Autologous Bone Marrow or purchased Amniotic Products / Which is better?

Across the United States amniotic tissue products are being used and sold as “STEM CELLS”.  Several companies produce injectable amniotic products and many healthcare offices use these products with advertising suggesting they contain many millions of Stem Cells able to remedy most any problem.  In these clinics patients come in for treatment, the amniotic product is thawed and injected, and hopefully the touted treatment will solve the patient’s particular issue.  However there have been questions in both the research community at large and in the clinical field of regenerative medicine as to whether these products actually contain living stem cells.

ARE THERE REALLY STEM CELLS IN AMNIOTIC PRODUCTS?

Researchers have known for some time that amniotic fluid in living humans does contain stem cells and growth factors. The worry has been that through processing, including freezing of the samples, these cells may be damaged. Dr. Alberto Panera and several of his colleagues at the University of California Davis  published a paper in the American Journal of Sports Medicine evaluating three of these products to determine their cellular composition.

Dr. Panera and his group approached seven companies that produce amniotic products. These companies were invited to participate and submit samples to be tested, but only three did so. Those samples were analyzed for the presence of stem cells, and growth factors and these products were compared to unprocessed amniotic fluid and two separate samples of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow aspirates.

RESULTS:

Dr. Panera and his associates were unable to identify stem cells in the commercial amniotic products tested. Mesenchymal stem cells WERE cultured from bone marrow aspirates.

Despite the lack of living stem cells in the amniotic samples, there were growth factors identified in all specimens.

Stem Cell Lab

This study does not necessarily suggest that amniotic products are unhelpful.  In fact many patients seem to have had some promising results from the use of these products and certainly the presence of growth factors suggest these products may still be a promising tool in the treatment of spine and joint disease. However, it seems clear that if stem cells are the tool you are looking for, bone marrow concentrate (BMC) is the better option in cases where that is possible.  Certainly in cases where patients have brittle bones, or other reasons why BMC is not a great choice, perhaps amniotic products are still a reasonable option.

At Southcoast Regenerative Medicine we use bone marrow concentrate in the treatment of spine and joint disease in most cases. We believe this is typically the best source for living, viable stem cells, and is also a rich source for growth factors.  We also believe patients will get a better response from BMC than from purchased, frozen amniotic products. Patients should consider this data when choosing their stem cell clinic.

In addition to the article above, there is now a podcast entitled BAD BATCH. This podcast tells the story of a bad batch of cells, which the FDA has concluded was contaminated and then distributed to several clinics, with many of the patients of those clinics suffering serious illness. A sample was analyzed and the analysis found no living stem cells.

This suggests that if patients choose to obtain stem cell treatments from the clinics that purchase these cells, those patients have two worries

  • are there any living cells in these specimens that I am planning to have injected?
  • has there been contamination during the processing of these cells that could harm me?

AT SOUTHCOAST REGENERATIVE MEDICINE WE USE AUTOLGOUS (YOUR OWN) CELLS.  MANY STUDIES HAVE SHOW THAT THERE ARE LIVING VIABLE STEM CELLS IN BONE MARROW SAMPLES. THER IS ALSO NO RISK OF CONTAMINATION DURING PROCESSING. 

COME FOR A VISIT AND LET US TEACH YOU ABOUT YOUR STEM CELL OPTIONS, AND EXPLAIN THE SAFETY AND PROVEN CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF USING YOUR OWN CELLS!

 

PRP Useful in multiple applications/ including sex!

No doubt you have heard of PRP!

Platelet Rich Plasma was early on used in dental procedures for healing, and later for tennis elbow and epicondylitis.

BUT IS PRP FOR SEX TOO?……Yep!

Dr. Charles Runnels has pioneered the P shot for men and the O shot for women.  The idea of each is increased blood flow to the penis and clitoris. These treatments are incredibly simple, painless, and have shown great promise in aiding in sexual pleasure.  The O Shot may decrease urinary incontinence in women, without the surgeries and complications associated.

What is PRP and how does it help?

 

PRP is simply a fraction of your blood. But that fraction has a variety of growth factors and cytokines to nurture tissue health.

