Stem cell therapy is an exciting treatment, and new benefits of regenerative medicine are being discovered every day.
Think stem cell therapy is right for you? If you’re like most smart consumers, you’ll want to do your homework before making a decision whether to move forward.
There are no “dumb” questions when it comes to your health, and ignorance is not bliss. Research every aspect you can so that you know to ask the right questions of the practitioners. You may even consider tracking down former patients to hear their experiences.
Let’s give you a head start. Here are some great questions to ask the practitioner you’re considering for the procedure, as well as the answers you can expect.
Question: What are the benefits of stem cell therapy?
Answer: Using this promising technique, doctors can use your own body’s healing abilities, redistributing healthy stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged tissue, and even prevent further tissue degeneration for people suffering from conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Spine Degeneration
- Herniated Disks
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Inherited Genetic Diseases
- Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
- Rotator Cuff Tears
- More…
Question: Is stem cell therapy safe?
Answer: While there are risks with any medical procedure, stem cell therapy is generally safe, and has proven to be effective in treating a variety of common conditions and injuries.
Very importantly, when you utilize your own stem cells for treatment, there is little if any risk of rejection or contamination.
Question: Are the stem cells manipulated?
Answer: No. Stem cells are isolated from other tissue in your body, but not manipulated or altered in any way. Specialists in this field believe that stem cells adapt and transform to repair the tissue into which they are embedded, so manipulation is not necessary.
Additionally, if done properly, stem cells will not experience contamination from the bone marrow or fat (adipose tissue) from which they have been extracted.
Question: How do I know that the stem cells are going to the right place?
Answer: Practitioners use imaging tools, such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy to guide injections with high precision. Different methods are preferred for different treatment sites – ask the practitioner which is better for what he or she will be doing.
Question: What is your experience with stem cells?
Answer: As with any specialized therapy, the person with whom you select to work should have a high desgree of experience with the procedure. Don’t be afraid to ask about this, as well as the success rate of the procedures he or she has performed.
Bottom Line…
The ultimate goal is for you to feel as comfortable as possible with the procedure you want to undergo. Knowledge of the facts is the best way to get there.