The first step is to obtain cells.  Cells can be obtained from many sources. We can harvest your own cells or we can obtain them from a tissue bank.  

Stem cells typically exist in a number of tissues throughout your body. Two sources in particular are commonly used: stem cells from fat, also referred to as Adipose Stem Cells (ASC) and stem cells from bone marrow, also referred to as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC).  

• To harvest ASCs, a short quasi-surgical procedure is used to collect the subcutaneous or abdominal adipose (fat) tissue. This can be thought of as a mini-liposuction. The benefits are that fat yields a high stem cell count and it is a renewable source that can be tapped repeatedly.  
• To harvest BMAC, one has to tap into you bone marrow, typically from the hip area. BMAC stem cells are arguably more potent, but they are lesser in numbers, and some practitioners prefer to limit the procedure to one or twice just in case your ability to regenerate your own bone marrow is limited.

Stem cells can also be obtained from third party tissue banks. Such cells do NOT come from embryos, but rather from donated materials otherwise usually discarded during natural birth.  Theses cells have a wide differentiation potential, are immune-privileged, anti-microbial, and are thought to help reduce inflammation and pain.  Multiple sources can be combined.  Typical sources of stem cells include:

• Amniotic Fluid: this fluid provides a large number of growth factors that activate your own stem cells.
• Umbilical Cord Blood: these tissues provide a very large number of stem cells, our most potent formula available.

Once the cell solution is ready, you are placed under a local or short general anesthesia and the solution is injected into the target area(s). A single injection can thus be administered. However, multiple injections, sometimes 10-15 different ones, can greatly benefit you by covering the entire area in need of healing. The number and placement of the individual injections depends on the severity and duration of your injury or condition.

This procedure is usually confined to a single session. If your condition is so serious that multiple sessions are needed, we will discuss that possibility and offer packages when appropriate.

A follow-up visit is scheduled approximately two weeks after the initial treatment. At that time, the physician will conduct an evaluation and if needed discuss the possibility of additional treatments. A single treatment should be enough for most common ailments. Injections are safe and can be combined with other treatments, medications and supplements if desired.