Importance of Stem Cells

Hello and Welcome Back!
 
I thought I would use this blog to discuss Stem Cells- what they are, how they work and if they might be something that could help you.
 
Stem cells are specialized human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types from muscle cells to brain cells. They have the ability to repair damaged tissues, and this is what most people who have damaged tissues are interested in.
 
Keep in mind we all have stem cells in our bodies, so it’s not like we don’t have them and now we are having them injected into injured tissue. Simply put, stem cells are kind of like a universal cell that all cells start out as and as the cell grows and matures, it specializes in a specific type of cell. So all cells, for the most part, start out from a stem cell and then specialize as they mature. Again, this is very simply put.
 
For this blog, there are basically 3 types of Stem Cell sources:
 
1. Growth Factor Stem Cells
a. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
b. Amniotic
2. Cellular Mediator Stem Cells- Mesenchymal Stem Cells
3. Tissue Engineering Stem Cells
 
Growth factors are the most common. Platelet Rich Plasma is where blood is drawn from your body, and spun down in a centrifuge so the platelets separate from the blood. These are then injected into the injured joint. When this occurs, the cells are destroyed, but they release their growth factor.
 
Amniotic Growth Factor comes from umbilical cords and placentas after a baby is born. These tissues are typically discarded after birth. Amniotic growth factors do not come directly from babies or embryos. No babies are harmed or killed. This was a misconception I had originally, and I was glad to learn that I was wrong.
 
And now stay tuned for the rest of the story……..