These factors include:

  • IGF Insulin-like growth factor
  • PDEGF (platelet derived epidermal growth factor)
  • PDGF (platelet derived growth factor)
  • TGF (transforming growth factor)
  • ECGF (endothelial cell growth factor)
  • VECF (vascular endothelial growth factor)
  • bFGF (fibroblast growth factor)
  • and many more

These factors help in the following ways:

  • decreasing autoimune function
  • new vessel growth
  • larger adipocytes that multiply
  • collagen production
  • new nerves
  • new fibroblasts
  • better glandular function

So What does all this mean?  What applications are best suited for PRP?

 

PRP has been shown to be effective in a variety of conditions.  The most common are golfer’s and tennis elbow, but there are many more including:

  • Tendonitis, like achilles (ankle) and patella (knee)
  • Major joint arthritis (knee, hip arthritis)
  • Partial rotator cuff tear
  • Plantar fasciitis (foot pain)
  • Hair loss (see video with Dr. Jennifer Ashton from “The Doctors” TV show)
  • Vampire facials for better skin
  • Scar tissue
  • Treatment of lichen sclerosus
  • Treatment of dypareunia (pain in vagina with sex)
  • Peyronie’s disease in men
  • Erectile dysfuntion
  • Stress incontinence in women
  • Interstitial Cystitis
  • Nerve repair
  • sexual dysfunction in women

The Truth about PRP

PRP is proving to be helpful in a variety of applications. It has shown incredible promise, and along with Bone Marrow Concentrate, is the cornerstone of biologic treatments for musculoskeletal disease today.

PRP is less expensive than many other options and has almost no risk. The cells (coming from the patient themselves) are very unlikely to cause problems. The use of PRP in sexual dysfunction, cosmetics and hair loss is a reasonable extension of its use in dental and orthopedic procedures. PRP is an incredible, safe, reliable product that harnesses the bodies own healing powers, and can fix a variety of problems.

No doubt, in the future, we will see a greater use of PRP in even more applications.

 

 

How can Cellular Treatments help me if I already have knee arthritis?

Knee arthritis affects almost all of us if we live long enough.  Unfortunately, it affects some us much too soon and turns our retirement “Go Go Years” into “No Go Years”. Knee arthritis is the most common reason people come to see us for Regenerative Therapy.

Some patients come to us early to try to prevent the dramatic bone and cartilage changes that happen with arthritis. But others, only find out about regenerative medicine after they have already developed substantial changes. They have significant knee arthritis and ask……

Can Cell Therapy still help me if I already have knee arthritis?

The answer is YES!

Your own cells have the ability to provide more functionality and less pain, even in advanced cases of arthritis.

But How?

What can cell therap do if I already have significant arthritis?

Your own cells can create pain relief by blocking pain receptors

Some cells have the ability to give patients pain relief, regardless of the degree of arthritis.

Pain Relief

This is because certain cells themselves can block receptors that cause pain. These are the same receptors that drugs block, and the patient feels similar relief, but there is no risk of addiction.

Some Cells can block inflammation in arthritic joints

Remember Granny on the Beverly Hillbillies TV show? She could predict the weather through her arthritis pain level. This really is true to some extent and is likely related to changes in inflammation and pressure within a joint. This can be blocked by stem cells.

Patients often go through periods of advanced pain, which may related to inflammation secondary to activity or illness. This can be limited by certain cell types.

Some Cells can heal meniscus and ligament injury

We know from both lab studies in animals, and clinical studies in humans, that certain cells can heal meniscus tears and knee ligament injury. Part of the arthritis process is a change in the structure of these key knee elements.

Knee Joint Cross Section Showing the major parts which made the knee joint  11 lateral collateral ligament 12 quadriceps

Some Stem Cell Clinics take processed cells and simply inject them blindly into the knee. That likely is not the best option. At Southcoast Medical, we focus on the key parts of the knee by directing cells to the bone, cartilage and the meniscus.  We take specific efforts to visualize and inject the meniscus and lateral ligaments that overlay them. We believe this provides more direct healing power to those tissues and allows the knee to regain stability and structural support.

Some Cells can grow new cartilage

The primary issue in knee arthritis is cartilage loss. This leads to many other problems.

Lab studies (University of Pittsburgh)  and human case reports make it clear that stem cells have the ability to heal cartilage and thus improve function. While it is not yet clear if this can be replicated clinically, it is a reason for directing cells not just to the knee joint, but also to the bone below the damaged cartilage, recognizing that this may help those tissues heal more thoroughly.

Some Cells can heal bone

Bone growth was one of the earliest applications for stem cells. It is quite clear these cells can grow new bone.

