Regenerative Medicine & Aesthetics

What is Regenerative Medicine?

Regenerative medicine has become a highly emerging field in medicine. With a buzz going around the medical and patient community it leaves many people asking what really is regenerative medicine? In this article I am aiming to help clarify what this fascinating field is really about. By the end of this article you should be able to understand some of the effective treatments that are around today and also understand what the future has in store. First, we need to address what this field is really about. Afterwards we will break down the different treatment areas, and lastly we will dive into some of the developments that are coming in the near future.

When we look at this field of regenerative medicine there are many facets that make it up. However, in essence it is a field that explores therapeutics that aim to regenerate the body. So what does this mean? Every person from the time they are born starts to have degeneration in the body. Maybe this is a joint that is starting to degrade from daily wear and tear or maybe it's an organ that is losing its function. Over time our bodies degenerate. This is where the field of regenerative medicine steps in. It is looking for novel therapeutics that can help restore form and function of these degenerating areas in our body. It simply encompasses the name itself, applications in medicine designed to regenerate ourselves.

So, what therapies are used in order to achieve regeneration within areas of our body. For simplicity purposes in this article we will break this down into 4 distinct areas that are being used at Tulsi Centers. These regenerative medicine areas are the following: stem cell therapy, exosome therapy, PRP or platelet rich plasma and lastly, prolotherapy. Now we will aim to explain each one of these in a little more detail.

Stem Cell therapy

- this field utilizes specific cells in our body that are designed to regenerate cells in the body. A stem cell is a primary cell that has the ability to tell native cells to repair and repopulate but can also transform into the cells needed themselves. These cells have a great capacity to be used in targeted injection to regrow cells and tissues, can be used intravenously to hone in on areas that are damaged and also can be manipulated in labs to create specific cell types and even organs. 

Exosomes therapy 

- Exosome therapy in essence are capsules of cell messages. Stem cells and other cells communicate to one another with these little bubbles of messages. These messages are what are known as growth factors and cytokines. These messages can signal for inflammation to decrease, for more blood vessels to form, for regeneration of cells to begin and so much more. By using these cell signals we can push degenerating areas of the body to repair.

PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma

- PRP or platelet rich plasma is a form of regenerative medicine that comes from our own blood. During this process blood is extracted, spun in a centrifuge and then the PRP fraction is isolated. This is a fraction rich in cell signaling molecules called growth factors, platelets and some plasma. This therapeutic can then be used to target specific sites to promote natural healing to happen. This has been used for joint and muscle injuries, hair regeneration, skin rejuvenation, wound healing and more.

Prolotherapy

- prolotherapy is a solution of dextrose or sugar that is used to signal areas to regenerate. It works by acting as an irritant to stimulate the immune system to signal repair of an area it is placed. This has been used extensively in the areas for joint and musculoskeletal regeneration.

Conditions Treatment with Regenerative Medicine

Now that we have reviewed some of the regenerative medicine therapeutics that are being used in clinical practice at Tulsi lets explore some of the areas that are being treated with these therapeutics. It is important to know at Tulsi we focus on the areas that have some of the most studied and clinically efficacious outcomes today.

One of the first major areas for musculoskeletal conditions. These therapeutics are great non-surgical options for repairing damaged joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. This has been a great option for low grade cartilage defects, sports medicine injuries, wear and tear conditions and degeneration associated with aging. 

A second area of regenerative medicine applications done at Tulsi is for skin rejuvenation. Over time we lose volume in our skin, wrinkles and fine lines start to develop and just overall health of our skin begins to decline. These regenerative medicine therapeutics are great ways to naturally promote our skin health to rejuvenate. There are many methods that can be used to apply these therapeutics such as injections.

The last area is for hair restoration. Regenerative treatments can be used to stimulate dormant hair follicles to regenerate. This is a great option for hair loss and thinning hair. Treatments in office are often combined with at home applications. Over time we can see new hair follicles surfacing and thicker hair.

Does insurance cover regenerative medicine?

The answer is ‘it depends’ on a few things. Usually, insurance sees these types of treatments as optional or still being tested, so they might not pay for them. But sometimes, if your condition is serious and other treatments haven't worked, you might get coverage. It will also depend on the type of insurance one may have and whether other treatments have been tried without much success. Treatments like platelet rich plasma, exosomes, and stem cell therapy aren't seen as necessary for most people's health, so insurance usually won't help pay for them. However, as more research is done and there is more evidence that these treatments work, insurance companies might change their minds and start covering them.

Who is a good candidate for regenerative medicine?

Regenerative medicine can help everyone, no matter how old they are. If regular medicine hasn't worked for you, regenerative medicine might be able to help. It includes treatments like platelet-rich plasma, prolotherapy, exosomes, and stem cell therapy. These treatments can be used in different ways, like getting a shot in a sore joint or even getting a "vampire facial" to make your skin look better. Regenerative medicine offers different treatments that are tailored to each person's health goals. Each treatment helps your body heal by fixing tissues and making them healthier. If you've had long-term joint pain or injuries that haven't gotten better with other treatments, regenerative medicine could make a big difference. Even if you've been told you have a health condition that can't be treated, regenerative medicine might help. Whether you're dealing with pain, getting older, or just want your skin to look nicer, regenerative medicine might be something to consider trying.

What is the success rate of regenerative therapy?

Regenerative therapy is still being studied to see how well it works. The success of this therapy depends on the type of treatment you're getting and how your body responds. One area where regenerative medicine has been successful is in treating muscle, bone, and joint injuries, like osteoarthritis. Treatments like platelet-rich plasma therapy, par therapy, and stem cell therapy can improve joint pain and repair damaged cartilage and tendons. Another successful treatment is prolotherapy, where a solution is injected into weak areas like ligaments or tendons to help them heal. But whether regenerative medicine works for you depends on factors like how severe your condition is and which treatment you get. More research and clinical trials are needed to understand how well regenerative medicine works and how safe it is.