New England Stem Cell Institute Blog

When you hear the word “ultrasound,” what picture pops into your head? If you’re like most people, it likely has something to do with expecting parents being able to see their child on a screen in a doctor’s office. While this is the most popular use of ultrasound, it is also a big component of regenerative medicine. With it, a qualified doctor can diagnose and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal injuries to improve daily function and stop chronic pain. How does it work? Find out about some of ultrasound’s lesser-known applications here!

For people healing from injuries like a sprained ankle or partially/fully torn muscle, taking a little time to rest and relax can offer a nice break from the routine…at least initially. Things can quickly get boring, however, and one of the easiest ways to alleviate this is snacking. This can lead to its own set of problems, but fortunately, you can actually leverage your diet to make your recovery quicker and more comfortable. Just make sure your plate is regularly filled with the following items:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.