For many years, a number of ailments and injuries have frustrated scientists and medical experts due to their persistent symptoms and lack of an effective cure. There remain many chronic illnesses and injuries which compromise the quality of life in patients, causing ongoing discomfort and a poor response to conventional therapies. 

Regenerative medicine is a promising field which aims to tackle some of the most challenging conditions patients face today. From neurodegenerative and autoimmune conditions to orthopedics and general wellness, the potential applications for regenerative medicine are virtually endless. Fortunately, therapies are already available for many conditions. Find out more about this new and impressive age of medicine below.

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine combines the fields of science and medicine to find solutions for repairing, replacing, and/or regenerating tissue. It encompasses a cellular process which prompts the development of new, healthy tissue while preventing further progression or damage. Regenerative medicine heals and replaces tissue damaged by age, disease, or trauma. It can address both chronic illnesses and acute injuries, and is being used for conditions ranging from multiple sclerosis (MS) to spinal cord injuries.

Examples of Regenerative Medicine: The Future of Medicine is Already Here

Two main examples of regenerative medicine are stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. With stem cell therapy, a patient receives an injection of stem cells at the site of the compromised tissue. These cells serve as the body’s natural healing mechanisms, and can differentiate into new cell types with the added abilities of self-renewal and healing. They have anti-inflammatory properties which can further help promote healing in damaged tissues.

PRP, on the other hand, consists of concentrated platelets and proteins which have been isolated from a patient’s blood. This isolation amplifies their growth factors as well as the healing potential, supporting healthy development at the cellular level.

Regenerative medicine has the potential to be applied all across the medical fields. Already today, stem cell therapies are being used to improve symptoms in neurodegenerative conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MS, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and COPD. Both PRP and stem cell therapies, and sometimes a combination of the two, are also being used to address common yet frustrating issues such as musculoskeletal and joint pain. Finally, there are even general wellness applications for stem cell therapy, such as age management treatments, facials, and hair loss. The treatments are especially well-suited for patients who have persistent symptoms that have not responded well to conventional therapies in the past but are seeking ways to better manage their conditions. 

This post was written by Becky Palmer, a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we offer Regenerative Medicine, also known as Stem Cell Therapy in Tampa, this therapy naturally acts to rebuild and regenerate neural tissues that are lost from the progression of all different types of diseases.