The Stroke Awareness Foundation states that every 40 seconds, someone in the world has a stroke. Strokes can lead to long-term negative effects, but there are ways of helping the recovery process.
One promising new treatment that can support recovery from a stroke is stem cell therapy. Learn more about what stem cell therapy is and how it can help.
What Is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, is a type of alternative medicine that uses the body’s raw materials (stem cells) to help heal injuries and repair damaged cells. This therapy can jump-start your body’s own healing mechanism, sending the right cells to where you need them most.
How Stem Cells Help Stroke Recovery
A stroke can damage brain tissue. Restoring the cells that die during a stroke is not possible. However, living tissue around these cells is also affected; strokes can limit the functionality of this surrounding tissue.
Stem cells can help restore function to that living tissue. While these stem cells do not become brain cells, they can begin pumping out powerful growth factors that promote healing. This effect can help your body build new synapses and new blood vessels.
These stem cells can provide an environment in your brain that leads to neuroplasticity, making it easier for your nervous system to restructure after an injury like a stroke.
Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy After a Stroke
After a stroke, stem cell therapy can help:
- Regain movement
- Reduce blind spots
- Increase energy
- Reduce pain
- Improve speech clarity
Stem cell therapy can reduce inflammation while also promoting neurological recovery. Both of these factors are crucial when recovering from a stroke. Unlike more invasive therapies, stem cell therapy does not require a long recovery process.
Consider Innovative Therapies
After a stroke, stem cell therapy can provide a new alternative source of healing of some of the damaged tissues in your brain. By producing growth factors right where your brain needs them most, stem cells can encourage new blood vessels and synapses to form. This therapy could offer potential relief for those who have suffered a stroke.