Degenerative disc disease stem cell treatment offered

27/01/2016

Back pain relief clinic Atlantic Spine Center is now offering stem cell treatment for degenerative disc disease.

Degenerative disc disease, also known as spinal disc degeneration is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. It is caused by the spinal discs being damaged by age or injury. The discs, which act as cushions between the spinal vertebrae, lose height, fluid or flexibility, causing the vertebrae rub against each other, resulting in pain and stiffness.

The existing treatments for degenerative disc disease – anti-inflammatories, injections, physical therapy and, as a last resort surgery – are designed to relieve pain. Stem cell treatment targets the cause of the pain by regenerating the tissue of the disc and restoring its height and integrity.

This is done by harvesting mesenchymal stem cells – a type of cell that gives rise to cartilage, bone, muscle and fat, and is the primary means through which human bodies heal – from bone marrow in the patient’s hip and re-injecting them into the disc. The procedure can be done in one day and most patients will be back on their feet within a week.

A perfect match is needed for stem cell treatment to ensure the body will not reject the donated stem cells. The most painless way of harvesting stem cells is through a naturally shed tooth. While this can be done with an adult tooth, the best results come from baby teeth, as the stem cells taken from them will not have begin to deteriorate due to age or pollution.

According to Atlantic Spine Center Pain Management Specialist Dr Kaliq Chang treating degenerative disc disease provides pain relief without any reported long-term adverse effects, taking advantage of the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Atlantic Spine Center has several locations in New Jersey and New York City.