Regenerative Cell Therapy

Regenerative Cell Therapy: How It Helps Heal Sports Injuries & More

Scott Brandt, M.D. Stem Cell Therapy

Physical activity is an essential component of good health. Not only does it help us maintain a healthy body weight (thus reducing our risk for many serious health problems), it strengthens our heart and muscles, improves our mental fitness and acuity and protects us against certain noncommunicable diseases (like heart disease, cancer and diabetes). Participating in recreational sport activities, in particular, can also encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills and create a respect for discipline that builds our confidence and further positively influences our health and our lives. Unfortunately, sports-related injuries are all too common. Repetitive use of our joints, improper form, conditioning and/or equipment and trauma can all result in sports injuries. And the longer we play a sport, the more likely it is that an injury will occur based on simple statistical probability.

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In the past, athletes had only traditional methods of recuperation to utilize for relief: the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression and elevation); medication; physical therapy; or, in worst case scenarios, surgery. Today, we also have regenerative cell therapy, a scientifically-backed treatment for sports injuries that has been shown to actually repair bodily tissues (not just replace them or alleviate injury symptoms). Take a look at how regenerative cell therapy helps heal sports injuries from the inside:

Regenerative Cell Therapy Uses Stem Cells to Rebuild Cell Numbers

Stem cells are special cells in the body that help regenerate new cells in certain situations. Normally, existing cells in the body divide to replace themselves over time. In some instances, though, our cells become unable to reproduce themselves. Perhaps they are just too old or maybe the surrounding conditions don’t offer the resources they need to properly divide and survive. Whatever the case, in these situations stem cells often take over, creating new cells of a particular type in order to keep the body’s systems functioning smoothly. 

Regenerative cell therapy is a way to capture stem cells’ natural ability to heal the body, with clinicians directing their power intentionally to help speed the body’s healing processes. It works like this: a trained clinician harvests stem cells from reserves in a patient’s own body, takes these cells either alone or in conjunction with other biologics, to maximize healing potential,  and then injects them directly back into the patient at the location(s) where a sports injury has occurred. Once stem cells have been delivered to the ideal  location, these cells start replicating and building tissue to replace the old, decayed cells that can’t do it for themselves!

Regenerative Cell Therapy Catalyzes an Immune Response That Reduces Inflammation

When stem cells arrive in damaged tissue, they trigger an immune response. They secrete cytokines, growth factors and other proteins that stimulate the surrounding area to activate new cell growth. As the body’s natural immune response takes over, the damaged tissue of a sports injury begins to be healed and inflammation subsides.

Regenerative Cell Therapy Triggers Cellular Signals that Minimize Pain

As part of the immune response they trigger, stem cells also send out chemical signals. These signals, combined with those produced by the special biologics chosen specifically for the issue at hand (which were added to the regenerative cell therapy solution before injection), initiate an increase of blood flow to the area of the sports injury. The extra blood improves coagulation and aids in the formation of fibrin, on which new cells can more easily attach and create new tissue. The new tissue provides structural support and, thus, helps to alleviate pain.

Want to Learn More?

Regenerative cell therapy is an exciting and proven treatment for sports injuries that frequently accelerates the body’s own healing processes so that you get back out there doing the sports activities you love faster and with less pain! Please contact ThriveMD to learn more about the procedure and whether or not it could be a solution for your or a loved one’s own orthopedic injury.

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If you believe you or someone you care about could be a candidate for treatment administered by a trusted clinic, please contact us today.