Stem cells used to treat chronic back pain

by KING 5 HealthLink

KING5.com

Posted on September 18, 2013 at 1:47 PM

Updated today at 6:06 PM

One-in-three people in the U.S. suffers from chronic pain. It affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Non-invasive treatments in the past have been limited, but now stem cells could hold the key to the future of pain management.

Eight out of ten of us have back pain at some time in our lives---usually it's not a serious problem. But when it is, you can have a difficult time getting relief. Now researchers say stem cells could hold the key.

Bobby Sydnor has something to sing about. He may have found the answer to his debilitating pain from a motorcycle accident 40 years ago that nearly crushed his spine.

"It's just excruciating; it is, he said. I remember sometimes crawling to the bathroom."

But now thanks to a new therapy, he's finally getting some relief without surgery. Hes taking part in a clinical trial that's using stem cells to regenerate discs in the spine.

"It really has the potential to change the disease state, instead of just treating the symptoms," said Dr. Tory McJunkin, a principal investigator in the study. They have the ability to change and regrow that tissue until its normal tissue.

Originally posted here:
Stem cells used to treat chronic back pain