Bone marrow stem cells

How it works

Bone marrow functions as the nursery where all our blood cells come from. Within this tissue, are multiple types of stem cells, but the mesenchymal stem cell, or MSC, has the most promise as an agent of healing. The MSC is a potent cell which can transform into ligament, cartilage or bone, depending on its surrounding environment. The mesenchymal stem cell also produces an anti-inflammatory effect and signals other nearby cells to regenerate. 

Our unique preparation

Bone marrow is usually obtained from the iliac crest area of the pelvis using a special needle. Fluoroscopy is used to ensure correct needle placement.  The marrow is then concentrated in a special centrifuge to yield bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Additional steps are carried out to minimize the amount of red blood cells in the final BMAC preparation. 

Pain relief from a BMAC procedure is not only because of the stem cells, but also because of a very potent concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines present within the BMAC itself.  Cytokines are small proteins released by cells. They have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. They are often either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory in nature. Our special processing of the bone marrow to create BMAC results in the anti-inflammatory cytokines being in a much larger concentration than the pro-inflammatory cytokines.