New England Stem Cell Institute Blog

4 Easy Exercises For People with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

August 3, 2021

person with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome stretching fingers

One of the best things you can do if you suffer a musculoskeletal injury is simply rest—give the affected part of the body the time it needs to heal. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially for those with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Often, the problem is connected to work or sports, and taking time off isn’t always an option. Thankfully, there are a few simple exercises you can do to proactively handle the condition, and we’re going to share 4 of the most effective ones today.

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How to Handle the Immediate Aftermath of a Muscle Tear

July 12, 2021

man holding arm due to muscle tear

Snap. As soon as it happens, you realize that you’ve just torn a muscle. In an ideal world, you would be able to quickly go see a doctor. But, because muscle tears are typically not considered an emergency, it may take a day or two before you can schedule an appointment. However, you don’t have to just sit and suffer in the meantime. Here are the top 3 ways to handle a muscle tear immediately afterward.

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How Stem Cell Therapy Can Help Repair Damaged Knees

June 29, 2021

man getting stem cell injection for knee pain

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition where a joint slowly loses the cartilage that enables it to function properly. While it can manifest in any joint, it often appears in the knees, and can be very disruptive to someone’s life. Over the past few decades, stem cell injections have been used to treat a litany of musculoskeletal problems, but what can they do for knee pain due to osteoarthritis? Could stem cells be exactly what you need to finally get relief? Read on to learn more.

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How to Quickly Recover From a Rotator Cuff Injury

May 16, 2021

man looking at phone while working at home

The most effective way to deal with a rotator cuff injury is to see a doctor, of course, but the bulk of your recovery time won’t be spent in their office, but rather at home. This provides a big opportunity to speed up the healing process so you can get back to feeling and moving like your old self again. Below, you’ll find a few simple ways to get better faster when dealing with a rotator cuff tear.

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Can Osteoarthritis Cripple You?

February 26, 2021

man looking out window worried about osteoarthritis

One of the key elements of osteoarthritis (OA) is that it is a degenerative condition, which essentially means that it will not go away on its own. Once a joint starts to lose cartilage because of OA, the only way to stop it is with joint replacement surgery. To avoid this invasive procedure, most patients opt to preserve the health of the joint with more conservative methods. But on a long enough timeline, can OA ultimately cripple you and leave you unable to move? This is a common worry among patients, and one that is going to be addressed directly in today’s blog.  

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Are Pushups Bad for Your Rotator Cuff?

December 14, 2020

person doing pushup against a wall?

With thousands of gyms being closed around the country, working out at home has become the best option for most people to stay active and fit. One of the most popular exercises is also one of the simplest, the pushup. It offers many benefits, in that it can strengthen multiple muscles with one movement, improve balance, and requires no equipment. But, if you’re concerned about your rotator cuff or have experienced an injury in the past, should you avoid pushups? Are they doing more harm than good? We share everything you need to know in today’s blog.

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Top 3 Foods to Avoid if You Have Osteoarthritis

September 22, 2020

woman with osteoarthritis rejecting fried chicken

Osteoarthritis involves a gradual loss of joint cartilage, leading to more friction between the bones that creates inflammation in the adjacent muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This is the root source of the pain and stiffness associated with the condition. There are several ways a person can lessen inflammation throughout their body to make their OA easier to manage, and one of the simplest is slightly adjusting the diet. By avoiding the following 3 foods, a person can help themselves feel more comfortable and be more mobile day to day.

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Heat or Cold: Which is Better for Osteoarthritis?

September 9, 2020

hot or cold?

For millions of Americans dealing with osteoarthritis, the quickest and most convenient solution isn’t to call their doctor or even take medication, but rather apply heat or cold to the afflicted joint. These methods have been used by doctors, patients, athletes, coaches, and trainers for decades, but a simple question remains: Is one better than the other? If you’re hoping to relieve pain, reduce swelling, and improve mobility, should you go with heat or cold? We offer the definitive answer in today’s blog.

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What Does It Feel Like to Have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

May 24, 2020

man with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome holding wrist

Millions of people around the world experience some kind of hand and wrist pain daily, but a very small number actually have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Everything from a bad fall to simply sleeping with your hand in an awkward position can lead to symptoms similar to CTS, but there are a few telltale signs that distinguish the condition. If any of the following sounds familiar, be sure to consult a doctor right away.

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What Are Stem Cells & What Can They Do?

December 20, 2019

stem cells

If you’ve watched the news or been on the internet in the past 10 years, then you’ve likely heard the term “stem cells.” Scientists and doctors around the world are claiming they can be used to heal all sorts of chronic and acute conditions ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome to back pain to tendon/ligament injuries, but this begs a basic question: What are stem cells? What makes them so special? In today’s blog, we get down to basics and discuss why stem cell therapy is creating so much excitement in the realm of regenerative medicine.

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