Ep. 12: Stem Cell Therapy Revealed

Hey everyone, Dr. Jay Bowen here, and welcome back to the NJ Regenerative channel! Over the last few weeks, my team and I have been shedding some light on various regenerative procedures. Last week, I did a video on the definition of stem cells along with their history and what FDA approval for stem cells looks like. 

Today in part two, I want to share my own opinions on stem cells as well as answer YOUR questions. If you’ve been enjoying this series so far, be sure to like this video and subscribe to our channel! It’s gonna be a great video, so let’s get rolling. 

Let’s start with a positive. I love stem cells and am so excited about what the future of medicine looks like as we learn more about them. So, let’s cover the good – why stem cells are generating so much excitement. Stem cells have this incredible ability to transform into a wide variety of cell types. Muscle cells, nerve cells, cartilage—you name it! This flexibility opens up a world of possibilities for repairing damaged tissues, promoting healing, and even reversing the effects of aging or chronic injuries. But it’s important to note that stem cells don’t exactly work the way many people imagine. Dr. Arnold Caplan,a leading figure in stem cell research, was the one who originally coined the term ‘Mesenchymal Stem Cells’ (MSCs).

However, as the science evolved, he recognized that the name didn’t fully capture what these cells actually do in the body. Rather than directly turning into new tissue, MSCs primarily act by sending out signals to the surrounding cells and tissues. These signals help to reduce inflammation, stimulate tissue repair, and create an environment that promotes healing. Because of this, Dr. Caplan suggested renaming them ‘Medicinal Signaling Cells’ to reflect their true role. So, while the idea of stem cells morphing into any cell type is exciting, their real power lies in their ability to direct and support the body’s natural healing processes.

Stem cells have shown a lot of promise in treating conditions like arthritis, tendon injuries, and even heart disease. Clinical studies are exploring their potential in neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries, too. These are groundbreaking developments that could change how we approach medicine entirely.  

Another huge plus? Stem cells are generally minimally invasive. They can be harvested from the patient’s own body—usually from fat tissue or bone marrow—and then reintroduced into the areas that need healing. This reduces the risk of rejection, since the body is less likely to react negatively to its own cells.  The good news is many orthopedic issues can be treated without stem cells and even the other less costly regenerative treatments such as PRP, BMAC, or MFAT.  If you want to know more about these treatments you can watch my other videos here on YouTube. 

I’ve had quite a few patients who’ve tried stem cell treatments and experienced incredible results—less pain, better function, and an improved quality of life. But here’s the problem: many people visit bad clinics and are told they’re getting stem cell therapy when, in reality, they aren’t receiving any actual stem cells. It’s crucial to ask the right questions and get all the details before undergoing a procedure. Unfortunately, this kind of misinformation gives the field a bad reputation. But when stem cells are done right, the results can be life-changing!

One of our Instagram followers, @whitecoat_fit, asked,’Do you do stem cell treatments at NJRI?’ The short answer is YES, but we don’t do it all that often. Why? Because it’s a complex and expensive process that most patients don’t actually need. Many issues can be treated with alternatives like PRP, BMAC, or MFAT.  Click HERE (point towards hip poster) to watch my videos on these treatments. These are powerful options that help harness your body’s natural ability to heal without going straight to stem cells.

Now, if we’re already performing a fat aspiration for MFAT, we can take additional fat to grow and store your stem cells for future use. This way, if you ever need them, they’re ready to go, and you avoid another fat draw. And I know some people are eager to lose fat the ‘easy way,’ but that’s a whole different topic! The downside is that it takes around two months to process the cells and have them ready.

It’s also important to note that there’s no FDA-approved way to use your stem cells for orthopedic issues right now. So, the cells may sit in a lab but you could never get the chance to legally use them. HOWEVER, thanks to the Right to Try Act, signed in 2017, we can use your stem cells if the process is done correctly).

So while it’s not common, stem cell therapy is an option we offer when it’s the best solution for a patient. Next week, I’ll be doing a video on the Right to Try Act, so if you want to know more be sure to tune in. 

