Key Takeaways
- Uses your own cells, not donor products. At ISPW, we use only bone marrow stem cells (BMAC) from your own body—no umbilical cord products, no adipose tissue, no third-party donors.
- A non-surgical option to explore. For patients with chronic back pain from disc-related issues, bone marrow stem cell therapy offers a minimally invasive approach to consider before committing to spinal surgery.
- Best suited for mild to moderate conditions. Ideal candidates typically have earlier-stage degenerative changes. Advanced disc collapse, severe stenosis, or spinal instability generally require surgical intervention.
- Gradual response over months. This isn’t a quick fix—the body’s response develops over weeks to months. Results vary significantly by individual.
- Cannot reverse severe degeneration. Bone marrow stem cell therapy may support the disc environment but cannot regrow discs or reverse advanced structural damage.
- Part of comprehensive spine care. Best results often come when combined with appropriate physical therapy, activity modification, and lifestyle factors.
Chronic Back Pain and the Search for Options
Chronic spinal pain from degenerative disc disease affects millions of people, often leaving patients facing difficult choices. Traditional options range from ongoing pain management (medications, injections, physical therapy) to major surgical interventions like spinal fusion.
For some patients with mild to moderate disc-related issues, bone marrow stem cell therapy offers a third path worth exploring—a minimally invasive approach that uses your own cells to potentially support the disc environment before considering surgery.
This guide explains how bone marrow stem cell therapy works for spine conditions, who may be appropriate candidates, what to realistically expect, and how to determine if this approach might be worth considering for your situation.
What Is Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy for Spine Conditions?
Bone marrow stem cell therapy for spine conditions involves harvesting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from your own bone marrow, concentrating them, and delivering them directly into the affected disc under image guidance.
How It Works at Our Clinic:
At Integrated Spine, Pain & Wellness, we use BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate)—your own bone marrow cells harvested from your iliac crest (hip bone), processed in our office the same day, and injected into the affected disc using fluoroscopy guidance for precise placement.
What We Use:
- Your own bone marrow stem cells (BMAC)
- Same-day harvesting, processing, and delivery
- No lab culturing or cell expansion
- Image-guided intradiscal injection for accurate placement
What We Don’t Use:
- Adipose (fat) tissue-derived stem cells
- Umbilical cord blood or tissue products
- Allogeneic (donor) mesenchymal cells
- “Off-the-shelf” donor products
- Lab-cultured or expanded cells
- Third-party exosome products
This distinction matters. Many clinics advertise “stem cell therapy” using products from donors or other sources. At ISPW, you receive only your own bone marrow cells, processed fresh the same day. You know exactly what’s being delivered, with no rejection risk.
How May Bone Marrow Stem Cells Work for Disc Conditions?
Current understanding suggests mesenchymal stem cells may work through several potential mechanisms when delivered to the disc environment:
Paracrine Signaling: MSCs release growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules that may influence the surrounding disc environment. Rather than directly replacing disc tissue, they may help create conditions that support the local cellular environment.
Immunomodulation: Components may help modulate inflammatory responses within the disc—chronic inflammation is a significant factor in disc-related discomfort.
Cellular Communication: MSCs may interact with existing disc cells (nucleus pulposus cells) to potentially support the local tissue environment.
Important Understanding:
Bone marrow stem cell therapy does not regrow discs or reverse degeneration. The primary potential benefit is supporting the disc environment and modulating inflammation—not rebuilding lost disc height or structure. Individual responses vary significantly, and these potential mechanisms don’t guarantee specific outcomes.
Who May Be a Good Candidate?
Not everyone with back pain is an appropriate candidate for bone marrow stem cell therapy. The treatment appears most relevant for certain patient profiles.
Characteristics of Potential Candidates:
- Chronic low back pain primarily from disc-related issues
- Mild to moderate degenerative changes (not severe collapse)
- Pain lasting at least 3-6 months
- Have tried conservative treatments (physical therapy, medications, possibly injections) without adequate relief
- Good overall health
- Looking to explore options before considering spinal surgery
- Realistic expectations about gradual improvement and variable outcomes
Spine Conditions That May Be Considered:
- Degenerative disc disease (mild to moderate)
- Chronic discogenic pain
- Disc-related back pain unresponsive to conservative care
Who May NOT Be Good Candidates:
- Severe disc collapse: Advanced degeneration with significant loss of disc height
- Spinal instability: Conditions requiring mechanical stabilization
- Severe spinal stenosis: Significant narrowing requiring surgical decompression
- Neurological deficits: Weakness, numbness, or bowel/bladder issues requiring urgent intervention
- Active infections
- Those expecting guaranteed results or immediate relief
The Importance of Proper Evaluation:
During your consultation, Dr. Goyle will review your MRI imaging to assess your disc condition and determine whether bone marrow stem cell therapy may be appropriate. Not every patient with back pain is a candidate—honest evaluation is essential.
