All About Stem Cells

Considering the ailment, physical condition, and/or age of the patient, we at SCHI may implant the stem cells using a combination of the following implantation methods:

Intravenous Infusion (IV)

Intravenous application is one of the safest and simplest methods to administer stem cells throughout the body.  Anesthesia is not required, but can be administered if necessary, depending on the patient.  The IV infusion of stem cells is commonly given in conjunction with natural sugars that enhance penetration through the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB).  The administration of an IV application normally takes about 30 minutes. 

Intrathecal Infusion (Lumbar Puncture)

Commonly, intrathecal administration is ideal for most neurological conditions such as autism.  With a lumbar puncture, stem cells are injected directly into the spinal canal through the lower vertebrae under local anesthesia and performed by a licensed and experienced anesthesiologist.  Lumbar punctures are used for neurological conditions because the stem cells are injected into the spinal fluid which passes through the blood-brain barrier.  This enables the cells to reach the spinal cord and the brain.  This procedure normally takes about 30 minutes. 

Intranasal Aspiration

A combination of Intrathecal and intranasal methods is typically used and is ideal for patients with neurological disorders.  Stem cells are administered through the nose using an aspirator nozzle to spray the cells in the nose.  The nasal cavity has two primary functions, olfaction (sense of smell) and warming, humidifying and filtering air we breath.  Inside the nasal cavities are turbinates, which are highly vascular and convoluted passageways lined with a warm, moist mucosal layer. These highly vascular turbinates allow for rapid absorption into the bloodstream because the capillaries within the turbinates are specifically designed to allow the rapid shift of fluids across capillary membranes.  Additionally, the olfactory tissues relay sense of smell signals directly to the central nervous system.  Olfactory mucosa is on the superior aspect of the nasal cavity and actually extends through the skull’s cribriform plate and into the cranial cavity, therefore passing the blood brain barrier, which is what is believed to aid in the reparation of cells for patients with neurological disorders or ailments. 

Intra-Articular (into the joint)

Intra-articular injections are commonly used for arthritis patients and those looking to repair ligaments and tendons.  Because joints, tendons and ligaments have very limited blood supply, the stem cells are injected directly into the affected joint or connected tissue by a licensed physician and is a safe procedure that does not require anesthesia.

Intra-muscular and/or Localized Injections

The stem cells are injected directly into the muscle and/or location where the ailment exists.  For example, patients with eye disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa will receive a localized injection behind their eye, using a retrobulbar injection, which is an injection that targets the area behind the eye.  This particular injection is done by an experienced Ophthalmologist.

Intra-Organ and Peri-Organ injections

These injections entail injecting into or around the organ in question.  SCHI will take into consideration the condition of the patient as well as the of the damaged organ in order to deduce prognosis and efficacy of an intra-organ and/or peri-organ injection.

This is always done in conjunction with an IV of stem cells to ensure that these stem cells also get into the circulation of the organ in question.  These types of injections are commonly done in the case of diabetes (pancreas), liver & kidney damage, directly into the penis (for ED), vaginal atrophy/rejuvenation, only to name a few.  Normally, there will be a series of injections to cover a certain area/damage.

Intra-organ and/or peri-organ injections are always done under conscious sedation so that the patient is kept comfortable and there is no movement during the procedure.  The procedures are guided by fluoroscopy or ultrasound imaging techniques.  These techniques allow the direct visualization of the tip of the needle in real-time as it pierces the skin and enters the target site, which increases the accuracy of the injections.   

Subcutaneous injections

These injections are placed under the skin below the dermis and the epidermis layer.  We inject a bolus of our proprietary stem cell cocktail for a slow and steady release into the body.  We do this specifically for autoimmune conditions due to a very complex cascade of immunomodulation instigated by subcutaneous stem cell – and other factors – injections.  

This procedure can be likened to a non-invasive, very natural immunotherapy devoid of any negative side-effects and yielding very positive results.

Lymph Node injections

These injections entail deployment of our proprietary stem cell cocktail directly into specific lymph nodes in the body.  This is done specifically for autoimmune conditions, because Autoimmune Disease is the result of the body’s inability to recognize self and thereby attacking itself:  the cartilage of the joints in the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the myelin sheath in the case of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the substantia nigra in the case of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), only to name a few examples of autoimmune conditions.  

Our goal is to modulate and shut-off the autoimmunity by targeting the Immune System.