Dr Frances Pitsilis - What is Regenerative Medicine?

I perform several forms of Regenerative Medicine in my clinic, so I thought I would give you some interesting information about what I do.

Within medicine and scientific research, there is as yet no fully accepted definition of Regenerative medicine. It will depend on where you come from. For example, if you are a cell biologist, your definition may be ..”.. a branch of translational research in tissue engineering and molecular biology which deals with the process of replacing, engineering or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function".

If you look it up in a dictionary, you will get words like regrowth, repair, restoration, reproduction, replacement …of lost or injured parts. There is also reference to restoration of ability and function.

Most doctors actually practice regenerative medicine. I likes to think that what I already do in reference to Regenerative Medicine is that Ihelp to restore and repair damaged or lost cells, function and ability. I am restoring health and quality of life to that person.

I wanted to bring this topic to your attention because there are several more advanced forms of Regenerative Medicine that are accessable now in New Zealand.

Wherever possible, all the usual methods are used for these problems, but when I have run out of options, these treatments can make a real difference to the persons quality of life.

Beyond the usual diet and correction of deficiencies to help restore health and function, there are the following treatments.

Botulinum Toxin (Dysport®) therapy for:

• Migraine/ Tension headache
• Tennis Elbow
• Muscle spasms
• Occupational Overuse Syndrome/ RSI

Many of the Cosmetic doctors can help with this treatment.

Low Level Laser therapy
After we got the laser machine many years ago in the clinic, I researched the gentle laser component of it that was to be used for collagen production and facial redness and rejuvenation. We also use it also for Rosacea, stretch marks and acne.

I learnt that when used at a low level, our laser can and has successfully treated the following:

• Soft tissue injuries like muscle sprains
• Bruises
• Tendinitis eg tennis elbow
• Joint pains and arthritits
• Non - healing wounds and ulcers
• Kills skin funguses eg Tinea Versicolor
• Kills fungal toenails

The low level laser does this because we know that light wavelengths heal. It increases energy production in cells so they heal and operate better. It reduces inflammation and inflammatory messengers. It promotes healing. And its quite a comfortable treatment to have.

A small number of Cosmetic clinics have this type of laser. However, some physiotherapy clinics offer Laser treatment.

Platelet Rich Plasma
I was one of the first to use this treatment cosmetically to increase collagen production, reduce pores and tighten the skin. However, when I researched it, I found that it has been used for many years to help in orthopedics, plastic surgery and dentistry.

Now we use it in the clinic for large joint arthritis and joint and tissue repair.

We can also use it for:

• Tennis elbow and tendinitis
• Non healing wounds
• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• Shoulder joint inflammation and pain.

It has been injected into knees and shoulders in our clinic with good results.

This is because platelets give out growth factors to potentially repair inflamed tissues, tendons and cartilage.

Until recently, there have only been small studies published about this treatment. However, a recent study showed that it was more effective than placebo at helping knee arthritis.

The treatment is safe, because we are using your own platelets.

Some of the Sports Doctors are starting to use this treatment now.

Combination therapy
You can now see that some conditions can be helped by several of our Regenerative Medicine treatments:

Tennis elbow - low level laser, botulinum toxin, Platelet rich plasma

Joint arthritis and pain - low level laser, Platelet rich plasma

And many other combinations.

Adult Stem cell therapy
This is the use of your own stem cells for health benefit. We are the second clinic in New Zealand to offer this treatment and have performed 5 cases to date. There are 3 clinics in New Zealand who offer this.

My journey to research, design and get the treatment into the clinic safely has cost us around two years of hard work. This was mainly so that we didn’t get involved with organizations that wanted us to pay them expensive training fees and royalties. Now we can offer the treatment at a more affordable price to our patients.

Some of the results have included – grey hair starting to turn brown, improved name recall, reduced stress, significantly improved osteoarthritis, improved sleep, improved ability to think, improved ability to see colours, improved ability to tolerate alcohol.

Reseachers have reported other benefits that seem to be individual, like improved vision and other quality of life indicators.

This treatment must be regarded as experimental, and in our clinic, it is reserved for patients as a last resort treatment where inflammation is part of the problem. In small research studies, it has been shown to help some patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There is future promise for chronic lung disease and diseases that are inflammatory in nature, like autoimmune diseases eg Multiple Sclerosis

There are large studies now going on in the USA to give us a better idea of what this treatment can do. At a recent workshop Dr Pitsilis attended overseas, she were told that the treatment lasts 6-8 months. The patient who’s hair is turning brown is at the 8 month point and it still seems to be turning brown. The patient who has reported improved name recall is at the 12 month point and is still doing well.

This treatment is safe, ethical and legal, because we are using your own stem cells that are harvested from your own fat.

Any person wishing to have this treatment can Google stem cell treatment and find the other two clinics.

If a person wishes the treatment in my clinic they need to be an existing patient of mine or a new patient who is prepared to work with me to optimize their health first. This is because I wish to optimize health first (using my programme) as it may improve the condition without stem cell therapy. If not, optimizing health first may improve the outcome of Adult stem cell therapy. As far as I know, we are the only stem cell clinic in New Zealand that does this optimization first.