If your condition has progressed beyond what regenerative approaches can reasonably address, we’ll provide honest guidance and discuss alternatives, including surgical consultation if appropriate.
What Can You Realistically Expect?
Setting appropriate expectations is essential for making good decisions about your care.
What Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy for Spine May Offer:
- A minimally invasive procedure performed as an outpatient
- Use of your own biological materials with no rejection risk
- An option to explore before committing to spinal surgery
- Support for your body’s natural processes in the disc environment
- Gradual response development over weeks to months
What It Cannot Guarantee:
- Specific outcomes or success rates
- That it will work for you specifically
- That you will avoid spinal surgery
- Immediate pain relief
- Regrowth of disc tissue or restoration of disc height
- Reversal of degenerative changes
- Results equivalent to surgery for advanced conditions
Realistic Timeline:
The body’s response to intradiscal stem cell therapy develops gradually:
- First 1-2 weeks: Some patients experience temporary increased discomfort as the injection-related response settles
- Weeks 4-8: Some patients begin noticing gradual changes
- Months 3-6: For patients who respond, this is typically when the most noticeable changes occur
- Months 6-12+: Continued gradual response for some patients
Individual timelines vary significantly. Some patients experience meaningful improvement; others don’t notice significant changes. This isn’t a quick fix—it requires patience as biological processes develop.
Understanding Variable Outcomes:
We want to be transparent: not all patients respond to bone marrow stem cell therapy. Individual outcomes depend on:
- Your specific condition and its severity
- How much viable disc tissue remains
- Overall health and lifestyle factors
- Individual biological response (which we cannot fully predict)
If you proceed with treatment and don’t experience adequate improvement, other options remain available—including other interventional approaches or surgical consultation.
The Treatment Process
If you’re determined to be a good candidate and decide to proceed, here’s what the treatment involves.
Consultation and Evaluation:
Before any treatment, Dr. Goyle conducts a thorough evaluation:
- Review of your complete medical history
- Discussion of your back pain—when it started, what makes it better or worse, how it affects your daily life
- Physical examination
- Detailed review of your MRI imaging to assess disc condition
- Assessment of previous treatments and their results
- Discussion of your goals and expectations
- Honest guidance about whether this approach may be appropriate
The BMAC Procedure for Spine:
If you proceed with treatment:
Step 1: Bone Marrow Aspiration Using local anesthesia for comfort, Dr. Goyle extracts a small sample of bone marrow from your posterior iliac crest (back of your hip bone). Most patients tolerate this well.
Step 2: Processing Your bone marrow sample is processed immediately in our office using specialized equipment to concentrate the mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors. This happens the same day—your cells are never sent to outside laboratories, stored, or cultured.
Step 3: Image-Guided Intradiscal Injection Using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray) guidance, Dr. Goyle delivers the concentrated BMAC directly into the affected disc. This image guidance is essential for accurate placement within the disc space.
The procedure is performed as an outpatient. Most patients return home the same day.
Post-Procedure Guidelines:
- Rest for 1-2 days following the procedure
- Some soreness at the aspiration and injection sites is normal
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) as directed—these may interfere with natural processes
- Follow activity guidelines and restrictions as directed
- Gradually return to normal activities over the following weeks
- Consider physical therapy to support your recovery
- Attend follow-up appointments to monitor your response
- Be patient—responses develop over months, not days
How Does This Compare to Other Spine Treatments?
Understanding how bone marrow stem cell therapy fits among your options helps you make informed decisions.
Compared to Conservative Treatment:
Conservative treatments (physical therapy, medications, activity modification) should typically be tried first. Bone marrow stem cell therapy is generally considered when conservative care hasn’t provided adequate relief—usually after at least 3-6 months of appropriate effort.
