individualized approach to their patients, customizing treatments to be effective for the person experiencing the symptoms rather than targeting the symptoms alone.
Regenerative medicine holds the promise of health care solutions that heal the body from within. Given our aging population, current evidence-based and palliative treatments are increasingly unable to meet patients’ needs. There are few effective ways to treat the root causes of many diseases and injuries.
Symptom management has been the best option traditional medicine has offered in the past. However, advances in cell biology have uncovered new opportunities to refine regenerative therapies and develop new treatment protocols.
Thankfully, there are regenerative medicine clinics popping up all over the country which are offering hope and true healing. Here are some of the real life stories of the individuals who have benefited from “tomorrow’s medicine” today:
54 year-old Merna came to one of these regenerative clinics. She was in pain 100% of the time. She couldn’t walk or do her normal household chores. The most difficult issue: she could no longer kneel with her family to pray during their daily devotions. After 20 years of excruciating knee pain and two scopes, the recommendation from her orthopedic doctor was total knee replacement surgery. It was not the decision Merna wanted to make. “I wasn’t ready for surgery. I wanted a better option.” Merna found out about the clinic’s stem cell treatment protocol for knee pain from her local health care practitioner. “She told me she had heard people were experiencing great results with growing new cartilage and gaining mobility back with the stem cell treatments offered. I wanted to give it a try.” Merna made the decision to call the clinic and over the last six months has gone from 100% pain to living pain-free. The combination of stem cell and platelet treatments, along with carefully crafted physical therapy, has given Merna’s own knee tissue the opportunity to regenerate. “I know people who have had knee replacement surgery. They lose the ability for their own knee to heal and they are in so much pain. I did not want that for myself.” Merna feels the recovery she has experienced has given her the future she always planned. “I want to walk, to be able to exercise every day and keep weight off my knees. I want to be able to kneel and pray with my family. I am determined to stick with my goals. Now I can do all of these things.”
Rejuvenate, Replace and Regenerate
The body was created to rejuvenate, or boost its ability to heal itself. For example, when you cut your skin, it heals within a few days because the skin organ works to repair itself. Other organs such as the heart, lungs and nerves can lose their ability to divide with age or injury. They need help to enhance the self-healing process.
Part of the process of healing involves replacing damaged cells with new, healthy stem cells. It is imperative to find the source of the degeneration, pain or injury and deliver healthy cells to the targeted area.
Restoring tissue and organ function is the goal of regenerative medicine. Clinical research shows regenerative stem cells effectively restore and repair damaged or aging cells and regenerate tissue in the body. (Source) Cell Transplant 2015 Jan 20 Autologous adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction cells application in patients with osteoarthritis.
Stem Cells: The Most Advanced, Natural Healing Therapy
While there has been controversy over the use of stem cells, it is important to differentiate between the use of embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. A stem cell is basically any cell that can replicate and differentiate. This means the cell can not only multiply, it can turn into different types of tissues. There are different kinds of stem cells.
Adult (Non-Embryonic) Mesenchymal Stem Cells are undifferentiated cells located in adipose tissue—commonly known as belly fat—and have the ability to replace dying cells and regenerate damaged tissue. These undifferentiated stem cells have not yet identified with any tissue or organ in the body and are your body’s natural healing cells.
These special adult stem cells seek out areas of injury, disease and destruction where they are capable of regenerating healthy cells and enabling a person’s natural healing processes to be accelerated. They are recruited by chemical signals emitted by damaged tissues to repair and regenerate your damaged cells.
The Process of Stem Cell Therapy
The first step in deciding to have stem cell therapy is choosing the right regenerative medicine clinic. It is important to meet with the doctor, find out the type of stem cell procedures utilized by the clinic, discuss previous patient outcomes and know the cost up front.
On the day of the stem cell procedure, patients have their fat harvested in the clinic by a doctor by mini-liposuction. The procedure lasts approximately twenty minutes and is a pain-free process for most patients.
