Stem cells for chronic lumbar pain

@salamanca It's possible that your pain is being aggravated by tight surgical scar tissue. With several surgeries, each will have added new scar tissue. You might be interested in myofascial release which is a way to stretch out tight tissue and scar tissue. I have done a lot of MFR work myself and it has helped me a lot. I have done MFR to help after surgeries for an ankle fracture to equalize the tension between both sides of my ankle. I've also had MFR for treating some other conditions, and after my cervical spine surgery to loosen scar tissue.

There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

Stem cells would be involved with tissue regeneration. I think that the work that Dr. Bydon does is research toward spinal cord nerve regeneration for spinal cord injuries.

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
I know as patients, we look for answers and hope for solutions. You might be surprised if you try MFR.

A good question! I have osteoarthritis, multi level disc degenerative change, forward displacement of L4 on L5, bone density normal for 84 years. This from a radiology report. I assume pain might come from a variety of spinal areas?

@salamanca Was the surgery you had to correct the slipping of L4 over L5 or is that still an active functional problem? I think yo may be right about multiple sources for pain. Are you considering physical therapy and possible MFR work?

The last surgery was decompression L4, in 2019. It took 6-8 months of considerable pain to finally and with as much exercise as possible, to be able to walk and generally move with relative freedom. Pain level after 1 year down to 3/10.
Now 4.5 years on, early A.M. pain is 6/10, easing after 40 min. gym bike and stretching. The pain is from bed time especially, also from bending constantly gardening or standing a prolonged period.
I do not think I have an active functional problem and have tried physiotherapy many times to no avail.
Would stem cell therapy be the answer, if so where in the world, please.

I appreciate your recommendation for MFR Therapy. I looked at the provider search you listed, and found one in my area. I intend to call next week for an appointment. Thank you for your information.

@salamanca what accommodations can you make to do things differently so you won’t be in so much pain after gardening or sleeping? I have nerve entrapment in my neck and shoulders due to thoracic outlet syndrome and I sleep with pillows under my side and head, so that creates a space for my shoulder without all my weight on it.

With gardening, can you sit on a low bench so you don’t have to bend so much? Bending will also put more strain on your non fused levels. I don’t think stem calls will do anything for this. Good posture is essential for a healthy spine or to reduce wear and tear.