Ep. 17 Guide to How Stem Cell Therapy Works cover art

Ep. 17 Guide to How Stem Cell Therapy Works

Ep. 17 Guide to How Stem Cell Therapy Works

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 FULL TRANSCRIPT Welcome to the STEMS Health Regenerative Medicine Podcast. In today’s episode, we’re taking a clear, step-by-step look at how stem cell therapy actually works in real clinical settings. Not as a single treatment, not as a promise - but as a medical workflow. Stem cell therapy is often discussed as one idea, but in practice it’s a multi-step process. Outcomes are influenced not just by the cells themselves, but by how those cells are sourced, handled, delivered, and how the body responds afterward. The goal of this episode is education. We’ll walk through the full process in plain language - from evaluation and sourcing, to lab handling, delivery, and what happens inside the body - without overpromising results. Let’s begin with what “stem cell therapy” means in practical terms. In clinical care, stem cell therapy refers to the use of biologic cells or cell-derived materials as part of a regenerative treatment plan. That plan may involve different cell sources, processing methods, and delivery routes depending on the condition being addressed. Importantly, stem cell therapy is not a single standardized treatment. Two patients may both be described as receiving stem cell-based care, yet their workflows - from sourcing to delivery - may be very different. Understanding those differences helps patients ask informed questions and better interpret clinic claims. Now let’s walk through the typical workflow. Step one is patient evaluation and treatment planning. Before any discussion of cells, regenerative care begins with a medical evaluation. Clinicians assess whether stem cell-based approaches are being considered and whether a patient may be an appropriate candidate. This evaluation usually includes a review of medical history and current medications, a physical exam focused on pain, mobility, and function, imaging such as X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound when appropriate, and discussion of prior treatments and how the patient responded. The goal is not to sell a therapy. It’s to understand the underlying problem. Structural damage, inflammation, and degenerative changes can behave very differently - even when symptoms look similar. Baseline measurements like pain scores, range of motion, and activity limitations are often documented so progress can be evaluated over time. Stem cell therapy is most often discussed for musculoskeletal concerns such as joint pain, tendon or ligament injuries, and certain spine-related conditions. Clinicians also screen for situations where regenerative therapies may not be appropriate, such as active infection, systemic illness, or conditions requiring immediate surgery. Imaging matters here. Ultrasound, in particular, allows clinicians to visualize soft tissues and joints in real time and helps guide accurate delivery when injections are used. Step two is stem cell sourcing - where the cells come from. Broadly, stem cells fall into two categories based on origin: autologous and allogeneic. Autologous stem cells come from the patient’s own tissue. Common sources include bone marrow and adipose, or fat tissue. These tissues contain adult stem cells along with supportive cells. Because the cells come from the patient, compatibility concerns are minimized. Autologous workflows often occur on the same day, where cells are collected, processed, and delivered during a single visit, depending on protocol. From a patient’s perspective, this step is best understood as a collection process rather than surgery. Clinicians explain what to expect during consultation. Allogeneic stem cells come from screened donors. These cells are processed and stored according to established standards before being distributed for clinical or research use. Donor screening, testing, and documentation are central to this approach. Allogeneic products may be considered when standardization, availability, or logistics are prioritized. Regardless of source, clinics should clearly explain whether cells are patient-derived or donor-derived, and why that source is being considered. Chain of custody is also important. This refers to tracking and documentation of biologic material from collection through delivery, supporting safety, traceability, and accountability. Step three is laboratory processing and handling. After sourcing, cells undergo processing. Processing doesn’t mean the same thing everywhere. It can range from minimal preparation to more complex lab workflows conducted in regulated environments. At a high level, processing prepares biologic material for safe and consistent delivery. Cell isolation separates specific cellular components from collected tissue. Concentration increases the proportion of target cells in a sample. These steps help standardize what is delivered, rather than injecting raw tissue. Quality controls - such as viability checks, sterility practices, and time and temperature controls - play a major role in safety and consistency, even though ...
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