After harvesting the fat cells, the next step is to isolate the cells. This is accomplished by separating the fat cells and stem cells in the clinic lab using a centrifuge.
Depending on the type of procedure required, stem cells will then be injected through veins, arteries, into spinal fluid, subcutaneously, or directly into joints or organs. All of these are considered minimally invasive methods of introducing the stem cells.
The whole process from harvesting to finished procedure takes less than three hours.
The Proof is in the Results
In the right environment, stem cells can change into bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, collagen, neural tissue, blood vessels, and even some organs. Because it is your own DNA material, there is no rejection.
Stem cell therapy has already shown considerable promise in treating many degenerative conditions. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease can respond extremely well to stem cell therapy.
63-year-old Debbie was a typical Parkinson’s patient. She suffered terribly from the damaging, neurological condition and was getting worse each day. According to her husband, she couldn’t do anything but get up, look at the television and read. She did little shuffle steps and was rigid and her voice was leaving her. They didn’t know what to do. Parkinson’s disease has affected Debbie for nearly seven years, and she had been reacting negatively to medication. Rick, her husband, said doctors were ready to perform brain surgery as a last resort. The couple heard about stem cell treatment and decided to give it a try. Debbie is in her sixth month of treatment and, according to Rick and Debbie, her physical recovery has been remarkable. Since beginning stem cell treatment, she is writing legibly again, walking without a cane, and recently drove herself on a shopping trip.
What Health Conditions Can Benefit from Stem Cell Therapy?
Regenerative medical clinics use stem cell therapy to treat various chronic degenerative conditions as diverse as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, dementia, renal failure, degenerative orthopedic problems, and COPD to name a few. Arthritis, disc herniation, traumatic brain injury and torn ligaments are also common conditions treated with stem cell therapy.
Many patients have been told that they require surgery or other risky treatments for their ailments and are looking for non-invasive options. Some have heard about the compelling testimonials about stem cells in the literature and on websites. Experts agree, regenerative medicine is quickly becoming the number one choice in healthcare.
The future of medicine is filled with hope and promise of reversal of disease and degeneration with the innovative technology of stem cell therapy. Regardless of your health condition, regenerative stem cell therapy may be the solution for improved health and a better quality of life.
A Note from Ann Louise
If you or someone you know could benefit from regeneration therapy, do check out regenerative medicine clinics online. I plan to visit one such clinic in December of this year. After hours of speaking to my professional colleagues throughout the country, I have decided to visit the IMAC Regeneration Center in Paducah, Kentucky to experience firsthand their innovative stem cell treatment protocols.
I have spoken at length to the patient coordinators and many staff members. You are also welcome to check the clinic out yourself. The contact number is (270) 554-5114 or email [email protected]. You may also visit the website at imacpaducah.com or ozziesmithcenter.com for additional information.
25 Responses
How exciting! Thank you for making this information available.
Lisa,
You are welcome! Please contact me @ [email protected] if you have any questions or would like more information. Thank you for the comment!
Laura Fristoe
I am interested in any info you may have for macular degeneration blindness?
Rosalie, please email Laura with your question. Thank you
I would like to know if any work has been done on the pancreas. I would definetly be interested.
Hi Wini,
I would be interested to find out more about the diagnosis of your health condition. Please contact me @ [email protected] or 270-554-5114 and we can discuss your situation specifically. I can share patient testimonials with you related to your condition. Thank you for the question!
Laura Fristoe
Any promise for idiopathic peripheral neuropathy?
Hi Sue,
Thank you for your question. Idiopathic peripheral neuropathy is a condition commonly treated with stem cell therapy with excellent outcomes. If you would like to set up a phone consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your case specifically, they would be able to discuss your symptoms and diagnosis and share positive clinical responses experienced in patients with your condition. Please contact me if you are interested in setting up the call, it is complimentary and would help you learn more about how stem cells can reverse your symptoms. 270-554-5114 or [email protected]
Can this therapy do anything for scoliosis?