Compared to Epidural Steroid Injections:
Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication to the area around spinal nerves, providing temporary relief for some patients. They work through a different mechanism than stem cell therapy. At ISPW, we position steroid injections as short-term bridge treatments, not long-term solutions. Bone marrow stem cell therapy takes a different approach—delivering your own cells to the disc itself.
Compared to Spinal Surgery:
Spinal fusion and other surgical interventions can provide reliable outcomes for appropriate candidates but involve significant recovery time, permanent structural changes, and surgical risks. For patients with mild to moderate disc conditions, bone marrow stem cell therapy offers a minimally invasive option to explore before committing to surgery.
However, stem cell therapy is not a substitute for surgery when surgery is clearly indicated—particularly for:
- Spinal instability requiring stabilization
- Severe stenosis with neurological symptoms
- Advanced disc collapse
- Failed conservative care with progressive neurological deficits
If your condition requires surgical intervention, we’ll be honest about that rather than suggesting regenerative treatment unlikely to provide adequate relief.
Our Complete Approach to Spine Pain
Bone marrow stem cell therapy is one option within our comprehensive approach to spine conditions. Depending on your situation, Dr. Goyle may also discuss:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Another autologous treatment using your own blood, concentrated to increase platelet and growth factor levels. PRP may be used alone or in combination with BMAC for spine conditions.
Regenokine® (Autologous Conditioned Serum)
Dr. Goyle is one of only nine physicians in the United States—and the only doctor in Arizona—offering the Regenokine® Program. This innovative approach processes your own blood to create a serum concentrated with anti-inflammatory proteins that target inflammation at its source.
Regenokine® is the treatment professional athletes like the late Kobe Bryant used. It works through a different mechanism than bone marrow stem cell therapy—focusing on anti-inflammatory proteins rather than stem cells—and may be appropriate for certain spine conditions.
MLS M7 Class IV Laser Therapy
Our state-of-the-art therapeutic laser delivers light energy to support the body’s natural processes and address inflammation. This non-invasive treatment can complement regenerative approaches for spine conditions.
Interventional Procedures
For certain situations, other interventional approaches may be appropriate:
- Epidural steroid injections (positioned as short-term bridge treatment)
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Trigger point injections
Comprehensive Management
Effective spine care often involves multiple approaches:
- Physical therapy and core strengthening
- Posture and ergonomic modifications
- Weight management
- Activity modification
- Regenerative treatments as appropriate
Dr. Goyle will help you develop a comprehensive strategy rather than relying on any single treatment.
Why Choose Integrated Spine, Pain & Wellness for Spine Care
Cleveland Clinic Training
Dr. Ashu Goyle completed his fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic—one of the nation’s premier medical institutions. This rigorous training with world leaders in pain medicine provided expertise in both interventional spine procedures and regenerative approaches.
Double Board Certification
Board-certified in both anesthesiology and interventional pain management, Dr. Goyle demonstrates advanced competency in precise, image-guided spine procedures.
Functional Spinal Unit Approach
Dr. Goyle’s proprietary methodology considers the spine as an integrated functional unit, addressing the interconnected structures that contribute to spinal pain.
Autologous-Only Philosophy
We use only your own biological materials—bone marrow stem cells (BMAC), PRP, and Regenokine®. No third-party donor products, no umbilical cord tissue, no “off-the-shelf” cells. You always know exactly what you’re receiving.
Image-Guided Precision
All spine injections are performed using fluoroscopy guidance to ensure accurate delivery to the intended target.
Exclusive Access
As one of only nine Regenokine® providers nationwide—and the only provider in Arizona—Dr. Goyle offers treatment options unavailable elsewhere in the state.
Honest Evaluation
We don’t treat everyone who asks. We provide thorough evaluation and honest guidance about whether bone marrow stem cell therapy is appropriate for your spine condition—or whether another approach would serve you better.
Phoenix Magazine “Top Doc”
Dr. Goyle has been recognized as a Phoenix Magazine “Top Doc” from 2011-2020.
Is Bone Marrow Stem Cell Therapy Right for Your Spine?
