Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that damages the joint lining, leading to chronic pain, redness, and swelling.
- RA is caused by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and the risk of developing the disease increases with age.
- Current treatments include medications, surgery, and occupational therapy to reduce inflammation, but some patients may not benefit from existing options and may incur painful side effects.
- Stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis relieves pain, tingling, and numbness without side effects to restore the patient’s mobility and quality of life.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains common worldwide, affecting roughly five out of every 1,000 adults, and is two to three times more common in women, with a mean patient age of 55 (Sarsenova et al., 2021). While half of RA patients were previously disabled and unable to work full-time, new treatment options are bringing hope to individuals affected by the disease.
Stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis significantly accelerates the recovery timeline with fewer side effects compared to traditional treatments and interventions, including medications, surgery, and physical therapy. Learn how this revolutionary treatment can improve your outlook.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and Nerve Damage
What Causes Inflammation in RA?
RA is the most common autoimmune disease. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, eroding the lining that insulates the joints, called the synovium. The activated immune cells increase inflammation in the area, thickening the synovium until it damages the cartilage and bones in the joint. The muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the joint become weak, leading to more pain, fatigue, and disability. While RA affects each patient differently, the condition traditionally worsens without treatment. Environmental factors, stress, excess activity, or stopping treatment can also cause the disease to “flare up”.
How RA Affects Nerves
Doctors are not sure why the immune system affects the joints, but age, genetics, sex, and various lifestyle factors are believed to contribute to the disease. RA can be genetic; individuals with family members with RA are more likely to develop the condition. Being overweight, smoking, and having gum or lung diseases can also affect your risk.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Joint pain when resting and moving
- Swelling, tenderness, warmth around the area
- Worsening pain that can lead to disability or limit activity
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
The disease tends to progress symmetrically, meaning that if the left knee is inflamed, the right one will likely be affected (Garrick, 2022).
Prolonged inflammation can affect the body outside of the joints. Additional health issues can include:
- Lumps under the skin on the hands and elbows
- Neck pain
- Anemia
- Inflammation of lung tissue, leading to scarring and breathing difficulties
- Symptoms may take months or years to appear once the disease begins attacking the joints during what is known as the pre-RA stage.
Conventional RA Treatments and Their Limitations
The goal of treating RA is to reduce inflammation and nerve damage, thereby slowing the progression of the disease. Traditional treatments include medications such as glucocorticoids (GCs), synthetic and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, roughly 30–50% of patients are unresponsive to conventional DMARDs, and GCs can lead to adverse side effects, including ecchymosis, cushingoid features, parchment-like skin, leg edema, sleep disturbance, and immunosuppression (Sarsenova et al., 2021).
If the medications prove ineffective, surgery, including a tenosynovectomy, arthroscopy, osteotomy, or joint replacement, may also be used to restore joint function. Surgery for RA can increase the risk of complications and prolong recovery times.
Stem Cell Therapy: A Breakthrough for RA Sufferers
How Stem Cells Target Inflammation
Stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is a revolutionary new treatment that restores joint functionality and reduces chronic pain without surgery or adverse side effects. Stem cells help regulate the immune system and naturally promote healing in various cell types. Specifically, they encourage the immune system to develop T cells that help prevent and moderate autoimmune disorders. They also accelerate tissue and joint regeneration by increasing the production of healthy cells.
What are the best types of stem cells for arthritis treatment?
Adult stem cells, or mesenchymal stem cells, have been shown to relieve RA symptoms, but they need to be extracted from the patient’s bone marrow, which requires surgery (Mahnaz Babaahmadi et al., 2023). Adult stem cells are considered multipotent and can promote regeneration in six to eight tissue types in the body, including cartilage, tendons, ligaments, bones, skin, and fat.
Embryonic stem cells are made from donated blastocysts, or early-stage embryos, and do not require surgery. They are tailored to the patient using a simple skin biopsy, minimizing the risk of complications and side effects. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can promote regeneration and healing in over 220 cell types, making them the most effective option for treating RA and other autoimmune disorders.
Why Choose Stem Cell Therapy Over Traditional RA Treatments
Stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis has fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time than traditional RA treatments. Regular stem cell injections relieve swelling and inflammation around the affected area within the first several weeks of treatment. This prevents the condition from worsening and damaging underlying tissue. As treatment progresses, the body begins to regrow healthy cells and repair damaged tissue to support joint functionality. Patients eventually regain control of their joints and find lasting relief from their pain.
