Stem cell therapy can be used for nerve regeneration and pain relief. Neuropathy is a condition that arises from damage to the peripheral nerves, with symptoms including pain, muscle weakness, and numbness. In order to develop the best strategies for pain relief, diagnosing peripheral neuropathy and understanding how it connects to the brain and spinal cord is critical.
Diagnoses of neuropathy continue to increase globally due to the increasing incidence of diabetes and similar chronic diseases. In fact, 47 percent of people withdiabetes have peripheral neuropathy, according to Medscape. Therefore, innovative treatment strategies are needed to provide relief of symptoms while promoting nerve repair and regeneration.
Stem cell therapy is seen as a promising approach for the treatment of neuropathy because it gets to the root cause of the pain through the regeneration of damaged nerves and restoration of function. Stem cells are particularly well-suited for treating neuropathy because they can secrete growth factors that result in nerve growth and repair. On top of that, they have anti-inflammatory properties that may help treat neuropathy brought about by autoimmune disorders.
A Look at Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy affects the body’s nerves, with causes ranging from diabetes and autoimmune disorders to excess alcohol use and vitamin deficiencies. Symptoms include pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and numbness, and may also lead to changes in blood pressure and nerve damage as the condition progresses.
There are many types of neuropathy, and they include:
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
All of these conditions may result in nerve pain due to sensory nerve damage, motor nerve damage, and autonomic nerve damage.
Doctors can diagnose peripheral neuropathy by taking your medical history, giving you a thorough physical exam, and performing tests and imaging scans.
Once it is known the kind of peripheral neuropathy the patient has, the doctor can then develop an appropriate treatment plan to manage symptoms and address the root problem.
A Look at Stem Cells
Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and split up into specialized cells. They can be found in bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and adipose tissue (AKA body fat). With the potential to regenerate those damaged tissues, stem cells are a viable treatment option for neuropathy and a myriad of other conditions.
In this case, stem cell therapy involves the use of stem cells to regrow damaged nerve cells while improving nerve function and relieving neuropathic symptoms.
Stem cell therapy brings many benefits over traditional treatment methods such as medications, physical therapy, and anti-seizure medications.
Contact Michigan Center for Regenerative Medicine
If you suffer from neuropathy, come to our pain relief experts for a consultation. Call us to book your appointment at (248) 216-1008 and discover how stem cell therapy can help with your diabetic neuropathy.