Stem cells have tremendous promise to help us understand and treat a range of diseases, injuries and other health-related conditions. At Goodyear Chiropractic Health Center, we know the potential of Stem Cell therapy is endless.
What are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are the cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions, in the body or a laboratory, stem cells can divide to form more cells, called daughter cells.
These daughter cells either become new stem cells (self-renewal) or become specialized cells (differentiation) with a more specific function, such as blood cells, brain cells, heart muscle cells or bone cells. No other cell in the body has the natural ability to generate new cell types.
The Potential of Stem Cells
Researchers and doctors hope stem cell studies can help:
- Increase understanding of how diseases occur. By watching stem cells mature into cells in bones, heart muscle, nerves, and other organs and tissue, researchers and doctors may develop a better understanding of how diseases and conditions develop.
- Generate healthy cells to replace diseased cells (regenerative medicine). Stem cells can be guided to become specific cells that can be used to regenerate and repair diseased or damaged tissues in people.
People who might benefit from stem cell therapies include those with spinal cord injuries, type 1 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, burns, cancer and osteoarthritis.
- Test new drugs for safety and effectiveness. Before using investigational drugs on people, researchers can use some types of stem cells to test the drugs for safety and quality.
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine, promotes the repair response of disease, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells.
Bone marrow transplant is the most widely used stem-cell therapy, but some therapies derived from umbilical cord blood are also in use. Research is also underway to develop stem-cell treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, among others.
There are few factors that exempt a candidate from stem cell therapy, but each case is unique, so there are not always strict rules. Candidates for stem cell treatment come from all different walks of life.
This History of Stem Cells
Doctors have performed stem cell transplants, also known as bone marrow transplants, for decades. In stem cell transplants, stem cells replace cells damaged by chemotherapy or disease or serve as a way for the donor’s immune system to fight some types of cancer and blood-related diseases, such as leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma and multiple myeloma. Stem Cell Therapy can also be seen in the use of stem cells for tissue grafts to treat diseases or injury to the bone, skin and surface of the eye.
Currently, researchers are testing adult stem cells to treat other conditions, including a number of degenerative diseases such as heart failure.
At Goodyear Chiropractic Health Center, we actually offer Stem Cell Therapy to our patients. Interested in learning more? Please contact us today!