Spinal discs act as cushions or shock absorbers between the bones of the spine, allowing flexibility and absorbing shock during movement. They are composed of a tough fibrous ring and a central jelly-like blend of water, collagen, and proteoglycans. Hence, the shock absorption.
Understanding Spinal Disc Degeneration
Spinal discs are made up of a soft inner core and a tougher outer layer. The conventional explanation is that as we age, discs lose hydration and elasticity, making them more prone to cracks, bulging, or collapse. Because spinal discs have a limited blood supply, their natural ability to heal is very poor. Traditional treatments often focus on pain management rather than repair. Over time, these discs can wear down due to aging, injury, or degeneration, leading to chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
What very few people and doctors realize is that the discs are extremely strong under pressure, stronger than the bones above and below. The initial damage typically occurs in the ligaments that run between the bones and hold the discs under compression. Once damaged, ligaments are notorious for not being able to repair completely (typically 50 to 80 percent).
This leads to a relative instability of that joint segment compared to before the injury. The nerve sensors in the joint pick this up and send it to the brain. The brain does the only thing it can do to try and stabilize the joint: it sends messages to the surrounding muscles to tighten all the time, leading to a state of constant, partial contraction. That causes a restriction in blood flow, which leads to damaged mitochondria and inflammation. This process leads to pain, chronic inflammation, and degeneration.
Another often overlooked aspect of damaged discs has to do with the foundation of the spinal column. It sits atop the sacrum. Two of the main ligament injuries that often precede disc degeneration are to the sacro-illiac and iliolumbar ligaments. When the sacrum is not stable, everything above it becomes compromised.
Disc problems have led many people to ask two important questions:
- What things have been shown to help the discs repair? and
- Can stem cells help regenerate spinal discs?
As for what things can be done to help the discs repair, there’s a pretty short list.
- Rest and modification of posture and activities.
- Spinal decompression therapy is typically done as a series of 12 to 24 sessions.
- Physical Therapy to help strengthen the supporting muscles. McKenzie exercises can also help.
- Massage therapy, intense pressure therapy, helps with muscle issues.
- Surgery: Discectomy or disc decompression with a needle to remove damaged tissue.
- Stem cell Therapy, although not officially approved for this application.
Can Stem Cell Therapies help to repair damaged discs?
Stem cell therapy aims to support the body’s natural repair processes. Most treatments use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are known for their ability to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Support tissue repair
- Improve the local healing environment
When injected near or into a damaged disc, stem cells do not magically replace the disc overnight. Instead, they may help calm inflammation and encourage healthier disc cell activity. They also activate and revive your own stem cells, which are the key to all healing.
Potential Benefits for Spinal Discs
Research and clinical experience suggest stem cell therapy can help a high percentage of people by:
- Decreasing chronic back pain
- Improving flexibility and mobility
- Slow disc degeneration
- Improve disc hydration and structure in some patients
These effects are more commonly seen in early to moderate disc degeneration, rather than severe cases where discs are badly collapsed.
An additional application of stem cells would be to support the healing process associated with surgery.
What Stem Cells Can and Cannot Do
It’s important to have realistic expectations. Stem cells may help support regeneration and reduce inflammation, but they are not guaranteed to fully restore severely damaged discs (nothing is). Results vary depending on age, overall health, severity of degeneration, and treatment quality.
Who May Benefit Most
Stem cell therapy may be more suitable for:
- Patients with mild to moderate disc degeneration
- Individuals seeking non-surgical options
- Those who have not responded well to conservative treatments like physical therapy or medications
People with advanced disc collapse or spinal instability may still require surgical intervention.
Final Thoughts
Stem cell therapy shows promise as a regenerative approach for spinal disc problems, especially when used early. While it is not a cure-all, it may help reduce pain, improve function, and slow degeneration in selected patients. Ongoing research continues to explore how stem cells can be used more effectively for spinal health.