The field of regenerative medicine has grown significantly over the last several years. In fact, the industry is now worth more than $4.1 billion.
Lots of people have started turning to regenerative therapies to help them treat a wide range of ailments. Have you been considering taking the plunge yourself?
If you’re interested in working with a regenerative healthcare specialist but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, keep reading.
Explained below are all the basics of this type of medicine, as well as information on how it can benefit you.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
This is a relatively new field of medicine.
Physicians and scientists who study it focus on the creation of living and functional tissues that can repair or replace tissues that have been damaged in some way.
The goal for many people who work in this field is to stimulate organs that were once considered irreparable so they can heal themselves and create new, functional organs in a laboratory setting.
Types of Regenerative Healthcare Treatments
There are several different types of regenerative healthcare treatments. The following are some of the most well-known ways that people are practicing this type of medicine:
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells have the potential to change their makeup and become the cells needed to make up different types of body tissues.
Stem cells are found in human embryos, amniotic membranes, and in the blood and bone marrow. Some cells can also be modified with the injection of specific molecules or genes to become stem cells.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Platelet-rich plasma (or PRP) therapy involves the extraction and reinjection of human plasma. Another option is Platelet-rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM), which improve problems such as wrinkles, photodamage, texture, pore size, acne scars and stretch marks, and to address the decreasing volume that is a part of normal aging. Here a look at PRFM vs PRP.
A physician extracts blood from the body, then spins it in a centrifuge to get a high concentration of plasma rich in platelets and growth factors. They then reinject this material into the body to expedite the healing process.
Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering involves the formation of viable human tissue in a laboratory.
Scientists are working hard to develop artificial organs that function just as well as natural human organs. The goal is for these organs to help those who need transplants and don’t have the time to wait for organs to become available.
Benefits of Regenerative Treatments
At this point, you might be wondering why someone might want to pursue regenerative healthcare treatments over other types of treatments. There are actually quite a few benefits that these treatments have to offer, including the following:
Faster Healing and Recovery
Many people find that, when they utilize regenerative treatments, their injuries heal much faster than they would have using other treatments. The recovery process, in general, tends to go by more smoothly and without complications as well.
Reduced Pain
It’s common for people to experience reductions in pain after undergoing regenerative treatments, too. This has to do, in part, with the fact that the healing process is expedited.
Improved Function
Not only do the tissues heal faster after receiving regenerative treatment, but they often seem to function better, too.
With other treatments, you may experience lingering pain or dysfunction even years later. That’s often not the case with regenerative therapies, though.
Reduced Risk of Future Complications
There’s also less of a chance that you’ll experience complications in the future.
This is because the healing process that you go through after undergoing regenerative treatments helps to strengthen the tissues and leaves them in better condition than they were in before.
Who Can Use Regenerative Medicine?
Many different types of patients can benefit from regenerative therapies. Some are better suited for these treatments than others, though.
People who meet the following criteria are considered to be ideal regenerative treatment candidates:
- Those with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis
- Those with chronic tendinitis
- Those dealing with damaged musculoskeletal tissues (e.g., the rotator cuff)
- Those with partially torn tendons
- Those suffering from chronic back pain
- Those with degenerative disc diseases
There is some evidence to suggest that regenerative medicine can benefit those who are dealing with severe burns, as well as cancer patients and those who need organ transplants. More research is needed into the use of regenerative treatments for these conditions, though.
How to Find a Regenerative Healthcare Specialist
If you can check the boxes listed above, you are likely a good candidate for regenerative treatments. In order to experience the benefits of these treatments, though, you need to ensure you’re working with a qualified regenerative healthcare specialist.
Here are some tips to help you find such a person:
Consider Their Training
First, do some research to find out what kind of training the physician has. They ought to have undergone specific continuing education courses in order to learn the ins and outs of the regenerative therapies they offer in their clinic.
Ask About Their Experience
Find out how much experience they have with these therapies, too.
Have they just started offering and performing them? Or, have they spent years developing their techniques and mastering this specific type of medicine?
As a general rule, the more experience they have in the field, the better off you’ll be.
Read Patient Reviews
It’s always a good idea to check online and read patient reviews before you make a decision, too.
Consider asking the doctor for references as well. They ought to have plenty of satisfied patients who are willing to vouch for their treatment and techniques.
Schedule a Consultation
Be sure to schedule a consultation before you decide to work with a particular doctor long-term. This will help you get a better sense of how they operate and whether you get along well with them.
You can also click here for more information on what to look for in a regenerative healthcare specialist.
Try Regenerative Medicine Today
Now that you know more about it, are you interested in giving regenerative medicine a try?
This type of treatment has a lot of potential benefits, especially to individuals dealing with severe osteopathic injuries.
If you’re ready to work with a regenerative healthcare specialist, be sure to keep the tips listed above in mind. They’ll help you ensure you’re working with a reputable individual.
Don’t forget to visit the Lifestyle section of our site, too, for more health and wellness-related content.
