Living with chronic back pain can be exhausting—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether it’s from degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or years of wear and tear, the impact on your life can be major.
The good news? There’s a promising, minimally invasive procedure showing real potential: the use of stem cells to treat back pain. Stem cell therapy has been utilized for a few years and is showing promising results. At Stem Cells LA, we specialize in this innovative treatment, and in this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how stem cell therapy can provide long-lasting pain relief and help rebuild what’s been lost.
Understanding Back Pain and Its Root Causes
Before we dive into treatment, let’s look at what’s often causing your pain:
Discogenic low back pain: Pain originating from the intervertebral discs
Disc degeneration: Breakdown of the discs that cushion your spine, which is a common cause of back pain due to the wear and tear of intervertebral discs
Chronic inflammation: Ongoing inflammation that triggers chronic pain
Herniated or damaged discs: Bulging or ruptured discs causing pain by pressing on nerves
These issues are common in both older adults and active individuals, and traditional care like physical therapy, pain medication, or even surgery doesn’t always solve the problem.
That’s where regenerative medicine comes in.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain?
Stem cell therapy involves using your body’s specialized cells—often mesenchymal stem cells from your bone marrow—to promote healing in damaged or inflamed tissues.
These stem cells are either:
Injected directly into the affected area (like the disc)
Delivered through intradiscal stem cell injections
Once there, they begin promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and secreting growth factors that help rebuild damaged structures in your spine.
Definition and Types of Stem Cells
Stem cells are remarkable, undifferentiated cells with the unique ability to develop into specialized cells. These versatile cells are found in various tissues throughout the body, including bone marrow, fat cells, and cord tissue. Stem cells are broadly categorized into two main types: embryonic and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells, also known as somatic stem cells, reside in adult tissues and have the capacity to differentiate into multiple cell types, making them invaluable in regenerative medicine. Their unique ability to transform into specialized cells is what makes them so promising for treating conditions like chronic back pain.
Mesenchymal and Cord Tissue-Derived Stem Cells
Among the various types of adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) stand out due to their versatility. MSCs can differentiate into a variety of cell types, including bone, cartilage, and muscle cells. These cells are commonly harvested from bone marrow, fat cells, and cord tissue. Cord tissue-derived MSCs, in particular, are obtained from the umbilical cord tissue and have shown great potential in regenerative medicine. They are known for their high proliferation rate and immunomodulatory properties, which enhance their ability to promote healing and reduce inflammation. This makes them a powerful tool in the arsenal of stem cell therapies aimed at treating back pain.
How Does It Work?
Let’s break down the typical treatment process:
Step 1: Consultation & Diagnosis
Your journey begins with a thorough consultation and diagnosis. This step involves a detailed medical history review, physical examination, and imaging studies to determine the root cause of your back pain.
Step 2: Cell Harvesting
Once a diagnosis is made, the next step is cell harvesting. This involves extracting bone marrow from your pelvic bone using a minimally invasive procedure. The bone marrow aspirate concentrate is rich in growth factor rich platelets, which play a crucial role in stimulating the body’s natural healing process.
Step 3: Cell Processing
The harvested cells are then processed in a specialized laboratory. This step involves isolating the stem cells and preparing them for injection. The goal is to concentrate the cells to maximize their healing potential.
Step 4: Injection
The processed stem cells are injected into the affected area under precise imaging guidance. This ensures that the cells are delivered exactly where they are needed to promote healing and tissue regeneration.
Step 4: Recovery & Follow-Up
After the injection, you will enter the recovery phase. Stem cell therapy is an innovative approach to pain management, offering a comprehensive solution for chronic pain by addressing the underlying causes rather than just the symptoms. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
By understanding each step of the process, you can be better prepared for what to expect and how to maximize the benefits of your treatment.
Step 1: Evaluation & Imaging
We assess your medical history, symptoms, and run diagnostic imaging to confirm the source of your pain—usually discogenic low back pain or degenerative disc disease.
Step 2: Cell Harvesting
Using a quick, in-office bone marrow aspiration, we collect stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow. These are concentrated into bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)—rich in growth factors and regenerative properties.
Step 3: Injection
The stem cells are carefully injected into the affected disc, targeting the root cause of your chronic back pain.
Step 4: Recovery & Follow-Up
As this is a minimally invasive procedure, recovery time is quick. Most patients resume light activity within a few days.