Some Cells replicate, and their effects are long lasting

Certain cells replicate, producing many more healing cells. These cells and their effects may last indefinitely so that the healing properties of stem cells persist over many years.

 

Cell Therapy can help even after patients develop severe arthritis

There are some cases in which outcomes after stem cell are not good. In those cases, after examination and review of imaging studies, if we felt cell therapy would not help you, we would make that clear, and explain your best chance of success may be with other options.

However in most cases, even with severe arthritis, there is good evidence that cellular therapy can help.

If you have Knee arthritis already and wonder if cell treatments still might help you, then you need to see a capable physician with experience in this realm.

At Southcoast Medical we have that experience. We are ethical. We will guide you to your best option.

Call us today.

Give us the chance to help you live a more productive life with less pain!

What Happens in a Cell Therapy Procedure?

You have decided that cellular therapy treatments may be worth considering.  But you wonder what exactly happens during the procedure.

Before the procedure

In the time leading up the procedure, you will have seen your physician and he or she will have decided stem cell could help you.   They will ask you to do a few things prior to the procedure:

  • avoid non steroidal medications (like motrin, advil and alleve) for 10 days to two weeks prior to the procedure
  • let the staff know if you develop any unusual illness prior to the procedure, virus, cold, UTI etc. (we may need to reschedule)
  • scrub your entire body prior to the procedure with an antibacterial soap
  • stop blood thinners for 2-4 days prior to the procedure (please discuss with staff ahead of time)
  • wear loose clothing
  • take an anti-anxiety medication if needed

The Cell therapy Procedure

The procedure is not typically very involved, nor does it take long.

For autologous procedures (using your own cells), we will need to do a couple of things.

First: The area from which we take the cells (your hip, in your lower back) will be cleaned.  A small amount of local anesthetic will be used to numb the skin, and to numb the surrounding fat and the bone. Once this has made the area numb, a small needle will be inserted through the bone and some cells withdrawn.

Next: The cells taken from bone marrow are processed in a centrifuge and filtering device. This takes a little time to separate the cells we will use.

Finally: when the cells we will use are ready, the doctor will use an ultrasound machine or x-ray to visualize the tissues in the area of your pain.  The skin will be anesthetized. A small needle will be used to access the tissues, and the different types of cells will be injected in the appropriate areas.

Once this has been done, a bandage is applied.

After the Procedure

After the procedure we will want you to continue to move your joint, and we will want you to walk. You can expect some mild discomfort for a few days, and you will be given medicines to help if needed.  In some cases, often with a knee, we may prescribe a brace.

Your blood thinners can be resumed after 48 hours.

How Long Before Pain Relief?

It takes a little while for stem cells to repair injured tissue. We tell patients this may be 90-120 days

 

Cellular therapy Procedures are short. No anesthesia is needed except local lidocaine.

There is no:

  • hospitalization
  • being “put to sleep”
  • significant risk of general anesthesia
  • need for a long recovery period

If you are interested in cellular therapy treatments,  we at Southcoast Medical are here to help. Come see us today.

STEM CELL….Your cells or donated cells?

Stem Cell Desriptions

Stem cells are cells that have not yet matured and retain the ability to become more than one type of cell.  This potential gives us the ability to use the cells for healing.

There are different types of stem cells.

  • Totipotent cells …. can become any cell type in body or placenta tissue.   These are only very early embryonic cells
  •  Pluripotent cells can become any cell in the body, these are typically embryonic cells
  •  Multipotent cells, can become many cell types but not all, these are adult stem cells and cord blood cells

So with both cord blood cells and adult stem cells being similar in types of potency, which one is best.

Allogenic Stem Cells (donor cells)

Donor stem cells are called allogenic stem cells. These typically come from cord blood of a normal healthy birth.  Most of the Regenerative Procedures in the U.S. done today are done by chiropractors with these cells.  There is very little to do except take the cells from their liquid nitrogen transport medium, and inject.  So far we believe these cells to be very safe.  They are expensive, and the FDA has called for clear studies to assess:

  • risk of rejection
  • risk of unwanted biological expression
  • toxicity
  • risk of neoplasm

At present, there is little evidence for concern, however there are some researchers who suggest cell viability in the liquid nitrogen is poor and there may be few stem cells in the final product.

To read more extensively about this access the paper, Risk Factors in the development of Stem Cell Therapy.

