There are gray areas within the larger stem cell sphere or as I called it in a recent paper “the stem cell ecosystem“, but chiropractors doing stem cell transplants is not one of them. This is unethical and risky on many levels, but the number of chiropractors selling stem cells is increasing rapidly nonetheless. Chiropractors who are selling stem cells should stop and their organizations should prohibit it. The money involved makes it likely that somehow they will have to be forced to stop.
Interestingly, if you search for “chiropractor stem cells” on Google the range of images and websites linked to (see collective image above) include both chiropractic stem cell clinics and skeptics including one image of a duck, which you can probably guess the implication intended from that by that website, Science-Based Medicine. Dr. Chris Centeno’s Regenexx blog also shows up a few times as he is an outspoken critic of chiropractors selling birth-related materials, as I’ve covered in the past.
Why do I believe it is so bad that some chiropractors are doing supposed stem cell transplants? There are several key reasons.
Stem cells are foreign to chiropractic philosophy
First of all, chiropractic medicine is focused on spine and musculoskeletal manipulations. The practitioners also do not have medical degrees and are not simply a different kind of physician. The idea of injecting a biological product into a patient’s blood stream or a joint, etc. would seem foreign to chiropracty and that raises risks for patients.
Lack of training
Second, chiropractors generally aren’t rigorously trained in stem cells. What relevant training do they have? In many cases, none. In other cases, it is likely “quickie” pseudo-training received from the suppliers of sketchy stem cell products like amniotic and other birth-related tissue cells sold as “stem cells.” In other words, with few exceptions a chiropractor handling stem cells is going to be out of their depth.
Treating diseases outside their realm
Third, chiropractors who are selling stem cells are more regularly treating patients with specific illnesses that are far outside their area of chiropractic expertise. Should these folks be injecting stem cells into patients with MS, Alzheimer’s, autism, pulmonary disease, heart disease, etc.? No way. They aren’t experts or specialists in these diseases. They don’t have the know-how to follow up properly, including for potential side effects.
Suppliers and possible profits are main drivers
Finally, it seems to me that the suppliers of the uncertain birth-related products that chiropractors are most often using are a main driver of this phenomenon. I don’t think chiropractors are generally spontaneously going, “Gee, we should use stem cells to better help our patients!” Rather it is the suppliers of the products who are saying, “Gee, you guys can make a lot of money this way.” For instance, supplier Liveyon recently focused a lot of emphasis on potential profit for those who use their upcoming new product. Their past “stem cell” product, recently recalled by the FDA due to contamination, was used by some chiropractors.
Overall, chiropractors and their state regulatory boards should stop this. It is not in the best interests of patients. Even if some chiropractors are using unapproved stem cell drugs I kind of doubt the FDA will do anything, but the chiropractic boards should and the FTC should step in as well.
Rational, sensible comment. I may need to rethink my stance!
I’ve also read the cells are dead but if they are, who is the one acting in bad faith, the people who sell the stem cells to the doctors or the chiros selling the tx to the patient (assuming the chiro thinks they’re viable cells)?
Both
As a practicing chiropractor, I can tell you that it all depends on your state board and what you’re licensed to do. What a silly response from an allegedly educated person. Keep the war of professions going, it is certainly in the best interest of the patient in the sickest country in the world.
This is the most ignorant thing I’ve seen published in a long long time. The reasoning:
1.) Chiropractic is “foreign” to chiropratic philosophy. Really? I though chiropractic was about the body healing itself. Stem cells are at the very root of healing. And are you telling me that chiropractic philosophy has nothing to do with joints and pain? Give me a break.
2.) Lack of training? What world do you live in? This is not rocket science. The stem cells are injected and they migrate to the inflimation. But nobody gets into stem cells without training. Think they are idiots who want to get sued? Some stats would be nice. How does the author know nobody is getting trained? Talk about just making stuff up!
3.) Treating such diseases is outside their realm. See #1. Chiropractic is about helping those in pain. Stem cell therapy has an 85%+ satisfaction rate. The proof is in the patient response. I suspect stem cell therapy has a higher satisfaction rate than most back and pain clinics. Stem cells heal from the inside out.
Regen medicine is the future of chiropractic. Think sending those with worn out joints are better served by sending them to a surgeon to go under the knife? How’s this? Go to clinicaltrials.gov and type in stem cells. Stem cells are so promising, they are being studied in over 7,000 clinical trilas.
If you’d like an intelligent discussion about setting up regen medicine, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the experts and chiropractors who know.
