PRP, MSC & BMAC: How Regenerative Medicine Can Be Pain Relieving And Life-Changing

What Is Regenerative Medicine?

The body has remarkable growth and healing abilities, and the medical research community continually looks for ways to tap into that power. Breakthroughs have brought about the rise of regenerative medicine. This relatively new field seeks to use the body’s healing factors to heal, replace, or regenerate new cells, tissue, or even organs. In other words, doctors take growth factors from one body part to another. That means doctors can provide non-surgical treatment to injuries, diseases, and even some disabilities at a cellular level. Some more popular and accessible forms of treatment include platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC).

Understanding platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP therapy uses injections containing a concentration of the patient’s platelets to accelerate healing. This therapy benefits injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints. Platelets are cells that are vital in healing wounds, forming blood clots to stop bleeding and support cell growth. These platelets are separated from a blood sample and combined with plasma. When high concentrations of platelets are injected into inflamed or damaged areas, the platelets encourage the development of new tissue. Therefore, PRP promotes overall cellular healing. Studies show that PRP has a healing effect on sports injuries that do not respond to treatment. Doctors have even been using PRP to treat various conditions such as hair loss, arthritis, and cosmetic concerns.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)

These cells are the body’s baseline, multipotent stem cells. All cells start at this point, dividing and transforming into different cell types such as bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat. MSCs can also secrete numerous molecules that stimulate recovery, inhibit inflammation, and alter or regulate immune functions. Because of these properties, MSCs are the most frequently used cell type in regenerative medicine today. MSCs may help treat neurological disorders, cardiac ischemia, diabetes, and bone and cartilage diseases. In addition, MSCs show excellent potential in relieving back pain, muscle pain, osteoarthritis, and other injuries.

Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)

BMAC is another type of regenerative therapy. As with other regenerative therapies, BMAC involves transferring healing properties from one part of the body to another. The bone marrow produces blood components and contains the body’s most potent stem cells. A doctor will extract bone marrow concentrate with a needle, usually from a large bone like the pelvic bone. The aspirate is then processed and transferred to an injury site. BMAC therapy is generally recommended as a treatment for bone fractures, bone death, and osteoarthritis in joints. Patients will also see an improvement in wound healing and cartilage function.

Enjoy a pain-free life

Regenerative medicine is bringing groundbreaking advances in managing pain and treating chronic conditions. With advanced therapies such as PRP, MSC, and BMAC, patients are relieved of pain faster, with a reduced need for painkillers. In some cases, these therapies regenerate tissue over time, helping patients to avoid surgery. The regenerative medicine field is still ongoing, but patients from all walks of life are seeing fantastic, pain-free benefits.