Autologous Stem Cells (your own cells)

Some physicians choose to use only autologous cells, or cells which come from your own body. These cells obviously are from you already, so there is little risk.

These cells are called mesenchymal stem cells and are able to become many different types of tissue and are often used for cartilage, bone and soft tissue injury.

FDA comments

In 2017 the FDA commented on the use of stem cells. Both ALLOGENIC and AUTOLOGOUS  procedures are now allowed, but the FDA is calling for more research on donated cells. This grace period runs until the fall of 2020, at which point the FDA will again comment.

Which Cells are the best for me?

At Southcoast Regenerative Medicine we think the autologous cells are most commonly the best to use. The risk involved is extremely small, with complications rare, and there is no risk of cell rejection or problems from cells donated from another source.

There may be cases in which allogenic (donor) cells are best, and in those cases we will guide the patient to the best decision for them.

 

IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING STEM CELL, AND WANT TO KNOW YOUR BEST OPTION, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.

 

New Causes for ARTHRITIS?

What is Arthritis, Who gets it, How do we treat it?

Arthritis can be our bane of existence, as we get older. Pain, limited range of motion, trouble walking, pain with sleep, arthritis can cause all these things. If we have failed all treatments, what can we do?

Medicine keeps moving forward and recent treatments now include biologic therapy for arthritis and spine pain. This can work, even if all other things have failed.

New research on why we get Arthritis

We all know about arthritis and we all know it is much more common in older people.  But there are younger people who develop arthritis, and some people get arthritis worse than others. Arthritis can happen because:

  • you are older (we all likely will get arthritis if we live long enough)
  • your lifestyle (wear and tear)
  • You have too much weight
  • Your genetics

Once it happens, the pain and limited motion can make life miserable.

 

 

How do we treat Arthritis?

Typically, we do the same things for arthritis:

  • avoid causes of pain
  • uses a brace
  • take motrin or alleve
  • get knee injection

But what do we do if this fails?

Biologic therapy Treatments for arthritis can help

Cellular Therapy is still not accepted by many traditional doctors. But it should be, and it will be. 

Our understanding of arthritis is changing and along with that our understanding of treatments will change as well and research on cell therapy shows it can work as well or better than big surgeries like knee replacement.

Cellular therapy can treat Arthritis!

If you are a patient told your arthritis is from “wear and tear” or “obesity” and told you need surgery, maybe it is time for you to question your doctor.  Maybe there are other reasons you developed arthritis, and maybe there are other treatments.

We Can Help.

Don’t keep dealing with arthritis pain because you don’t want surgery.  Don’t keep listening to doctors who tell you there are no other options but surgery.

Southcoast Medical can help. We cannot guarantee success, but we can guarantee to give you more options, answer your questions, and to make you aware of some of the exciting new treatments that have incredible potential, including cell therapy. These therapies have been shown to help.

Take your first step to recovery with an appointment.

 

 

 

A week in St. Louis with Bluetail Group

Any of you who have read through this website know how much I believe in Regenerative Medicine. It is not only the most incredible thing I have seen in 25 years of medicine, but it is the future.

Stem cell already has been shown to work for knee and hip arthritis. But in the future, stem cells will be used to heal heart and kidney disease.  Stem cells will regenerate organs and heal diabetes and make transplants a thing of the past. I believe this.  But how do we know these procedures work for joint and spine pain now?

AN EARLY STEM CELL CLINIC

Many doctors have been slow to accept stem cell as an option, dismissing its potential without doing research. There are also many unethical clinics that have given stem cells and their use a bad name.

But there are some stem cell pioneers. These physicians and groups have done much to research and promote the use of stem cell treatments. The physicians from Bluetail Medical Medical group were one of the first clinics in North America to adopt the use of stem cell and regenerative medicine. They have used these techniques for over 13 years to treat joint and spine disease. In that time, they have done over 50,000 stem cell procedures and they continue to use these procedures today to help patients with arthritis get relief.

Below are photos of two of these early adopters, Dr. David Crane and Dr. Kristen Oliver.

                                                                                                                                            

The Bluetail Group

Dr. David Crane the Bluetail clinic founder,  Dr. Kristin Oliver and Dr. Matt Bayes have enormous experience with stem cell. Though located in St. Louis, the clinic treats patients from all over the U. S.   Last year I joined the Bluetail Network knowing that the expertise and data from this group would allow me to provide more beneficial options to my patients here in South Carolina and Georgia.

