Comparing Neuropathy Treatments: Medications vs. Stem Cell Therapy

Key Takeaways

• Neuropathy is a chronic condition that can be treated with surgery, medication, and, more recently, stem cell therapy.
• Medications can help relieve inflammation in certain types of neuropathy, but they can feature side effects that negatively affect overall health and impede recovery times.
• Stem cell therapy for neuropathy reduces inflammation and promotes nerve tissue regeneration to help patients find lasting relief from their symptoms.

Neuropathy is a common condition that prevents millions of patients from leading healthy, active lifestyles. Managing constant pain, tingling, and numbness can become a lifelong struggle for some individuals, limiting their ability to exercise, socialize, and manage their overall health and well-being. Medications have long been used to treat symptoms, especially in older adults. However, some neuropathy treatments can lead to unintended side effects that risk further complications. Stem cell therapy is emerging as the leading treatment option for chronic neuropathy. It heals damaged nerve tissue, removes toxins contributing to inflammation and swelling, and helps patients regain independence.

Understanding Neuropathy and Its Symptoms

Neuropathy is marked by weakened or interrupted nerve signals, leading to numbness, tingling, and weakness in areas controlled by the affected nerves (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2024). As these signals break down due to tissue degeneration, symptoms can spread to other body areas. Muscles gradually weaken due to lack of use, limiting physical activity and mobility.

Prolonged inactivity prevents patients from leading active lifestyles, which can worsen the underlying cause of neuropathy, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases, arthritis, poor diet, and unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Common Medications Used to Treat Neuropathy

Neuropathy treatments vary based on the underlying cause.

Neuropathy caused by inflammation due to an autoimmune disorder or the build-up of toxins in the immune system due to excess drinking, poor diet, smoking, and other lifestyle risks is often treated with steroids and immunosuppressive drugs such as prednisone, cyclosporine, or azathioprine. These drugs suppress immunological function by suppressing genes regulating the immune system or interfering with their signaling pathways (Hussain & Khan, 2022).

Suppressing the immune system can help treat autoimmune conditions where the body attacks healthy cells and tissue by mistake. However, immunosuppressant drugs that treat neuropathy carry a high risk of side effects. Research shows they affect healthy cells and often paint with a broad brush, interfering with cellular anabolic function, which can lead to kidney damage and gastrointestinal issues (Meneghini et al., 2021). Suppressing the immune system also reduces the number of T cells. This inhibits the body’s ability to fight off disease and viral infections, which increases the risk of serious illness.

For neuropathy caused by chronic conditions like diabetes, controlling blood glucose levels can help relieve symptoms. Neuropathy caused by traumatic injury often requires surgery followed by medications to prevent broken bones and bones with ruptured cartilage from pressing on the nerves.

Patients with chronic pain may rely on prescription or over-the-counter pain medications, which can lead to dependency issues and liver damage.

Neuropathy medication side effects can include:

• Weakened immune system
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Changes in blood pressure
• Decreased libido
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Dependence on medications

Medications for neuropathy are not always effective at relieving pain, and symptoms typically reappear once patients stop taking medications (MD, 2020).

What is Stem Cell Therapy for Neuropathy?

Stem cell therapy takes a different approach to repairing damaged nerve endings. Instead of suppressing the immune system or relying on traditional medications that treat chronic conditions, stem cell injections signal repair in the nervous and muscular systems to regenerate healthy tissue. This effect restores feeling in the affected areas, reduces pain, and helps patients return to a healthy lifestyle.

Stem cells are known for their ability to differentiate into different cell types. When injected intravenously, they promote healthy cellular function and renewal without damaging other cell types. They treat a wide range of chronic conditions and injuries, including those that cause neuropathy.

Comparing Effectiveness: Medications vs. Stem Cell Therapy

Medications and stem cell therapy represent different approaches to treating neuropathy. The former can help regulate chronic conditions and prevent further nervous and immune system damage. Symptoms may gradually lessen as inflammation decreases and patients learn to control the underlying condition causing neuropathy. However, outcomes vary widely, and the patient’s ability to regrow healthy tissue depends on their health and mobility.

Stem cell therapy is more likely to regenerate healthy tissue, ease inflammation, and have fewer side effects than traditional therapies (Padda et al., 2021). Most patients experience decreased swelling and inflammation in the affected areas within the first few weeks, reducing pain, tingling, and numbness. Immunological function remains intact, helping patients feel their best and increase their range of motion as nerve and muscle tissue begin to regenerate.

Risks and Considerations for Each Treatment

Neuropathy medications carry risks of suppressing the immune system, which can lead to severe illness and viral infections, and can cause liver damage. Pain medications can lead to dependency, social isolation, and increased sensitivity to pain.

Stem cell therapy for neuropathy is minimally invasive and has no side effects. Pluripotent stem cells are not derived from the patient and do not require surgery. They are paired with the patient using a simple skin biopsy, which may cause mild redness. Patients may also be tender around the injection site.

Who Should Consider Stem Cell Therapy?

Patients recovering from surgery after a significant injury and those managing chronic conditions like arthritis and diabetes should consider stem cell therapy for neuropathy. The procedure best suits individuals with chronic pain, tingling, numbness, and inflammation. Our team will help you compare neuropathy treatments based on your condition, health history, and current symptoms.

Why Choose Stem Cell Therapy as a Common Treatment for Neuropathy

Stem cell therapy can help you find lasting relief from your symptoms without impairing your immune system. By regenerating damaged tissue, you can make improvements that medications cannot provide. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how these stem cell therapy benefits can transform your health.

FAQs

What is the best treatment for neuropathy?

The best treatment for neuropathy depends on the underlying cause. Stem cell therapy can provide lasting relief by regenerating healthy tissue and reducing inflammation without compromising the immune system.

How long does stem cell therapy take to show results?

Most patients experience relief within the first few weeks. Inflammation decreases in the second or third week as the body begins healing.

Are there any side effects of stem cell therapy?

There are no serious side effects associated with stem cell therapy. The skin biopsy may cause mild redness or irritation, and injections can cause tenderness.

Can neuropathy medications and stem cell therapy be used together?

Yes, neuropathy medications may be used in combination with stem cell therapy. Talk to your doctor before starting or stopping your medications. During the initial consultation with our team, include your existing or former neuropathy treatments.

Is stem cell therapy covered by insurance?

Stem cell therapy for neuropathy is not typically covered by insurance in the U.S. and normally costs more than in other countries. Mexico is a leading provider of stem cell therapy and maintains the same standards of care.

Sources:

Hussain, Y., & Khan, H. (2022). Immunosuppressive drugs. Encyclopedia of Infection and Immunity, 4(PMC8987166), 726–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-818731-9.00068-9

MD, R. H. S. (2020, December 1). Treating neuropathy: Which medication is best? Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/treating-neuropathy-which-medication-is-best-2020120121538

Meneghini, M., Bestard, O., & Grinyo, J. M. (2021). Immunosuppressive drugs modes of action. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 54-55, 101757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpg.2021.101757

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Peripheral Neuropathy | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Www.ninds.nih.gov. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy

Padda, J., Khalid, K., Zubair, U., Al Hennawi, H., Yadav, J., Almanie, A. H., Mehta, K. A., Tasnim, F., Cooper, A. C., & Jean-Charles, G. (2021). Stem Cell Therapy and Its Significance in Pain Management. Cureus, 13(8), e17258. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17258