Hi Sandra,
Thank you for your question. Regenerative medicine offers help for scoliosis. Each patient’s case is very unique and our doctors would need to see your X-rays and medical history to determine the protocol that would bring you the best results. You can email your information to me if you have it available and I will have the doctors evaluate your case and determine the best course of action. My email is [email protected] and I am also available by phone @ 270-554-5114. I look forward to helping you!
Laura Fristoe
Approximately how much would this treatment cost for an arthritic knee? Would medicare cover it???
Hi Margaret,
Thank you for your question! Arthritic knees are a very common condition treated successfully in our clinic. Medicare can cover a large portion of the cost of treatment, and possibly all of it, depending on your specific needs. Do you have x-rays you could send by email for an evaluation? Please email me @ [email protected] and I can more specifically answer your question once we find out more about your condition. Thank you again,
Laura Fristoe
Hi All: I have asked our guest blogger to answer all of your queries, so kindly stay tuned.
Thank you for the opportunity to answer questions from your friends! I am happy to continue answering questions on your blog as well as any direct emails @ [email protected]. Thank you again!
Laura
Thank you, Laura for your prompt answers to our readers’ queries and concerns. I will look forward to meeting you when I come to IMACTRC at the end of the year for a tune-up.
My husband has Parkinson’s and has had DBS surgery. This has helped tremors tremendously, but he still has trouble walking and takes medication. Is he still a candidate for this?
Hi Gail,
Thank you for your question. Your husband would be an excellent candidate for our stem cell treatment for Parkinson’s. It would be best to set up a phone consultation with one of our doctors to discuss his health history and allow you the opportunity to ask specific questions. Please email me @ [email protected] and I will be happy to set this up for you. Thank you again,
Laura Fristoe
Laura, My husband has had 2 cervical fusions plus an implant. He has also had 3 lumbar surgeries and has a Medtronic pain stimulator implant. Both knees replaced. He has spinal stenosis and degenerative spine disease. Drs. are telling him his spine is not stable enough to hold a fusion and any surgery would be “massive”. He has been having epidurals for his condition that don’t last but a few months. Your opinon please?
Hi Luwanda
Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear of your husband’s health issues, that must be so difficult and painful. I plan on sharing this information with our medical director on Monday and will give you a more detailed answer. Please feel free to email me directly at [email protected] or call 270-554-5114. Thank you,
Laura Fristoe
I would like to know if there is a place located close to me. I live in Canton, Ohio? I am definitely interested in this.
Hi Judy,
I am so happy to hear you are interested in receiving stem cell treatment at IMAC! Our closest location to you is our Ozzie Smith IMAC in St. Louis. I would be happy to set up a phone consultation with our doctor at that location to discuss your specific condition. Please email me directly at [email protected] and I will be able to give you more details. Thank you!
Laura Fristoe
Thank you so much for this information, it is very interesting. Is there a clinic in Oregon, as I would be interested for knee’s and back. Would this work for liver cirrhosis?
Hi Debbie
Thank you for your questions. We would love to be able to help you with your knees, back and liver and regenerative medicine certainly is an effective method for each of those conditions. The closest IMAC clinic would be Ozzie Smith Center in St. Louis. We have many patients who travel far distances to receive our treatments. We are happy to arrange transportation to and from the airport to the Ozzie Center for your convenience. We would love to help you have a healthier future and better quality of life. Please contact me at 270-554-5114 with any questions or to set up an appointment. You may also email me: [email protected]. Thank you again Debbie!
Laura Fristoe
I am very interested in this procedure for Multiple Sclerosis as well as my knees. Does Medicaid cover this at all? Also, I have heard that the Stem Cell Transplants involve going through chemotherapy. is this a requirement? If so, why is it part of the procedure?
Thank you,
Kathryn Collier
Are stem cell treatments covered by Medicare?