Stem Cell Therapies and Chiropractic: What’s the Hype?
INNOVATION
Brent Detelich
DC
In the past 10 years, there has been an eruption of reports on the efficiency of human stem cells and the ability to isolate them from a variety of sources, including but not limited to embryonic, amniotic, and adult tissues.
Regenerative medicine is moving from a stage of infancy to literally being up and running. Although there is still much to leam, the truth is that tens of thousands of patients have experienced the positive effects of regeneration of joints and severe health conditions because of the astounding healing properties of stem cells and other healing factors. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can be found in various tissues and may contribute to tissue repair in addition to a host of other healing proteins, progenitor cells, and homing cells.
In the United States, mesenchymal stem cells derived from adults continue to emerge in medical practices for the clinical application of treating joints, but it is also well known that there are some very serious drawbacks because of US regulations. These include the fact that you are not allowed to grow adult stem cells, and that, as you get older, the amount that you have does decrease, especially when derived ffom bone marrow. Secondly, you are not allowed to add anything to the stem cells, and just like a seed going in a garden that would require dirt, water, and nutrients to grow, stem cells need their own “nutrients.” The nutrients necessary for joint regeneration would include more than 3,000 healing proteins, messenger RNA, cytokines, and exosomes.
When it comes to joint regeneration, many patients opt to use an allograft, which means it came from another person. The main reason patients make the allograft choice is because:
1. It does not require surgery, so it does not have those associated complications.
2. Allograft cells are young and vibrant and readily reproduce, unlike older adult stem cells.
3. Most patients seeking cellular regenerative treatments are elderly and not only have a decrease in the number of available stem cells, but also their old cells express senescence, which means that they are “lazy” and do not readily replicate beyond a short length of time.
There are thr ee major choices when it comes to an allograft product. Allograft, for our purposes, refers to products that are derived from the placenta and or the umbilical cord.
1.Amniotic fluid (AF) usually contains live mesenchymal stem cells, but the growth factors it contains will only
function from several hours to two days (its half-life). There is likely to be trace amounts of blood in this product, which could cause a graft versus host reaction. It is vital that the practitioner has a certified letter from the manufacturer that its AF is free of blood contaminants.
2. Amniotic tissue (AT) is loaded with growth factors, including more than 3,000 proteins that promote softtissue growth and are regenerative in nature. AT also contains a high volume of cytokines, which are natural anti-inflammatory agents. AT contains messenger RNA and hyaluronic acid, a lubricant for cartilage that also promotes new cartilage growth. AT should be certified by the manufacturer to not contain any traces of blood from the donor as well as live MSC that culture and grow.
3. Cord Blood (CB) can be purchased in various live stem cell counts that range from 10 to 50 million per cc with 1 to 3% of those being live nucleated mesenchymal stem cells. All of these cells have the potential to secrete clinically significant growth, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory factors. CB also contains a very high volume of healing proteins, cytokines, and exosomes. It is important that the CB company demonstrates that it does not contain any blood contaminants.
There has been a real buzz about stem cell therapies lately across the world as well as in the US, and chiropractors are getting involved because there have been tremendous outcomes from stem cell treatments. So, let’s explore:
1. How can/do these protocols fit into chiropractic?
2. What are the basics of stem cell therapies in the US today?
3. What are the benefits of stem cell treatments?
I am a chiropractor. Aren’t stem cells far outside my realm?
Yes and no. If you consider yourself a “straight” chiropractor who only offers spinal adjustments and nothing else, then, yes, stem cell therapy is outside your realm and you don’t need to read any further. Some DCs prefer to only deal with spinal adjustments, and there is nothing wrong with that whatsoever; chiropractors are a gift to the world.
However, utilizing the basic building block of the body that must be present in order for a properly functioning nervous system to be able to do its job. In fact, if your body stopped replicating stem cells, you would literally die within days. This is why chiropractic colleges are looking to add cellular regenerative departments to their curriculums. Even those known for being “straight” now offer courses on nutrition, lasers, and, yes, stem cell therapies. The reason? It has become impossible to deny the health benefits these cellular regenerative therapies provide, and while they are outside the realm of just spinal adjustments, they still possess the “soul of chiropractic.” Which is what? “Let the body heal itself, and without chemical drags and surgeries, when they can be avoided.” Stem cell therapy maintains that philosophy, which is one reason why chiropractors are increasingly interested in offering these protocols, even though an MD is needed to offer it.
Yes, an MD or RN are needed to provide stem cell treatments, but that in no way means it is allopathic health care. Yes, needles are used (which is why you need an MD or RN on site), but no chemical drags or major surgeries are involved. In fact, with allograft options, there is a very simple and virtually painless one-time injection into the affected joint, so it pretty much adheres to the motto of “body heal thyself.” If anything, stem cells are kind of a “doubling down” on that old adage. In a way, stem cell therapies are the new-age champion of “body heal thyself.”
Finally, there is no insurance involved, which means you don’t need to credential your clinic as a medical office or change your current DC practice. You simply start a separate and distinct business that can be up and running for less than $4,000. Yes, a new era is upon us.
Dr. BrentDetelich, president of Stem Ce//Institute of America (www. americanstem. com), is a 1993 graduate of Parker College of Chiropractic and a second generation chiropractor. His mission has always been to assist chiropractors to build thriving practices that can serve more patients while paying the chiropractor fairly for their superb work. You can reach The Stem Cell Institute ofAmerican at 1-800-391-6040.
