FAQs
Q. How long does it take to see effects?
The effects of stem cell therapy vary greatly from person to person, but please expect about 3 months to half a year to feel the effects.
Q. Are there any dietary restrictions before blood sampling?
No dietary restrictions are necessary.
Q. Where are stem cells found?
Somatic stem cells are present in various parts of the body, but research has shown they are particularly abundant in subcutaneous fat. Our clinic adopts a method of collecting cells from subcutaneous fat.
Q. Can I receive stem cell therapy even as I get older?
Our regenerative medical plan (approved by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) targets individuals aged 20 and above. Technically, it is possible to treat elderly patients, but for the very elderly, stem cells may not be able to culture and proliferate sufficiently, so the treatment effect may not be expected.
Q. Can I receive stem cell therapy if I have cancer?
The therapeutic effect of stem cell administration on cancer has not been proven.
Q. I've heard that stem cells might cause cancer; is that true?
Three research groups initially reported that cultured stem cells might cause cancer, but they later published papers stating that "stem cells do not become cancerous even after culturing."
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/329/5995/1004.shortQ. What is the homing effect?
Homing refers to the effect of specific physiological phenomena moving to the necessary location. The effect of stem cells released into the body automatically finding the place where regeneration is needed is called the "homing effect." Stem cells administered intravenously enter the peripheral blood circulatory system, reach the damaged site through the lymph or peripheral blood, adhere to the vascular endothelium, infiltrate the tissue, proliferate, and differentiate into target cells.
Q. Can I get a detailed explanation when receiving stem cell therapy?
We will provide a detailed explanation. It is important to receive thorough explanations from the doctor, ask questions if you have any doubts, and proceed with the treatment after fully understanding and agreeing.
Q. How long does cultured stem cell therapy take? Is the treatment painful?
To receive cultured stem cell therapy, blood and skin tissue are first collected, from which stem cells are extracted and cultured. Culturing takes about a month, after which the stem cells are administered. For IV drip administration, it is done slowly over 40 to 60 minutes. The skin collection is performed under local anesthesia, so expect pain similar to dental treatment. The collected skin is about 5mm in size, and after a month, it will be difficult to tell where it was taken from.
Q. Are the treatments provided at Indiba Clinic approved by the government?
Under the Act on Ensuring the Safety of Regenerative Medicine, treatments approved by the third-party committee review are accepted as treatment plans by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Below are the accepted plans for our clinic (as of July 1, 2024):
Treatment of chronic pain with autologous adipose-derived stem cells PB3240069 JSCSF Regenerative Medicine CommitteeQ. How should I care for myself after surgery?
You can go home immediately after the procedure, the wound is small, and you can shower from the same day, so you can resume your normal daily life. Our group provides care for concerns about wounds and pain and follows up with phone contacts.
Q. Are there any serious complications?
In Japan, there have been cases of pulmonary embolism after stem cell administration (causal relationship unknown), and in the US, there have been reports of blindness due to intraorbital administration. Cell therapy generally carries a risk of pulmonary embolism. Therefore, our clinic carefully implements safety measures in the quality control and administration methods of cells. To date, there have been no reports of serious complications at our clinic.