I spent a week in May with these physicians, watching them assess and treat patients with joint and spine disease.  We spent a great deal of time reviewing their techniques and outcomes and with them guiding me on the best ways to provide these treatments to patients.

While with the group, I watched a multitude of knee treatments with Dr. Oliver, and spent hours in the fluoroscopy suite with Dr. Crane treating spine disease. All of these procedures used autologous bone marrow (the patients own stem cells) combined with some techniques that have helped improved outcomes. Several of the patients were repeat customers, coming for a left knee treatment for example, after a successful right knee treatment.  The spine treatments were similar to those Jack Nicklaus had, and which he states improved his pain significantly.

These physicians were early adopters of an approach that many physicians and orthopedic surgeons still question. But as time goes by, there is more and more data internationally to support the use of stem cell for spine and joint pain. See the reasons to believe stem cell can work and the reference to Dr. Hernigou’s French study in which patients preferred stem cells 2 to 1 over knee surgery.

STEM CELL TREATMENTS USED WITH SUCCESS

The physicians at Bluetail have found stem cell treatments to be very beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. Their personal communication on the rate of patient satisfaction was in the 90th percentile. Knee arthritis is the most common indication and there is no doubt there is literature to support this approach.

Dr. Crane shared the techniques he had found most helpful for patients with chronic spine disease. He has used stem cell to treat:

  • spinal discs
  • spinal joints
  • spine ligaments and soft tissues
  • spinal nerve roots

AND PATIENTS HAVE FOUND RELIEF!

The group has found stem cell to be successful for other issues as well:

  • tennis elbow
  • plantar fasciitis
  • hip arthritis
  • rotator cuff pain and injury
  • foot and hand arthritis
  • and more……

 

STEM CELL IS THE FUTURE. IT DOES WORK

You may not know too much about stem cell, and you may have heard that it cannot work for you.  But we are here to tell you that stem cell can work for many applications and it can give years of relief.

Isn’t it time that you investigated further?

Don’t let another week go by without talking to a physician with experience. Come see us and let us help you find the right solution for you.

Don’t keep living with problems that can be addressed.

Take your first steps now.

SOUTHCOAST REGENERATIVE MEDICINE IS HERE TO HELP

 

 

 

 

What is a Stem Cell?

These days most everyone who knows anything about medicine has heard the term “Stem cells” and “Stem Cell Treatments” of all kinds.

Stem Cells have been in the news, are advertised in the newspapers and have been available for years, but right now, their only “FDA Approved” use is in blood disorders.
But What is a Stem Cell and what does it do?

Stem cells are precursor cells that can become any cell

Stem cells are in all of us. They are building block cells that eventually grow into every different type of cell in our bodies.

What makes these cells special? Why are they different from normal cells?

The reason stem cells are different is that they are “undifferentiated” cells, meaning they have yet to begin to change into a specific cell type. To understand this, we have to consider the development process and understand what happens when we are born.

Our Development Process

Initially, when a child is developing in the mother, that child begins as only one cell, an egg that has been fertilized by a sperm.

Sperm and egg cell, ovum.

That one cell has the power to become any part of us, such as brain, lungs, muscle, nerve, etc. As the development process continues the one cell turns into two, then the two cells turn into four, then eight, and so on. As there are more and more cells, each cell becomes more specialized. Some cells become heart cells, others muscle or bone and some other organs. Once a cell specializes, it can never be anything else.

                                                                 Stem cells never specialize

But during development some of these cells never become specialized. Instead they stop developing and keep their ability to become one of many different types of cells. These are stem cells.

Stem cells retain the ability to become many different types of tissue, and they remain in our bodies laying quietly, waiting to be called into action. Besides being able to become any cell type they also retain the ability to duplicate themselves, creating more stem cells.

We have known that stem cells existed for many decades. Our first understanding of stem cells was the discovery of precursor cells in our bone marrow that could become any type of blood cell. That is the basis for “bone marrow transplants” in leukemia. Until recently researchers did not realize we had stem cells in many places other than our bone marrow. We know now that these stem cells exist in our bones, in muscle, skin, teeth and even our brains.

Why are stem cells important?

Do you know anyone who is on dialysis?

A young male on a dialysis machine

If so, you likely understand that the reason that person has to go to a clinic three times a week for several hours each day is because their kidneys no longer work properly. Patients on dialysis often hope they will receive a kidney transplant to solve their kidney problems and end their need for dialysis.