The right decision depends on your individual situation. This approach may be worth exploring if:
- You have chronic back pain primarily from disc-related issues
- Your condition is mild to moderate (not severe collapse or instability)
- Conservative treatments haven’t provided adequate relief after 3-6+ months
- You want to explore minimally invasive options before considering spinal surgery
- You prefer an approach using your own biological materials
- You have realistic expectations about gradual improvement and variable outcomes
- You’re in reasonably good overall health
The Only Way to Know:
The best way to determine whether bone marrow stem cell therapy is appropriate for your spine condition is a consultation with Dr. Goyle. During this visit, we’ll:
- Review your MRI imaging to assess disc condition and severity
- Evaluate your symptoms and how they affect your function
- Discuss your treatment history and goals
- Provide honest guidance about your options
- Set realistic expectations if you’re a potential candidate
If bone marrow stem cell therapy isn’t appropriate for your situation, we’ll explain why and recommend alternatives—whether that’s continued conservative care, other interventional options, or surgical consultation.
Take the Next Step
Don’t let chronic back pain control your life without exploring your options. At Integrated Spine, Pain & Wellness, we provide thorough evaluation and honest guidance to help you make informed decisions about your spine care.
Whether bone marrow stem cell therapy is right for you, or whether another approach would better serve your needs, the first step is a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Goyle.
Contact Integrated Spine, Pain & Wellness today to schedule your evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can stem cell therapy fix my degenerative disc disease?
Bone marrow stem cell therapy cannot “fix” or reverse degenerative disc disease. It may help support the disc environment and modulate inflammation, but it doesn’t regrow disc tissue or restore lost disc height. The goal is to potentially slow progression and address discomfort—not to cure the condition. Dr. Goyle will provide honest guidance about what’s realistic for your specific situation.
Q2. What type of stem cells do you use for spine conditions?
We use only bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC)—stem cells harvested from your own bone marrow, processed fresh in our office, and delivered the same day. We don’t use adipose (fat) tissue, umbilical cord products, “off-the-shelf” donor cells, or any third-party materials.
Q3. Why don’t you use umbilical cord or donor stem cells?
We focus exclusively on autologous (your own) cells. With your own bone marrow, you know exactly what you’re receiving, there’s no rejection risk, and we can ensure cell viability through same-day processing. Third-party products raise questions about what’s actually in them and whether cells remain viable after processing, storage, and shipping.
Q4. How long until I might notice improvement in my back pain?
The body’s response develops gradually. Some patients report temporary increased discomfort initially as the injection response settles, then gradual improvement over the following weeks to months. For patients who respond, the most noticeable changes often occur in the 3-6 month range. Individual timelines vary significantly, and not all patients experience meaningful improvement.
Q5. Will this help me avoid back surgery?
For some patients with mild to moderate disc conditions, bone marrow stem cell therapy may be worth exploring before committing to spinal surgery. However, it’s not a substitute for surgery when surgery is clearly indicated—particularly for spinal instability, severe stenosis with neurological symptoms, or advanced disc collapse. Dr. Goyle will provide honest guidance about what’s realistic for your situation.
Q6. Is the intradiscal injection painful?
The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and under fluoroscopy guidance. Most patients tolerate it well. You may feel pressure during the injection. Some soreness afterward is normal and typically resolves within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Q7. What if stem cell therapy doesn’t help my back pain?
If you don’t experience adequate improvement, other options remain available—including other regenerative approaches like Regenokine®, additional interventional procedures, or surgical consultation. We’ll continue working with you to find the best path forward.
Q8. What is Regenokine® and can it help spine conditions?
Yes, Regenokine® can be used for spine conditions. It’s an autologous conditioned serum that concentrates anti-inflammatory proteins from your own blood. Dr. Goyle is one of only nine physicians in the U.S. offering this treatment—and the only provider in Arizona. It’s the approach the late Kobe Bryant used. Regenokine® works through a different mechanism than stem cell therapy and may be appropriate for certain spine conditions. Dr. Goyle can discuss which approach might be best for your situation.
Q9. How does this compare to epidural steroid injections?
Epidural steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication around the spinal nerves, providing temporary relief. Bone marrow stem cell therapy delivers your own cells directly into the disc itself. They work through different mechanisms. At ISPW, we position steroid injections as short-term bridge treatments, not long-term solutions—our focus is on regenerative approaches for lasting benefit.
Q10. What are Dr. Goyle’s qualifications for spine procedures?
Dr. Ashu Goyle is double board-certified in anesthesiology and interventional pain management with fellowship training from the Cleveland Clinic—one of the nation’s premier medical institutions. He’s been recognized as a Phoenix Magazine “Top Doc” from 2011-2020 and is one of only nine Regenokine® providers in the country—the only one in Arizona. His Functional Spinal Unit Approach considers the spine as an integrated system.
