How Long Do Stem Cell Injections Take To Work? When To Consider MSC Therapy

Can Your Body Heal Itself?

The body has an uncanny ability to heal broken bones, tissue, and even organs. First, platelets help with inflammation and blood clotting. White blood cells and mucus remove dead cells and foreign materials. Then the body produces more stem cells. These base cells replicate into specific cells which help generate new tissue. Sometimes, this happens slower than needed, but scientists have been able to leverage part of the process. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy, or stem cell injections, are quickly becoming part of medical treatment. This therapy maximizes the body’s ability to self-heal.

What is stem cell therapy?

The body’s cells all start from stem cells. Because these are multipotent, stem cells can become the cell types needed for a particular body part. For example, new cells are required for healing when a body part is damaged or diseased. These cells come from the available stem cells in the body. MSC therapy extracts stem cells from one body part for use in another. The possibility of healing increases by populating that body part with more stem cells.

MSC therapy applications

The initial uses for stem cells began with replacing damaged cells after chemotherapy. Over time, doctors began to use stem cell injections for tissue regeneration. Common examples include ligament tears, fractures, back pain, and chronic conditions like arthritis. The therapeutic application of MSC has gone beyond physical injuries to autoimmune disorders and even cancers.

The MSC process

MSC therapy happens over several short, non-invasive sessions. First, the medical team will extract stem cells from the bone marrow. A long needle removes the cells from a large bone, like the hip. The cells are processed in a laboratory and injected into the problem area. The doctor may use imaging to help guide the needle in the correct location. The therapy will start by reducing pain and inflammation. Over time, MSC therapy may help regenerate new tissue and accelerate healing.

How long does it take to work?

Some patients begin to feel relief and notice the effects of stem cell injections in as little as 2 weeks. However, most cases take about 6-12 weeks to experience full comfort and progress in healing. Different factors will affect the efficacy of MSC therapy. The location of the injury, the severity of the injury, and patient health all play a role. Using stem cell therapies as a part of a holistic treatment plan also improves the effectiveness rate. The patient must use the therapy consistently or as advised by a doctor for the best results.

Time to consider MSC therapy

Patients looking for a natural way to repair musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, or chronic pain should consider stem cells. MSC therapy leverages the body’s healing abilities, reducing the need for surgery. However, despite the effectiveness of treatment, stem cell injections need a few weeks to take effect.