The amniotic stem cells are dead,that doesnt mean the treatment has no value. The growth factors, prp, and hyaluronic acid combo used works real good for most people. It does get tissue regrowth. It is kinda sketchy in that the cells are dead, however, the surgery to harvest live cells from your own body is no joke. The combining of chiropractic and medical for strategic advertising has no bearing on the outcomes. Pretty soon you will see stem cells on every corner like CBD, most dentists already use them, it is not as complicated as it sounds.
Amniotic stem cells are a scam. The product these chiropractors are using are dead biological samples. There are no stem cells. It’s horrifying how the public is being duped, and it’s disgusting that the state boards are doing nothing to stop it.
ManyChiropractors also are very well versed in functional medicine nutrition acupuncture and the laying on of the hands. And have more tools to help the sick and suffering than MOST MDs.
as as NP, I can say that chiropractors can not legally do any medical procedures as injections or handling needles or syringes and medications. that is practicing medicine without a license and is a FELONY and they can lose their licenses and go to prison.
Hi Nancie,
The system they use is to have an MD or DO do the actual injections on the chiropractic patients. Still seems like not doing justice to their patients.
I’m extremely torn when it comes to this whole “stem cell debate”, but I can definitely agree that chiros shouldn’t be the ones injecting them. As you said, their practice is supposed to be around spinal manipulations, and I think they should stick to their area of expertise.
I’m suddenly barraged by offers of free meals in exchange for listening to stem cell therapy sales pitches. The Chiro shows up to introduce himself- takes NO questions. Turns the pitch over to 2 sales people who show a slide show and then urge you to pay for a deep discounted medical interview at the chiropractors office. Chiropractors are not MDs. They cannot inject, prescribe medication nor offer anything beyond the constraints of their practice. This is a scheme to relieve you of your money. Stick with your doctor. He cares about ya.
Some chiros team up with MD’s in multi discipline practices and offer legit stem cell therapy, the chiros don’t inject the MD’s do, get over it. Just like practices owned by chiros who employ MD’s who do pain or injections the md does the injection. Perfectly legal and actually much easier for the patient, doesn’t have to run all over the place or wait, can do Pt chiro and medical all at once.
What do you consider a legit stem cell therapy? Any real evidence it does patients good and is safe? I doubt it.
I personally know 2 people who went to A Clinic in Pitssburgh run by one of the pioneers in Stem Cell Therapy who absolutely improved dramatically. Results do vary but this is all explained up front. It has to be done properly, do your research, no Chiros inject anything , it’s not allowed under their license, only MD’s. The best therapy for degenerative conditions is Ketogenic Eating, nutritional therapies, acupuncture, manipulation- you prepare the system for success, you set the table, get your physiology in order, detox, repair, then and only then, the stem cell therapy can have a better chance.
Of course you personally know people who have had dramatic improvement. Well I happen to have a mother who paid $16,000.00 and hasn’t had any results nine months ago! But for another 10 grand she can get results for sure. Lol a gentle man same clinic same 12,000.00 stated the same exact day as my mother hasnt seen any results either. SCAM! I SAY!
Guys, relax. Everyone getting treatments for ANYTHING signs consent forms etc and there are never guarantees in medicine and this includes PT, dental, chiro etc. Guarantees have never been given in medicine because its impossible to guarantee how someone will respond. In fact, medicine really is “guess work in a white coat.”
People who undergo stem cell therapy fully know its not guaranteed to work. For it to work alot of things have to happen such as they need to clean up the diet, detox, and do some homework and many don’t. Its not the providers fault when the patient doesn’t follow pre and post instructions. Most don’t. Your dentists says to floss. Do you? Be honest…..about 90% don’t floss.
Someone with back pain can do 99 PT treatments and not feel better. Why? Well maybe the underlying cause is they weigh too much and they didn’t lose the weight needed and advised by the PT and doctor, this isn’t the providers fault.
I mean, what do family doctors know about the gym and training? Not much, for real, they really don’t. They aren’t trained in this. But yet they give advice on the gym all the time. They have PT’s sometimes in their offices – they arent PT’s so why can they refer to a PT? Its common sense really.
I think its fair that if a chiro has been trained in what stem cells are, how they work, and how it can help their patients, then why can’t they offer that service to the patient when the service is performed by a trained medical professional. I mean, PT isn’t part of an MD’s education in med school but they recognize when a patient can benefit from that therapy and they refer the patient to PT. It’s the same thing for a chiro referring for stem cells.
Man, american’s are so sensitive these days.