Stem cells are unique cells with the ability to support the body’s natural repair processes by responding to signals from damaged or stressed tissue. In a regenerative stem cell treatment, these cells are introduced with the goal of encouraging tissue support and biologic activity to make the body healthier.
At Dr. Christopher Calapai’s practice, he works with patients in Garden City, NY, to educate them about regenerative therapies and how they fit into their plans for improving and maintaining their health. Stem cell–based therapies can help address underlying contributors to inflammation, degeneration or impaired healing that could be making certain conditions worse.
What Makes a Condition a Good Candidate for Regenerative Therapy?
Chronic Inflammation
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or stress, but when it becomes chronic, it interferes with normal tissue function and healing. Long-term inflammation sometimes continues long after the initial injury has healed and causes pain and the gradual breakdown of tissue. Stem cells are studied for their ability to communicate with the surrounding cells and regulate inflammatory activity.
Progressive Tissue or Nerve Damage
Stem cells may help in situations where there is gradual wear and degeneration of tissue or nerves. With progressive damage, the body is struggling to keep up with repair demands, which can lead to worsening symptoms. Stem cells may be able to help repair the myelin sheath that protects nerve cells and help with nerve signal transmission.
Declining Cellular Function
Declining cellular function is part of aging and is commonly associated with reduced energy production, slower cellular repair and changes in how cells communicate with one another. In regenerative medicine, stem cells are studied and sometimes used for their ability to release signaling molecules that influence how surrounding cells behave and interact. These cells may help support cellular environments and stress responses, and their effects continue to be studied.
Conditions Being Studied for Stem Cell Therapy
Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease
Arthritis and degenerative joint disease develop when the protective structures within a joint, such as cartilage, gradually break down. Cartilage acts as a cushion between bones, and when it thins, joint movement can cause discomfort and pain. Stem cell therapeutics help to calm the inflammatory response in joints affected by arthritis.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect how brain cells communicate and store information. These conditions are associated with progressive loss of neurons and connections between them, which interferes with memory and daily function. Inflammation in the brain and reduced cellular repair activity may also impact how these conditions develop.
Regenerative stem cells are being studied in this area because they support cellular signaling and may help with inflammatory pathways in the brain and cell-to-cell communication. Some studies are also being done on the potential ability of stem cells to reduce the accumulation of the hallmark proteins of Alzheimer’s.
Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke Recovery
In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks myelin, which protects the nerve fibers and slows or distorts nerve signals. Strokes lead to oxygen deprivation and injury to the brain tissue that controls movement, speech and cognition. Stem cells can support healing and better communication between nerve cells and the surrounding tissue. It is also being studied as a potential therapy for patients once they are in the chronic stage of a stroke, an exciting line of study since all other treatments need to be administered right away.
COPD, Emphysema and Pulmonary Fibrosis
Regenerative approaches are being explored because they focus on cellular signaling and tissue interaction, which may be relevant in conditions where lung tissue has difficulty repairing itself after repeated injury or long-term stress. Chronic lung conditions such as COPD, emphysema, and pulmonary fibrosis interfere with how oxygen moves from the lungs into the bloodstream. These conditions may also involve ongoing inflammation, scarring, or damage to the delicate air sacs and supporting tissue that allow the lungs to expand and contract efficiently.
Organ Decline (Heart, Kidney and Liver Function)
The heart, kidneys, and liver rely on healthy cells to maintain circulation and filtration. When these organs experience a gradual decline, it is often related to ongoing inflammation, reduced blood supply or impaired cellular repair. Eventually, scientists are hoping to use stem cells as a way to reduce the need for transplants, but in the meantime, stem cells can be used to support the healing of organ tissues and to prevent organ transplants from being rejected.
What Cannot Benefit From Regenerative Stem Cell Treatments?
Regenerative therapies are not appropriate for every condition, particularly those involving complete tissue loss, advanced structural damage, or genetic disorders where normal cellular function cannot be restored. Conditions caused by active infection, uncontrolled cancer or irreversible organ failure are not suitable because the underlying problem extends beyond cellular signaling or repair. Treatment with stem cells is also not intended to replace emergency care, surgery or disease-specific medical management.
Stem Cell Therapy Administration Methods
- Injections: Injections are used to place regenerative material closer to a specific area of concern, such as a joint, muscle, or nerve pathway.
- Intravenous: Intravenous administration delivers regenerative material into the bloodstream, allowing it to circulate throughout the body.
- Nasal Droplets: Nasal droplets involve administering regenerative material through the nasal passages, which are closely connected to the central nervous system.
- Lung Nebulizer: A lung nebulizer converts liquid regenerative material into a fine mist that is inhaled into the airways. This allows the material to come into direct contact with lung tissue, where inflammation or scarring may be present.
Find Out If Stem Cell Treatments in Garden City, NY Are Right for You
Stem cell–based approaches continue to be studied for how they support cellular communication and inflammation control across a range of complex health conditions. At Dr. Christopher Calapai, stem cell therapy is approached from a comprehensive medical perspective, and Dr. Calapai draws from his experience in family medicine and anti-aging medicine. During your consultation, we will take the time to explain how regenerative options may fit into your treatment plan in Garden City, NY.
If you would like to learn more or discuss whether regenerative therapy may be appropriate, we encourage you to reach out by phone at 516-794-0404 or complete our online form to contact us.
