It’s understandable to have a lot of questions about a topic that not many people know much about. This can especially be the case when one is considering receiving cellular therapy. Although it’s a fairly new approach to treating medical conditions, it’s a fast-growing practice with many people predicting that it is the future of medicine. As a medical facility that prides itself on being one of the forefronts to providing cellular therapy treatment for multiple conditions, Regeneris Medical has compiled the top 7 questions to ask when considering cellular therapy.
Questions to Ask When Considering Cellular Therapy
1. What cellular therapies are available?
There are several different types of cellular therapies that have been integrated into regenerative medicine. These include skin and blood stem cells, cord blood stem cells, bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adipose(fat)-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and fetal stem cells.
The most frequently used stem cells tend to be bone or adipose(fat) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). While some facilities still use bone MSCs, there is no doubt that autologous adipose-derived MSCs are by far the easiest and least painful to obtain, and absolutely ethical for the conduction of cellular therapy.
2. What cellular therapy should I choose?
This really depends on what you are trying to accomplish (for example, if you give birth and want to freeze your cord blood for your child for when he/she grows older and may need easy access to a potent and effective cellular therapy). Generally, mesenchymal stem cells are the most used due to their availability. Keep in mind that mesenchymal stem cells are 2,000 times more abundant in adipose (fat) tissue than bone. And like we’ve mentioned before, the protocol for harvesting adipose-derived MSCs (also known as Stromal Vascular Fraction, or SVF) is much easier and far less painful than harvesting bone-derived MSCs.
3. Who provides cellular therapy?
With regenerative medicine becoming more and more popular, and the research and use of cellular therapies on the rise, providers and clinical trials can be found nearly in every state within the United States of America. In fact, the U.S. currently has 136 clinical trials going on. That just shows you how popular the idea of utilizing regenerative medicine and cellular therapies is becoming.
One of the most important things you can do before receiving treatment from a doctor who claims to use cellular therapy is to do your research on said provider. Make sure that this doctor has a good reputation by using Google, FaceBook, Twitter, asking around on internet health forums, and speaking with other providers.
4. What does your provider specialize in?
This will require some research on your part. It’s important to know just what your provider specializes in. With this in mind, choose a practitioner that focuses on whatever part of the body your condition affects. Some facilities, such as Regeneris Medical, have multiple practitioners with different specialties.
However, understand that because cellular therapy is still being researched (note that that receiving autologous cellular therapies is safe), consider receiving treatment if a provider offers you to be a part of a study. The benefit of this is that you will receive free study medication and treatment, and you may be qualified to receive a stipend for your time and travel.
5. What facility near me has the most experience with cellular therapy?
Again, you’ll have to research a little further to make sure you are indeed choosing an honest and qualified practitioner. Big hospitals/medical facilities--or affiliates of these places--with notoriety and good reputations will generally have some sort of stem cell faction within them.
If you’re open to travel, Massachusetts is the top state within the U.S. in terms of providing above-and-beyond health care access with some of the most world-renowned doctors working there. Regeneris Medical is proud to be amongst one of the few facilities in New England that specifically specializes in treating ailments with regenerative medicine and cellular therapy.
6. What is the cost difference between traditional therapy and the cellular therapy?
Although cellular therapies are not covered by insurance, they can save you time and money in the long run. For example, receiving PRP Stem Cell Therapy instead of having total knee replacement surgery can help you avoid years of recovery time and multiple surgeries, as well as keep your wallet happy (in comparison to paying for a TKR, including all of the pre and post surgical factors such as physical therapy, infection treatment, follow-ups, etc.).
7. Should I participate in clinical trials for cellular therapies?
As we’ve mentioned before participating in clinical trials for cellular therapies can be incredibly beneficial. Not only for the researchers, but for the patients, as well. The benefits of participating in these studies is that, for the most part, (a) health insurance is not required (b) you will receive free study medication/treatment (c) you will also receive a stipend for your time and travel.
Contact Us
If you are considering cellular therapy over traditional therapy, call us at 1-855-734-3678 or e-mail us at info@regenerismedical.com