But what if you had kidney failure and instead of a transplant, your doctor said that he was going to inject your kidney with some stem cells, and grow you a new kidney. This sounds ridiculous, but it is not. It is the future. Cellular therapy and Tissue engineering will one day cause this to happen.

We cannot grow new kidneys from stem cells yet, but work is being done now through the University of Southern California Stem Cell Initiative to try to develop stem cells into small organs. Tissue engineering has already produced a lab created bladder that was implanted, and from which the young patient found tremendous relief.  One day we will no longer need transplants of organs, but simply transplants of cells that can develop into organs. Stem cells and cellular therapy are the future of medicine.

Research is ongoing in using stem cells for organ development, but Freddie Fu at the University of Pittsburgh has already shown that stem cells can regenerate cartilage in the lab. We don’t yet know if that same thing happens in humans, when these cells are injected to treat arthritis, but there is reason to believe it may. This can be an incredible treatment option for knee arthritis or hip arthritis and there are already many case reports of such success.

Stem cells hold enormous potential to treat a variety of medical problems. One day we will use them to restore heart tissue injured by heart attacks, or to create new organs damaged by disease. Just as the Bluetail Skink has the ability to “lose its tail” and then regrow it later, the use of stem cells may one day allow us to grow new limbs. Stem cell research is ongoing around the world and its long term potential is incredible.

Though we are years from organ development using stem cells, we already are using cellular therapy to treat arthritis and spine disease. There are ongoing studies and many case reports that cell therapy may already provide some relief in joint and spine pain.

If you are suffering from arthritis or injury and think you may be a cellular candidate, don’t wait any longer. Come see us and let us help you explore these options, and make sure you have tried all conventional options.

Contact us for an appointment.

New Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis can cause a great deal of pain and disability.
This  leads to limiting activities you love at a point in life when you should be able to reap the rewards of many years of work.

Arthritis pain may even affect sleep.

The most common treatments for arthritis often don’t work:

  • rest and avoidance of activities that provoke pain
  • non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • arthroscopic debridement (shown to be only as effective as sham surgery)
  • bracing
  • Physical Therapy
  • Total Knee Replacement (with 1/4 chance of chronic pain)

What else can I do for arthritis pain?

One of the most exciting new advances in the treatment of arthritis is the isolation of a protein called Alpha 2 Macroglobulin.  This is a protein that is able to stop the progression of arthritis and relieve pain.

Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M) is a large protein we all have in our blood. It is made in the liver, and found in relatively high concentrations in plasma, but very low concentrations in joints. A2M can stop arthritis and can give patients significant pain relief.

There is a test, called the FAC test, that can reveal if A2M can help you.

There is also data to suggest injections of A2M in a painful disc, may relieve back pain.

THE PROCEDURE FOR USING ALPHA 2 MACROGLOBULIN TO STOP ARTHRITIS PAIN

Unlike surgery, using A2M to stop arthritis pain does not require anesthesia. It does not require painful incisions and long recovery time. It does not expose patients to high risks of blood clots, bleeding and hospital time.

The procedure for the use of A2M is actually quite simple and relatively pain free.

First the patient comes in for an evaluation, and in many cases an FAC test is done.
Then the patient is brought to the office and a small needle is used to draw blood which is then centrifuged and filtered.
The portion of plasma remaining contains high concentrations of A2M and is then directed into the appropriate joint using ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.

THAT’S IT!

  • Alpha 2 Macroglobulin can relieve knee arthritis pain!
  • Alpha 2 Macroglobulin can relieve hip arthritis pain!
  • Alpha 2 Macroglobulin can relieve shoulder arthritis pain!
  • Alpha 2 Macroglobulin is also being evaluated for use in other joints, such as with chronic hand and finger arthritis, foot arthritis, and in the treatment of ARTHRITIS of THE SPINE!

Why hasn’t my surgeon told me about A2M?

The use of Alpha 2 Macroglobulin is relatively new and most surgeons are unaware of the potential it holds. Some surgeons may be hesitant to offer this option because they would rather do surgery.

The process of using this protein also requires training and experience and an understanding of which patients will respond best.

At Southcoast Regenerative Medicine, we have that experience and training, we can help!

