Staying healthy is something most people are passionate about. As you get older, you will find it harder and harder to stay in good shape. Luckily, there are a variety of different treatments out there that are designed to reduce the pain and discomfort that comes with aging. Among the most used and innovative procedures out there are stem cell treatments in Louisville. While these treatments are highly effective, they are quite complex. This is why finding a reputable and experienced stem cell clinic is important. The following are some of the things you need to know before having stem cell treatments in Louisville.
There are Different Types of Stem Cells
The main thing you need to be aware of is that there are different types of stem cells. When going in to meet with a clinic about your treatments, you need to find out what type of stem cell is being used in your treatment. There are umbilical cord matrix cells that are the most powerful and potent cells available to help you heal. These cells are safe and regulated by the American Association of Tissue Banks. The procedure is an injection that is ready to go when you get to the office. There are also cells derived from your own bone marrow or adipose tissue. These cells are age and health dependent. The older a patient is or if there are multiple medical conditions then these cells are not as pure and potent as the umbilical cord stem cell. Painful procedures are needed to extract bone marrow and adipose tissue in the office. The procedure will take 2-4 hours in the office. Amniotic fluid or cells that come in the form of a powder have been deemed not as effective due to a lack of live stem cells being found in the powder as well as inconsistent concentrations of cells and cellular debris found in samples. There is no guarantee that you will be getting any stem cells if doing this type of treatment. Be wary of any clinic who fails to offer up this type of pertinent information. You must be your own advocate and researcher when seeking stem cell therapy.
Realistic Expectations
Treatments with stem cells are considered non-invasive. Patients rarely have any side effects. The one side effect that you may feel after a stem cell treatment may be fatigue. After injecting the stem cell into your spine or joint the cells will get to work removing inflammation and regenerating tissue. This may leave you feeling tired. This regenerative process takes time. You may feel less pain and an improvement in range of motion within the first few weeks but give your body time to heal and regenerate. Most effects are slowly recognized by our patients 3-6 months after an injection. Subtle signs that you are able to do more activity and the swelling in your joints has diminished are ways to tell stem cell therapy is working for you.
