Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions: Naturopathic Approach
by Sanjay Trivedi, M.D.
There is an emerging approach in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain by harvesting/collection and isolation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for reinjection into the degenerated/damaged joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
MSCs are found throughout the body in many tissue types but are particularly abundant and can easily be harvested from medullary cavity of flat bones and also the adipose (fat) tissue. The MSCs can then be concentrated from the bone marrow with a process called centrifugation. For harvesting from adipose (fat), tissue a little more effort is needed with a multi-step process of incubation/enzymatic digestion with collagenase followed by by centrifugation and filtration.
When injected into the site which is damaged, MSCs release a whole spectrum of immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory factors that trigger the regeneration and the healing of connective tissue via the activation of the stem cells present in the site.
As the evidence comes in and grows, the site centered injection of the autologous stem cells has shown promise in the treatment in musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, sports/trauma injury, low back pain, neck pain with or without headaches.
The injection of autologous stem cells for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain is viewed as the natural evolution of prolotherapy and its mode of action by triggering the body’s own healing response.
Other factors working in conjunction with the Stem Cell therapy:
1. Nutrition: A diet consisting of whole foods, optimal proteins, healthy fats, nutrient vegetables and leafy greens.
2. Exercise: Optimizes the hormone levels of human growth hormone, thyroid hormone and testosterone, and promotes collagen synthesis.
3. Nutritional / Botanical Supplements: Vitamin A,B,C,D,E,K, Biotin and PABA are critical for proper Stem cell function. Minerals like, Copper, Magnesium, Iron, Selenium and Zinc have been shown to be vital for Stem cell function. Many essential amino acids are vital for the Stem cell metabolism and function.
4. Based on the above data, the reasonable oral supplement regimen for patients who are undergoing Stem cell therapy should include essential vitamins and minerals– in multiproduct formula ideally, an essential fatty acid, some form of algae and alpha-lipoic acid.
5. Intravenous micronutrient therapy is a novel method to administer relatively large doses of micronutrients via the intravenous route ( IVMT )
before and during Stem cell therapy. IVMT allows to achieve serum concentrations far beyond what GI absorption would allow, hence better replenishing of depleted cells.
These above-mentioned factors will optimize the overall human organism in order to optimize Stem cell therapy.
References:
1. Matthew B Murphy, Kathryn Moncivais, and Arnold I Caplan, “Mesenchymal stem cells: environmentally responsive therapeutics for regenerative medicine,” PMC US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Exp Mol Med. 2013 Nov; 45(11): e54.
Published online 2013 Nov 15. doi: 10.1038/emm.2013.94; last accessed 6/13/2018
2. Michalek J. Moster R., Lukac L. et al. “Autologous Adipose Tissue-derived Stromal Vascular Fraction Cells Application in Patients with Osteoarthritis.”
Sanjay Trivedi, M.D. received training in general surgery from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, and studied physical medicine and rehabilitation at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center and David Minkin Rehabilitation Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Trivedi’s expertise is in the fields of acute and chronic spinal pain management, acute and chronic pharmaceutical pain management, musculoskeletal and joint pain management, and personal injury rehabilitation and care.