If you are suffering from hip or knee arthritis, or any arthritic condition take steps now to relieve your pain:

  1. SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
  2. HAVE A SHORT, ALMOST PAIN FREE PROCEDURE
  3. BEGIN YOUR NEW, LESS PAINFUL, LIFE!

Can I afford “Cell Therapy”?

Let’s just admit that ORTHOBIOLOGICS can be expensive. Not everyone can afford cell therapy treatments –right now.

That said, the potential of this approach is so great that insurance will one day be forced to cover these treatments for many conditions. But that will not be soon.  Insurance companies traditionally ride on the coattails of Medicare and we live in a country with a huge national debt, lots of committed spending, and no extra money for things like this.  Medicare will not be covering stem cell treatments anytime in the near future.

But… can you afford Cell Therapy?

Let me make one thing very clear. I believe in this new science.

I believe Regenerative Medicine is the most incredible breakthrough in medicine in my lifetime. It is the future. It is well worth its cost for certain applications that have a sound basis in medical science and are being provided by ethical physicians.  But if obtaining a procedure is going to affect your daily life because you do not have the savings or discretionary income to use for the treatment…..Then do not do it! 

On the other hand, if you evaluate the cost of stem cell in context of the incredible results that many patients are experiencing, and if you consider the cost of having no treatment:

  • continued pain
  • diability
  • limited activities
  • possibly finally agreeing to surgical treatment and still having pain

You may see that cell therapy offers value for the cost.

 Can you afford to NOT consider cell therapy?

Cade Hildreth, who by her own admission is “a satisfied stem cell patient”, and runs the online magazine Bioinfomant, did an assessment of the cost of stem cell treatments.

Her Twitter Poll showed the following:

  • 30% of the respondents undergoing stem cell treatments spent $5,000 or less
  • 20% spent $5,000 to $10,000
  • 40% spent $10,000 to $25,000
  • 10% spent over $25,000

What is interesting is that there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to the cost of “stem cell treatments” at various clinics. The cost does not appear to be based on work involved, type of injection, severity of issues to be treated, but rather simply what that clinic chooses to charge. Price does not correspond to value.

I know a physician who began to offer stem cell, and now offers it to treat almost anything.  The manner in which he practices is simply unethical. His qualifications and skill level are questionable. Yet he charges higher prices than average. Don’t rely on cost to find your provider if you choose to have cell therapy.

Why is Cell Therapy so Expensive?

There are reasons these treatments are expensive.  The  largest cost is the cells.

Physicians who offer to use your own stem cells, pay a great deal for the equipment used for such procedures. There are also costs education, for marketing and liability insurance and sometimes like in our case, extra costs to be involved in a large network of physicians with a great deal of experience, so we are sure to offer only the most successful procedures.

What is the cost of No Treatment?

Sometimes when we discuss cost with patients we quickly hear them say “I cannot afford that”.  But is that true, really?

What is the cost of no treatment?  The cost is persistent pain and disabilty that will only get worse. The cost is sleepless nights. The cost is not being able to play tennis or golf or spend active time with children or grandchildren. The cost may be finally consenting to surgery like total knee replacement, paying the copays involved, being exposed to risks of surgery and anesthesia and blood clots, and then still having a one in four chance of chronic pain.

We daily make spending decisions based not on what we need, but what we want. Marketers realize how our mind works and they promote off road vehicles, jewelry, phones and more by appealing to what these things could bring to us, what they could make us become.  And we buy.

Ask yourself this:  What could be more important than health?

Cell therapy treatments can be expensive, but there clearly can be value in this treatment.  As you think about “stem cell” treatments and consider whether you should try it, make wise choices in choosing your provider? No physician can guarantee success but there are certainly better chances if you choose:

  • a reputable physician who is board certified
  • a clinic that has experience with cell therapy
  • a physician who is ethical and has your best interest at heart

At Southcoast Regenerative Medicine we offer these cellular therapy treatments because we believe they work. We also offer other, less expensive treatments. Most importantly, we offer value for your cost. We have years of experience treating spine and joint pain. We constantly study current literature on regenerative techniques, utilize the data and experience of the Bluetail Medical Network with over 50,000 stem cell procedures, and we practice ethical medicine. We can help you choose the best, and the least expensive product that might work for you, and we will tell you if you are NOT a good candidate for this approach.

Doing nothing has a cost too!

No one can promise success with these treatments. What we can promise is that we will give you your best chance at success!

If you are unsure, or simply want more information: Call, send an email, or make an appointment today.