Stem cell treatments are tailored to each person’s unique needs. In many situations, we place stem cells directly into the targeted area. For example, we might inject them into a joint like the shoulder for joint treatment, or into the scalp or face for aesthetic purposes. In other cases, we administer stem cells through the veins, allowing the treatment’s effects to spread throughout the entire body.

When direct injection isn’t feasible, we use intravenous treatment. This is done when dealing with conditions inside the body’s organs, such as the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, or endocrine systems. In these cases, the stem cells use a “homing effect.” The affected organ releases substances into the bloodstream that signal the rest of the body about the problem. The stem cells detect these signals and travel to the specific organ needing help, where they can take action to promote healing.

Stem cells work in various ways:

1. They can change and become different types of tissues, especially connective tissue.
2. They share parts of themselves with damaged cells in your own body, helping those cells stay alive.
3. They release exosomes, which are tiny sacs containing substances that can reduce inflammation and change how the immune system works in the tissues where they’re released.

Cells taken from umbilical cords offer three key benefits compared to cells from the patient’s own body:

1. No invasive procedure is needed to collect the cells, unlike when using stem cells from bone marrow or adipose tissue.

2. The quantity of cells available is not restricted when using umbilical cells. In contrast, with patient-derived cells, the number of cells is limited to what’s already in their tissues.

3. Over time, autologous stem cells often lose their effectiveness and might become impaired, reducing their usefulness as a treatment. This isn’t the case with umbilical cord-derived cells.

Normally, patients come to us for a week of treatment. The stem cell procedure usually takes place on the third or fourth day. Every day, they’ll spend an hour inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which is a strong treatment for healing and reducing inflammation. Besides that, they’ll have consultations and receive vitamin IVs. Throughout the week, patients will spend around two hours each day with us.

In general, we recommend that patients focus on eating healthy before their treatment and avoid alcohol and smoking right before and after the procedure. We also have a consultation before the treatment to make sure patients are ready and to increase the chances of a successful outcome.

A single stem cell treatment can result in clinical improvements that might last for several years, depending on the specific health issue. For instance, in cases of joint treatments, we’ve observed the growth of connective tissue for as long as 6 months after the cell injection. When it comes to autoimmune diseases, the level of symptom control achieved can extend up to a year following intravenous application, depending on the seriousness of the condition. However, it’s important to remember that even though stem cell therapy holds great promise, the exact effects in each individual case cannot be guaranteed.

These procedures are typically not covered by insurance. We do however offer financing options for patients.