PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY STEM CELL TREATMENTS
If you have never heard of stem cell therapy, then chances are you avoid watching or reading the news and are not on any kind of social media. For years now the medical and scientific uses of stem cells have been all over the media and the internet. Stem cells may be the building blocks of the human body, as they have the ability to develop into many other different kinds of cells within the body. It’s no surprise then that people wonder about peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatment options.
This is very exciting for doctors and scientists due to the potential medical benefits that stem cells can have. Stem cell studies have even shown how certain birth defects and cancer happen, as well as give information about conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. With this type of research ongoing, it brings to question whether peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatment is an effective option.
What is Peripheral Neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged. Many factors can contribute to this damage.
Peripheral neuropathy often causes weakness and numbness in the affected extremities, usually the hands and the feet. Other common symptoms include sharp, jabbing, throbbing, or burning pain, lack of coordination, and extreme sensitivity to touch. Sometimes it will also affect body functions like digestion, circulation, and bladder function.
Neuropathy is a condition that arises from damage to the peripheral nerves, with symptoms including pain, muscle weakness, and numbness. The peripheral nervous system sends information from the brain and spinal cord, also called the central nervous system, to the rest of the body through motor nerves. A wide range of tests can help with diagnosing peripheral neuropathy.
If your pain from peripheral neuropathy or nerve injury doesn’t improve with standard medications, pain specialists may occasionally offer other treatments such as acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, injections, or surgery to implant a spinal cord stimulator.
Chronic Pain & Inflammation from Peripheral Neuropathy
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a chronic form of Guillain-Barre in which the symptoms continue for months and even years.
The symptoms of this chronic pain include severe and debilitating pain and tingling sensations. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system through sensory nerves.
In some cases, peripheral neuropathy symptoms start before the condition causes permanent changes or damage, so it may be possible to limit the effects or even reverse them. Stem cell therapy can be used for nerve regeneration and pain relief.
CAUSES AND STANDARD TREATMENTS FOR PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Peripheral neuropathy can be a result of trauma that you have suffered to the affected area, as well as severe bacterial infections, metabolic issues, and exposure to toxins. Peripheral neuropathy can also result from genetically inherited conditions. However, by far the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes.
While the specific cause of neuropathy is yet unknown, researchers believe that over time, diabetic neuropathy occurs when uncontrolled high blood sugar damages the nerves and interferes with the nerves’ ability to send signals to the central nervous system. Controlling diabetes early, with medication and lifestyle changes is the best way to ensure that no nerve damage will occur.
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDS FOR NEUROPATHY
Outside of the possibilities of peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatments, the standard treatment of peripheral neuropathy includes over-the-counter pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
If a patient experiences severe pain, some doctors will even prescribe painkillers such as opioids like Oxycontin. However, due to the risk of dependence, these options are not ideal. Typically, this is a last resort when other treatment options fail.
RX MEDS FOR NEUROPATHY
Anti-seizure medications like gabapentin and pregabalin have also been known to treat nerve pain, as well as some topical treatments such as capsaicin and lidocaine that are applied directly to the skin.
Some side effects associated with this treatment include drowsiness and dizziness, with some numbness at the site of the application. There has also been some success in treating neuropathy with antidepressants.
There are some therapies that may ease the signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy; however, none of these therapies have cured the condition.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the treatments for peripheral neuropathy. Electrodes placed on the skin deliver a gentle electric current at varying frequencies for 30 minutes daily for about a month. Other forms of therapy include plasma exchange, physical therapy, and as a last case scenario, surgery.
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY STEM CELL RESEARCH
Nerve damage is a terrible affliction that can severely affect the quality of someone’s life if it is severe enough. Numbness, loss of function of the hands and feet, and the sometimes-terrible pain can be enough to even consider surgical options with low rates of success. Most of the non-surgical peripheral neuropathy treatment options are more like band-aids on an arterial wound. They do little to curb the symptoms and nothing to address the root causes of the pain.
Stem Cell research is highly regulated by the FDA. After all, procurement of a certain type of stem cells, namely embryonic stem cells, is a very delicate ethical matter. Embryonic stem cells can only be harvested from a human embryo at a certain stage of development.
Adult stem cells, on the other hand, can be harvested from the very individual seeking the stem cell treatment. Therefore, they’re much easier to use. Adult stem cells; however, have less of an ability to differentiate into other types of cells, unlike embryonic stem cells.
These adult stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells, may treat nerve damage. When they are injected at the site of the damage, these cells have the ability to transform themselves into new supportive cells. In turn, they may help the body produce additional neurons on its own, according to The National Stem Cell Clinic.