Now, for the not-so-good.

While stem cells offer a lot of potential, they are not a guaranteed solution for everyone. The biggest challenge is that the results can be inconsistent. Some patients experience significant improvement, while others see little to no benefit. Why the difference? We’re still figuring that out and as with PRP, BMAC, MFAT and other novel treatments DataBiologics collection of these results will help direct your personalized medicine in the future. 

Another issue is that stem cells, while minimally invasive, still carry some risks. There can be complications like infection, nerve damage, or bleeding at the injection site, especially if the procedure isn’t performed by experienced hands. Most of the really bad outcomes were due to the inappropriate performance of the procedure by individuals who should not have been performing it in the first place. A stem cell or regenerative treatment should be an extension of physician’s practice who understands and manages all aspects of that disease with it being just another option when simpler, cheaper, and less risky treatments have failed. 

However, there are rare reports of abnormal tissue growth after stem cell treatments, but these were related to a variety of factors that in safe clinics are well controlled. In one case, a patient had abnormal tissue growth after traveling to multiple countries, having multiple procedures with different cell processing or types and maybe without even telling the providers their entire history. Obviously, this was a recipe for disaster. 

Then there’s the question of cost. Stem cell therapy can be expensive, and many insurance companies don’t cover these treatments because they’re still considered experimental for orthopedic issues. This puts it out of reach for many people who could potentially benefit.  If you’re concerned about cost, give my office a call so we can discuss pricing options for you. One of my goals is to keep all of my procedures affordable.

So, what’s the real truth about stem cells? Well, it’s complicated. The truth is, stem cells are an exciting area of medicine, but we’re still learning a lot about how to best use them. While early results are promising, more research is needed to truly understand who benefits most, what conditions they work best for, and what the long-term effects might be.  

Not all stem cell treatments are created equal, either. There are different types of stem cells—like embryonic, adult, and induced pluripotent stem cells—and they each have their own pros and cons. Here at Njregenerative, we focus on adult stem cells derived from YOUR OWN fat or bone marrow because they have a safer, more established track record. You also need to be cautious about where you go for stem cell treatments. Unfortunately, the hype around stem cells has led to clinics popping up that offer unproven, unregulated therapies. Some of these places make bold claims that just don’t have the science to back them up. So, if you’re considering stem cell therapy, make sure you’re working with a reputable clinic that’s grounded in research and ethics, like my team here at New Jersey Regenerative.

At the end of the day, stem cells aren’t magic, but they are a powerful tool in our regenerative medicine toolkit. And with the right patient, the right condition, and the right approach, stem cells can make a big difference. One of our followers asked me where I see stem cell regenerative medicine being ten years from now. That depends on a lot of factors with most being governmental regulations and road blocks, cost, and data. Stem cell technology is labeled “destructive technology” and the establishment does not like change.  If we truly want to advance this treatment, we need partners and demands to collect data in the right way to support personalized and precision medicine, not just talk. Insurance companies manage risk and if we can demonstrate a regenerative treatment will reduce cost for them, they will likely cover it. While we wait for stem cells and other regenerative techniques to be approved, please remember your health starts with your beliefs and actions.  Get clean air, clean water, movement/exercise, manage your stress, get good sleep, and nutrient dense unprocessed foods without herbicides and pesticides.  Sounds easy, but the basics are not emphasized in the US healthcare system and it HARD in our current times.  Take one step at a time toward unleashing your body’s intrinsic ability to heal itself.

So, there you have it—the good, the bad, and the truth about stem cells. I hope this helped clear up some of the mystery and gave you a better idea of whether stem cells might be a good option for you. If you left us a question across our socials, my hope is that we were able to answer it for you! If you still have questions, leave them in the comments below or feel free to call our office. 

This week, we will be releasing the dates for our upcoming YouTube live with DATA BIOLOGICS CEO Leah Braddel. So, if you don’t follow us already make sure to connect with us on TikTok, X, Instagram, and Facebook. If you found this video helpful, make sure to hit that like button, and don’t forget to subscribe for more content on regenerative medicine. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!