Does Stem Cell Therapy Work for Rotator Cuff Injuries?

by Stemedix | Jan 25, 2021 | Uncategorized

The rotator cuff is a complex network of muscles and tendons which stabilize the shoulder joint. As its name suggests, it allows you to rotate and raise the shoulder and is thus critical to the functionality of your arm. Injuries to the rotator cuff can cause pain and affect your daily life, and if they’re bad enough, may require surgery. Today, many are exploring another alternative to surgery: stem cell therapy for rotator cuff tear.

A Closer Look at Rotator Cuff Injuries

The rotator cuff can experience a partial tear or a complete tear. A partial tear occurs when the muscles that make up the cuff fray become torn, but if the damage extends through the muscle, the tear is considered complete. The tendon could pull away from the bone if left unaddressed.

Surprisingly, you won’t always experience pain with a rotator cuff tear. In fact, in 65% of cases, rotator cuff tears are considered asymptomatic. With that being said, there are still signs outside of discomfort that could indicate this shoulder problem, including:

• Weakness throughout the shoulder or arm
• Popping sounds or other unusual noises when moving your shoulder
• Diminished ability lifting or using your arm (to wash your hair, for instance)
• Pain only upon moving your arm a certain way or while lying on it
• Difficulty reaching certain directions, such as up, out to the side, or behind you

Causes of Rotator Cuff Injuries

Rotator cuff tears are fairly common. An estimated two million people visit the doctor for this injury each year, though the prevalence could be much higher due to tears that go unnoticed. 

Many circumstances could lead to a tear, with the most common being:

• Repetitive use due to the nature of your work, such as scanning groceries, painting windows, or cleaning
• Sports, such as baseball, tennis, or football
• Wear and tear on the muscles that come with aging
• Heavy lifting
• Injury to the arm

Rotator Cuff Injury Treatment

Rotator cuff injuries must first be accurately diagnosed before you can explore treatment options. Your doctor may use an x-ray or MRI to identify the injury. From there, they may recommend traditional treatments such as physical therapy or stem cell for rotator cuff tear. Surgery could also be an option depending on the severity of your tear, but understandably, many patients wish to avoid invasive procedures.

Some patients may be good candidates for stem cell therapy. Stem cell for rotator cuff tear treatment is much less invasive than surgery, and instead uses natural healing agents (stem cells) to repair tissue, accelerate healing, and combat inflammation. The cells can even regenerate damaged tissue, allowing your shoulder to heal itself naturally. Studies for this treatment have shown promising results, such as an increase in biomechanical strength and reduced inflammation. Thus, for patients whose rotator cuff injury has begun to affect their daily lives but surgery is undesirable, stem cell therapy is a treatment option worth considering. Contact a care coordinator today!

Book Your Appointment

Rotator cuff injuries can cause pain, limited range of motion, and difficulty performing daily activities. At Stemedix, we harness the power of regenerative medicine to address the underlying causes of your injury and support the regeneration of damaged tissues.

Our stem cell therapy for rotator cuff injuries involves using mesenchymal stem cells, which have the remarkable ability to differentiate into various cell types and promote tissue repair. Schedule a consultation today!

A Beginner’s Guide to the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) Diet

by Stemedix | Jan 18, 2021 | Uncategorized

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system goes after healthy tissue because they can’t tell the difference between normal cells and foreign invaders. For people with these conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, dietary modifications may ease symptoms including inflammation. Here is a quick look at the Autoimmune Protocol Diet.

Research shows that damage to the intestinal lining, also known as the “gut barrier,” may be triggered by certain foods. When intestinal permeability increases, it could trigger certain autoimmune conditions. While there is no concrete evidence that links “leaky gut” with autoimmune diseases, experts do believe intestinal health has strong ties to the widespread inflammation seen in such conditions.

In a normal intestinal tract, there’s low permeability, meaning waste won’t leak and enter the bloodstream. On the other hand, when the gut is more permeable, foreign particles may exit the tract and entire the bloodstream, potentially causing inflammation. Certain foods have been shown to increase the intestines’ level of permeability. Research also indicates that people with certain autoimmune conditions can decrease inflammation and illness symptoms through an autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet.

Here’s what you should know about the AIP diet before talking to your rheumatologist or other specialists. 

What Is the Autoimmune Protocol Diet?

The AIP diet is similar to the paleo diet, in which individuals follow the eating habits of our ancestors, who were hunter-gatherers. It has two stages: elimination and reintroduction. 

During elimination, foods believed to contribute to gut inflammation are eliminated, including legumes, nuts, grains, seeds, dairy, and nightshade vegetables. All foods with added sugars, as well as alcohol, coffee, oils, and tobacco are eliminated as well. Individuals are also advised to avoid certain medications, including NSAIDs. While most people following the diet follow elimination for 30 to 90 days, some report improvements within three weeks.

After, if you see improvements in your symptoms, you can then gradually reintroduce items into your diet. The idea is to only have foods that don’t aggravate symptoms while continuing to avoid those that do. For this reason, foods must be reincorporated one at a time over a five- to seven-day period before another is reintroduced. And, since food tolerances can change over time, many people revisit the elimination diet again in the future.

What Foods Can You Eat with the AIP Diet?

The autoimmune diet is restrictive, but remember that the goal is to identify any and all foods that could be triggering symptoms. For the best results, you should avoid all grains, legumes, dairy and milk products, nightshade vegetables, nuts and seeds, and their products, and processed foods. With that in mind, here’s what you can still have during the elimination phase:

• Vegetables (except for nightshade vegetables, including tomatoes, bell peppers, blueberries, eggplant, and potatoes)
• Fermented foods, such as pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi
• Minimally processed meats, such as fish and wild game
• Fresh fruit
• Tubers, including taro, yams, and sweet potatoes
• Minimally processed oils
• Kinds of Vinegar
• Natural sweeteners
• Herbs and spices, except those derived from seeds
• Certain teas
• Bone broth

Each person experiences different results from the AIP diet, but it is often possible to notice an improvement when triggering foods are eliminated. For instance, people with IBD have reported fewer and less severe symptoms. Just be mindful to avoid staying in the elimination phase for too long, as it could cause deficiencies in key nutrients. If you’re concerned about falling short in any vitamins or minerals by avoiding identified trigger foods, consider looking into supplements, with your doctor’s approval.

If you are seeking a more scientific overview of your gut health, Stemedix offers a Precision Health Program that provides comprehensive gut testing that will specifically give you your personal health blueprint along with recommendations unique to you from a board-certified provider. Contact them today for more information.