Stem Cell Therapies
The Science of MSC’s (Mesenchymal Stem Cells)
If you are interested in stem cells there is a good chance that you have heard Joe Rogan discuss regenerative medicine with experts like Dr. Neil Riordan and you’ve likely heard of MSCs (Mesenchymal Stem Cells). These are the "master cells" of the body.
At Lookout Valley Chiropractic, we focus on the latest generation of biologics. We utilize Wharton’s jelly derived MSC’s which are directly derived from donated umbilical cord tissues. These are high-potency, signaling-rich stem cells. Unlike older methods that require painful harvesting from your own bone marrow or fat, Wharton's Jelly provides youthful cellular material derived from umbilical cord tissue. We only use stem cells processed in FDA-registered facilities.
Why Not Mexico or Panama?
We often get asked: "Why shouldn't I just go to the Stem Cell Institute in Panama or a clinic in Mexico?"
- Marketing claims: Clinics in Panama often market "millions of expanded cells.” They are able to grow (expand) cells in a lab over several days, a process currently restricted in the U.S. under FDA "minimal manipulation" rules. In reality, you do not need lab grown stem cells to achieve the same results. In addition, continued lab replication can reduce the efficacy of the MSC’s. We utilize IMARA Pure Wharton’s jelly derived MSC’s that still have tens of millions of cells per dose. You can read more about this in the next section.
- The Reality of Proximity: Traveling abroad means navigating foreign regulations, high travel costs, and a lack of continuity of care. If you have a question or a complication three weeks later, your doctor is 2,000 miles away.
The Tennessee Advantage: With the passage of TN House Bill 2246, Tennessee has become a leading state for regenerative medicine. You can now access high-quality, ethically sourced biologics right here in Chattanooga. These are administered by a licensed Nurse Practitioner under strict medical oversight. You get the technology without the international flight.
The "Million Cell" Myth: Quality Over Quantity
Overseas clinics often boast 40 million to 100 million expanded cells. While that sounds impressive, it's important to understand the difference between expanded cells and Wharton’s Jelly.
- Potency vs. Volume: When cells are expanded (grown in a dish), they can lose some of their "homing” ability. Wharton's Jelly is a complex matrix. In addition to MSC’s (mesenchymal derived stem cells, it is packed with hyaluronic acid, cytokines, and a high concentration of exosomes.
The Matrix Advantage: In our clinic, we use Wharton’s Jelly because it provides the perfect matrix for healing. It’s not just a numbers game; it’s about providing the environment your body needs to switch from a state of inflammation to a state of repair. This is exactly why we utilize IMARA Pure.
What’s in the 2mL Vial?
Our IMARA Pure 300mg is a high-concentration Wharton's jelly allograft. While cell counts can vary by donor, a typical 2mL application of high-quality Wharton's Jelly can contain approximately 10 to 30 million total nucleated cells.
Why this matters:
- Youthful Potency: Unlike your own stem cells (which age as you do), these are day zero cells. They haven't been tired out by decades of life.
- The Matrix Advantage: It’s not just about the cell count. The 300mg of tissue in an IMARA vial includes a dense matrix of hyaluronic acid, type I, III, and V collagen, and billions of exosomes.
- Hyaluronic acid - serves as the body’s ultimate biological lubricant and shock absorber. It holds immense amounts of moisture to keep joints moving smoothly and tissues hydrated. In a regenerative context, it provides the essential fluid environment that allows cells to migrate and communicate effectively during the repair process.
- Type I, III, and V collagens - act as the structural rebar of your body. They provide the tensile strength and elasticity needed to rebuild healthy tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.
- Exosomes are microscopic signaling vesicles that act like a high-tech "AirDrop" system. They deliver a concentrated amount of genetic instructions and growth factors directly to your cells. By providing billions of these messengers, we can turn on your body’s dormant healing pathways and command a massive, systemic reduction in inflammation.
- Safety First: We only source from FDA-registered facilities and are not expanded or chemically altered. Our MSC’s maintain their natural signaling integrity and can provide the instruction manual your body needs to start healing itself.
IV Infusion vs Joint Injection: Which is Right for You?
Understanding how these cells are delivered is just as important as the cells themselves.
- Targeted Joint Injections: Think of this as a precision strike. If you have a specific bone-on-bone knee issue or arthritic shoulder this may be right for you. We inject the stem cells directly into the area of concern. This places the MSCs and growth factors exactly where the structural repair is needed.
- Systemic IV Infusion: This is considered the biohack for total body wellness. An IV infusion allows signaling molecules and stem cells to circulate through the bloodstream. While the FDA focuses on orthopedic use, many patients seek systemic delivery to address broader inflammation and support the body's natural regenerative intelligence. This is also a good option for those with multiple injuries/problems. It is also an option for degenerative spinal conditions and disc injuries.
- Both: It is always an option to combine multiple regenerative therapies such as an IV infusion and a direct joint injection. It is also an option to combine PRP and shockwave therapy alongside the stem cell therapies. We offer all of this at Lookout Valley Chiropractic.
What to Expect on Treatment Day
Your procedure is a streamlined experience designed to get you back to your life with minimal downtime. From the moment you arrive, our goal is to ensure you are comfortable, informed, and ready to begin your regenerative journey under the care of our licensed Nurse Practitioner.
The Procedure Process
Whether you are receiving a targeted joint injection or a systemic IV infusion, the process typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. For joint treatments, the MSC’s are placed exactly where structural support is needed. IV sessions allow you to relax in a comfortable setting while the high-purity MSC’s enter your bloodstream. Most patients describe the sensation as being similar to a routine blood draw with very little discomfort during or after the visit.
Immediate Post-Care
Because we use advanced day zero biologics rather than harvesting material from your own bone or fat, there is no painful recovery site to worry about. You will be able to walk out of the clinic on your own and can typically return to light daily activities immediately. We provide a simple post-care plan that prioritizes hydration and rest for the first 24 to 48 hours to let the initial signaling phase take hold.
The Weeks Following Treatment
Regeneration is a marathon, not a sprint. While some patients notice a smoothing of joint movement within the first few days, the most significant functional improvements typically develop over the following two to three months. We will schedule follow-up calls to monitor your progress and ensure your body is responding optimally to the therapy.
High impact, strenuous activities are discouraged the first week after treatment. Ibuprofen, Advil, Motril and other NSAID’s are also discouraged for 8 weeks.
Pricing
- Stem cell infusion (IV drip of high concentration MSC’s) - $4900
- Stem cell injections - $2300 per injection (best rate in Tennessee)
⚠️ Professional Disclosure
Stem cell injections and infusions have not been specifically approved by the FDA for all indications. They are considered experimental procedures. All injections/infusions at our clinic are administered by a licensed Nurse Practitioner.