Growth Factors and Tissue Repair
Growth factors are essential proteins that play a pivotal role in tissue repair and regeneration. Secreted by stem cells, these proteins stimulate the growth and differentiation of cells, which is crucial for healing damaged tissues. Growth factors also promote the formation of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis, which is vital for supplying nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues. In the context of stem cell therapy, growth factors significantly enhance the healing process by promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation. This dual action not only helps in rebuilding damaged structures but also alleviates chronic pain, offering a comprehensive approach to back pain treatment.
Key Benefits of Using Stem Cells for Back Pain
✅ Targets the root cause
Rather than masking symptoms, this therapy addresses the source—damaged disc tissue or inflammation.
✅ Minimally invasive
No scalpels. No large incisions. No extended hospital stays.
✅ Uses your body’s own healing power
Stem cells injected into the spine kickstart the body’s natural healing process.
✅ Fewer adverse events
Compared to surgery, this therapy has a low risk of side effects and complications.
✅ Real pain relief
Many patients report reduced pain, increased mobility, and long-term improvements within a few weeks to a few months.
Clinical Trials and Success Rates
Numerous clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell therapy for back pain, and the results have been promising. Many patients have reported significant pain relief and an improved quality of life following treatment. These trials have shown that stem cell therapy can effectively reduce pain and improve function, particularly in conditions like degenerative disc disease and discogenic low back pain. However, it’s important to note that success rates can vary depending on the specific condition being treated, the type of stem cells used, and the individual patient’s response to treatment. While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects, the current evidence suggests that stem cell therapy is a viable and effective option for many patients suffering from chronic back pain.
What the Research Says
Studies and systematic reviews support the effectiveness of stem cell treatment for chronic low back pain:
Clinical trials show improvements in pain, disc height, and function.
Some trials report up to 70–80% success rates in reducing back pain caused by disc degeneration.
Many participants experienced better outcomes than with traditional pain treatment options.
A systematic review highlights the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for treating discogenic low back pain, summarizing existing literature and noting some observational data that supports these biologic therapies.
This isn’t a temporary fix. For many, it’s a pathway to living without chronic pain.
How It Compares to Other Treatments
Treatment Option
Invasiveness
Long-Term Relief
Healing Approach
Physical Therapy
Low
Moderate
Exercise-based
Pain Medication
Low
Temporary
Masks symptoms
Surgery
High
Variable
Alters anatomy
Stem Cell Therapy
Low
High
Repairs tissue
Unlike pain medication, which simply numbs the discomfort, or surgery, which alters your body’s structure, stem cell treatment works by rebuilding damaged tissue naturally.
Risks and Considerations
As with any medical treatment, stem cell therapy comes with its own set of risks and considerations. Potential risks include infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to the treatment. Additionally, since stem cell therapy is still a relatively new field, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects. It’s crucial for patients to have a thorough discussion with their doctor about the potential risks and benefits before undergoing stem cell therapy. This ensures that they are well-informed and can make the best decision for their health and well-being.
FAQs and Potential Risks
Q: What are the potential risks of stem cell therapy?A: The potential risks of stem cell therapy include infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to the treatment. It’s important to discuss these risks with your doctor.
Q: How long does it take to recover from stem cell therapy?A: Recovery time varies depending on the specific treatment and individual patient. However, most patients can return to their normal activities within a few days of treatment.
Q: Are stem cells safe?A: Stem cells are generally considered safe, but as with any medical treatment, there are potential risks and considerations. It’s important to consult with your doctor to understand these risks.
Q: Can stem cell therapy cure back pain?A: Stem cell therapy is not a cure for back pain, but it can provide significant pain relief and improved quality of life for many patients.
Q: How many stem cell injections are needed?A: The number of stem cell injections needed varies depending on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient’s response to treatment. Your doctor will provide a personalized treatment plan based on your needs.
Is It Right for You?
You may be a candidate if you:
Suffer from chronic back pain or discogenic pain
Have tried physical therapy or medication with little success
Want to avoid or delay surgery
Are interested in regenerative therapy that promotes tissue repair
Why Choose Stem Cells LA?
At Stem Cells LA, we specialize in regenerative stem cell therapy for chronic pain, including intradiscal injections for back pain. We tailor each treatment to your body, your pain, and your health goals.
With a focus on patient safety, research-backed methods, and world-class care, we’ve helped countless individuals regain comfort and function—without invasive surgery.
Let’s Relieve Your Pain the Smart Way
You’ve lived with pain long enough. If you’re looking for a safe, proven, and innovative approach to back pain relief, stem cell therapy could be the solution you’ve been waiting for.
👉 Call us at (310) 281-6160 or visit stemcells.la to schedule your consultation.
Let’s help your body heal, naturally.