COULD STEM CELLS HELP WITH NEUROPATHIC PAIN SYMPTOMS?
One exciting study by Oxford University, (Veronica R. Fortino, 2013), shows that peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatment poses an exciting therapeutic potential to deal with neuropathic pain and symptoms.
The study demonstrated that stem cells have the potential to arrest degenerative processes, inhibit apoptotic pathways, and augment the survival/recovery pathways of injured and uninjured nerves.
This alongside the neurotrophic factor-releasing nature of stem cells the ability of stem cells to modify cellular processes provides for a protective and restorative microenvironment that can potentially fully reverse the causes behind the onset of neuropathic pain.
All the current and traditional medications and treatments for peripheral neuropathy do not address the issue directly, they only help to alleviate some of the terrible pain and discomfort felt by the sufferer of the condition. This is why the preliminary research into peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatment is so exciting.
CAN STEM CELLS ADDRESS NEUROPATHIC PAIN AT THE SOURCE?
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have also been studied to treat diabetic neuropathy directly. Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a condition that is responsible for peripheral neuropathy in most cases. DN is a very serious disease that affects around 60 to 70 percent of individuals with diabetes.
More than 50% of all amputations that occur annually are associated with diabetes and DN. These stats make DN one of the most serious medical conditions that affect the population of the United States as nearly 1 in 10 Americans suffer from diabetes, according to the CDC. Without any effective clinical therapy to combat DN, the possibility of an effective stem cell treatment has doctors and scientists very excited.
A study by Cell Death Discovery (J Y Zhou, 2016), investigated the multipotency aspect of adult stem cells in regard to the treatment of DN. In their study, the researchers found that “MSCs reverse manifestations of DN, repair tissue, and antihyperglycemia.
MSCs also paracrinely secrete neurotrophic factors, angiogenic factors, cytokines, and immunomodulatory substances to ameliorate DN” In laymen’s terms the researchers in this study found that stem cells are effective in making DN better but do not cure the condition.
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY STEM CELL TREATMENT AT STEM CELLS LA
Stem cell research and treatments are regulated by the FDA. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to find a reputable treatment facility. There are a lot of back-alley, unregulated stem cell treatment centers that operate just to make a profit. If stem cell treatments are not administered correctly, not only can the treatment be ineffective, but there can also be a risk of serious bacterial infections and other medical issues.
At Stem Cells LA, we operate completely above board and in accordance with all of the government regulations. Our doctors are stem cell professionals and are up to date on all the latest research and technologies. We have provided many peripheral neuropathy stem cell injections for patients. Furthermore, we are well-versed in the appropriate application and treatment methods.
Peripheral neuropathy is a very painful condition that can severely decrease your quality of life. While the research into stem cell treatment for this condition is still in the early stages, it’s promising. For your convenience, we cited some of that research in this article.
However, we suggest that you do some research of your own into peripheral neuropathy stem cell treatments. It’s always best to conduct as much research as possible and we hope our contribution can help you make your final call.
Here at Stem Cells LA, we are available to answer any questions or concerns before you commit to a consultation. Our goal here is to help people while promoting new and exciting new stem cell treatments. Call us today.
LOS ANGELES STEM CELL THERAPY PROVIDERS
Stem Cells LA may be able to help address your arthritis, neuropathy, orthopedic disease, anti-aging, and more. Additionally, the restorative properties of stem cell treatments may help reduce healing time for other procedures including hair transplants and various injuries.
At Stem Cells LA, we’re happy to provide informational services and connect you with a cell therapy provider. They’ll help you determine if stem cell therapy is right for you and your unique situation. Please keep in mind that stem cells are NOT FOR EVERYONE.
Some people are candidates for stem cell procedures and others are not. We believe in the power of stem cells but at Stem Cells LA, we don’t do cures. However, we do add a very valuable tool to your wellness toolbelt.
It’s important to look into the patient experience. Your safety, privacy, and well-being are of the utmost importance to us. Remember, we’re here for you! Above all, only a qualified doctor can help you decide if stem cell therapy is right for you. We may be able to help set you up with a trusted regenerative medicine specialist. To book a consultation, call us today.
Stem Cells LA
(310) 281-6160 1970 S. Prospect Ave., Suite 2
REFERENCES
J Y Zhou, Z. Z. (2016). Mesenchymal stem cells to treat diabetic neuropathy: a long and strenuous way from bench to the clinic. Cell Death Discovery.
Veronica R. Fortino, D. P. (2013). Concise Review: Stem Cell Therapies for Neuropathic Pain. Stem Cells Transitional Medicine.