Stem Cell Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mexico
Why Mexico Is a Hub for Stem Cell Innovation
Embryonic stem cell arthritis treatment is not currently available in the U.S., pending FDA approval. However, patients suffering from RA can receive stem cell injections in Mexico under the care of licensed medical providers. The region has emerged as a medical tourism hub for patients suffering from chronic diseases with limited treatment options. The country offers state-of-the-art medical facilities in a tropical setting and maintains the same standards of care as the U.S. and other industrialized nations.
Benefits of Treatment at Stemaid Institute
Stemaid Institute is one of the world’s leading embryonic stem cell therapy providers. We specialize in using this revolutionary approach to treat various chronic and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. We only use fresh, never frozen, embryonic stem cells cultured onsite in our laboratories. Our Los Cabos resort provides a safe, relaxing environment for your recovery. Experienced providers will oversee every step of your journey and help you find lasting relief from your symptoms.
What to Expect Before, During, and After Treatment
It begins with an introductory consultation with a Stemaid medical provider. They will review your medical history, prior treatments, and health goals to ensure you benefit from stem cell therapy in Mexico. Our team will help you arrange your visit to Stemaid Institute by explaining the medical tourism process and connecting you to local accommodations based on your needs.
When you arrive, our staff will conduct imaging tests and collect samples to learn more about your condition. Stem cells are injected intravenously, which can lead to mild discomfort and swelling around the injection site. During treatment, your provider will monitor your progress and your body’s reaction to ensure it has the intended effect. Most patients find relief within several weeks as inflammation and nerve damage decrease.
Cost of Stem Cell Therapy for RA
How Much Does It Cost in Mexico?
Mexico offers affordable healthcare and procedures unavailable in other countries while adhering to strict regulations and requirements. Current treatments cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per stem cell injection.
Comparison to U.S. and European Prices
Stem cell therapy in Mexico costs significantly less than in the U.S. and Europe. Clinics in these countries can charge between $5,000 and $10,000 per injection, adding thousands to the total cost of treatment.
Does Insurance cover it?
Stem cell therapy is not traditionally covered by insurance because the procedure still awaits regulatory approval in the U.S. Patients typically pay out of pocket. Stem cell injections in Mexico can help U.S. patients save money on treatment, even when including the cost of travel.
FAQs About RA and Stem Cell Therapy
What is the best treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
The best treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is stem cell therapy, particularly embryonic stem cells that do not require a bone marrow transplant. This minimizes the risk of complications and utilizes the body’s natural healing properties. Many patients also do not respond to traditional RA medications, limiting their treatment options.
Can stem cells cure rheumatoid arthritis permanently?
Yes, rheumatoid arthritis stem cell treatment can permanently relieve symptoms. Patients may need to return for a follow-up or continue with physical therapy to achieve lasting results.
How do stem cells help with nerve damage caused by RA?
Stem cells help regulate the immune system to reduce swelling and inflammation around the impacted nerves, which prevents further damage to the joints. They also promote healthy tissue regeneration to restore joint functionality and movement.
Is stem cell therapy for RA available in the U.S.?
Currently, only mesenchymal stem cell therapy for RA is available in the U.S. The process is only offered at select clinics authorized to perform the procedure on an experimental basis, and a bone marrow transplant is required to extract adult stem cells.
What is the cost of stem cell therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in Mexico?
Stem cell injections in Mexico cost between $1,000 and $1,500. The number of injections received depends on the treatment plan and symptom severity.
How safe are stem cell injections for joints?
Stem cell injections for RA are entirely safe with no known medical side effects. They encourage healing in the body before being disposed of naturally.
Do stem cells work for autoimmune diseases?
Stem cells can treat various autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes (Mohammedsaleh, 2022).
Are there side effects of stem cell therapy for RA?
No, stem cell therapy for RA has no side effects. We only require a minimally invasive skin biopsy to tailor the stem cells to your DNA.
Sources:
Garrick, N. (2022). Rheumatoid arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/rheumatoid-arthritis/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take
Mahnaz Babaahmadi, Behnoosh Tayebi, Nima Makvand Gholipour, Mehrnaz Tayebi Kamardi, Heidari, S., Hossein Baharvand, Mohamadreza Baghaban Eslaminejad, Ensiyeh Hajizadeh‐Saffar, & Hassani, S. (2023). Rheumatoid arthritis: the old issue, the new therapeutic approach. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-023-03473-7
Mohammedsaleh, Z. M. (2022). The use of patient-specific stem cells in different autoimmune diseases. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 29(5), 3338–3346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.02.009
Sarsenova, M., Issabekova, A., Abisheva, S., Rutskaya-Moroshan, K., Ogay, V., & Saparov, A. (2021). Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(21), 11592. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222111592
