Stem Cell Therapy for Neck Pain: When is it Right to Decide?

Monica Davis

Monica Davis

Medical Advisor
neck pain, neck, red, skeleton

Neck pain is an unwelcome guest, affecting up to 50% of adults annually and impacting quality of life and productivity. It’s more than a discomfort, it’s a leading cause of disability. This pervasive issue, which increases with age and is more prevalent in women, may find a potential solution in Stem Cell Therapy for Neck Pain. The economic burden? A staggering $200 billion annually in the US alone.

That’s where regenerative medicine might step in. This area of regenerative medicine could potentially alleviate neck pain and improve lives. Let’s get into more detail.

Table of Contents


    When Should You Consider Stem Cell Therapy for Neck Pain Relief?

    Conditions Benefitting from Stem Cell Therapy

    1. Chronic Neck Pain
    2. Degenerative Disc Disease
    3. Failed Neck Surgeries
    4. Neck Arthritis
    5. Cervical Radiculopathy
    6. Injury or Trauma to the Neck
    7. Preference for Minimally Invasive Procedures
    8. Ineffectiveness of Other Treatments
    9. Quality of Life impacted by Neck Pain

    If you often have neck pain because of injury, illness, or overuse, stem cell therapy could be an option. This is especially true if you want to avoid stronger treatments or if your age or busy lifestyle makes surgery not the best option. Traditional ways to treat neck pain, like muscle relaxers, physical therapy, wearing a neck brace, steroid shots, and sometimes surgery, might not work for you. Or, you might worry about the risks and hassle of surgery. If you’re looking for a safer way to reduce neck pain without surgery, you might want to think about stem cell therapy.

    Why Choose Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain Relief?

    Stem cell therapy harnesses the body’s own repair and growth system, making it less complex and risky than traditional bone or spine surgery. These stem cell treatments don’t need anesthesia, there’s no recovery period, and you’ll bounce back much faster. Most crucially, cell therapy effectively eases neck pain. It also can be a good option for back pain.

    The Process: What to Expect from Your Stem Cell Therapy Consultation and Treatment

    The exact procedure can vary depending on the specifics of your situation and the provider you are working with, here’s a general outline of what the stem cell therapy procedure for neck pain might look like:

    1. Consultation: A specialist will assess your condition to determine if you are a suitable candidate for stem cell therapy.
    2. Harvesting: If stem cell therapy is deemed suitable, the first step is to extract stem cells from your body. This is usually done by drawing bone marrow from your hip or taking adipose (fat) tissue from your abdomen. In some cases, stem cells might be sourced from donated cord blood.
    3. Processing: The extracted material is then processed in a lab to isolate and concentrate the stem cells.
    4. Stem Cell Neck Injection: Once the stem cells are prepared, they are injected into the area of your neck causing pain. This is usually done using ultrasound or fluoroscopy to guide the injection to the precise location.
    5. Post-Treatment Care: After the procedure, you’ll receive instructions for care and follow-up. This can include physiotherapy or other rehabilitation to support the healing process.
    6. Follow-up: Regular follow-ups will be scheduled to monitor your progress and assess the effectiveness of the treatment.


    Remember, it’s crucial to have these procedures performed by a qualified and experienced professional to ensure safety and increase the chances of a successful outcome. Please consult with a healthcare provider for information tailored to your specific circumstances. To understand the costs, consider checking the following post – Stem Cell Therapy Cost.

    Combining Treatments: Is it Beneficial to Use Stem Cell Therapy and PRP Together?

    Combining stem cell therapy with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections is a treatment strategy that’s been explored in various areas of regenerative medicine, including orthopedics.

    Stem cells have the potential to develop into different types of cells and also have a role in healing and tissue regeneration. PRP, on the other hand, is made from a patient’s own blood and contains a concentration of platelets, which are a source of growth factors and proteins that aid in healing.

    In theory, using stem cells and PRP together may enhance the benefits of treatment. PRP might improve the recruitment, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells, thereby potentially enhancing the healing process.

    As always, it’s essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to understand the potential benefits, risks, and uncertainties associated with these therapies. To learn about PRP and Stem Cell therapy including costs check out the following post – PRP VS Stem Cell: All you need to know.

    Understanding Neck Pain: Key Statistics and Considerations

    stem cell for neck pain statistics
    1. Prevalence: According to a study published in the journal “Spine,” the prevalence of neck pain in the global population ranges from 0.4% to 86.8%, with a one-year incidence rate ranging from 10.4% to 21.3%. On average, the 12-month prevalence of neck pain in the adult general population is estimated to be between 30% and 50%.
    2. Age Factor: Neck pain is more common as people age, with a peak at around 45 years of age.
    3. Gender Differences: Women are more likely to experience neck pain than men. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of neck pain is 20-25% higher in women.
    4. Work-Related Neck Pain: Among workers, the one-year prevalence of neck pain ranges from 27.1% to 47.8%, according to a systematic review published in the European Spine Journal.
    5. Chronicity: Approximately 10% of people may develop chronic neck pain, defined as pain lasting longer than six months.
    6. Impact on Quality of Life: According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, impacting quality of life and productivity.
    7. Economic Impact: The economic impact of neck pain is substantial, including both direct healthcare costs and indirect costs due to lost work productivity. In the US, the total costs of treatment for neck pain and other musculoskeletal conditions were estimated to be over $200 billion per year in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2021.


    References

    1. Fejer, R., Kyvik, K. O., & Hartvigsen, J. (2006). The prevalence of neck pain in the world population: a systematic critical review of the literature. European Spine Journal, 15(6), 834–848. Link
    2. World Health Organization. (2003). The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions at the Start of the New Millennium: Report of a WHO Scientific Group (WHO Technical Report Series, No. 919). Link
    3. Côté, P., van der Velde, G., Cassidy, J. D., Carroll, L. J., Hogg-Johnson, S., Holm, L. W., … & Peloso, P. (2008). The burden and determinants of neck pain in workers: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine, 33(4S), S60-S74. Link
    4. Hoy, D., March, L., Woolf, A., Blyth, F., Brooks, P., Smith, E., … & Buchbinder, R. (2014). The global burden of neck pain: estimates from the global burden of disease 2010 study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 73(7), 1309-1315. Link
    5. Dieleman, J. L., Cao, J., Chapin, A., Chen, C., Li, Z., Liu, A., … & Murray, C. J. L. (2020). US Health Care Spending by Payer and Health Condition, 1996-2016. JAMA, 323(9), 863-884. Link
    Share