Stem Cell Injections in Folsom
A cell-based injection option considered for chronic joint, tendon, and spine conditions confirmed on imaging — placed under imaging guidance, in a single outpatient visit.
- No surgery, no general anesthesia
- Same-day, in-office procedure
- Investigational — not FDA-approved
Most evaluations are scheduled within 48 hours.
What a stem cell injection involves
A cell-based product, placed under imaging guidance.
A cell-based injection, prepared to protocol
Stem cell therapy uses a cell-based product, prepared according to a specific protocol, injected into a joint, tendon, or spinal structure identified on your imaging. The exact source and preparation method vary by provider and protocol — your provider will walk through the specifics of your procedure at your evaluation.
Conditions we evaluate this option for
Select an area below for details specific to that condition, including symptoms, candidacy, and what the procedure involves.
Back Pain
Chronic disc and facet joint conditions confirmed on lumbar imaging.
See treatment detailsNeck Pain
Chronic cervical disc and facet joint conditions confirmed on imaging.
See treatment detailsJoint Pain
Knee, hip, shoulder, and other major joints with structural changes on imaging.
See treatment detailsWhat candidacy actually depends on
This is confirmed by imaging and history at an in-person evaluation — not from this page, and not from symptoms alone.
If you’re not a candidate, we’ll say so. This isn’t a treatment we fit everyone into regardless of history or imaging findings.
- A structural condition confirmed on imaging — candidacy isn’t based on symptoms alone
- Conservative treatments, and often other injection types, already tried
- No active infection at or near the treatment site
- No untreated cancer, or clearance from an oncologist if there is a history
- Not pregnant or breastfeeding
- A clear understanding that this is investigational and not FDA-approved
Three steps from evaluation to follow-up
Imaging review
Your MRI or X-ray is reviewed with you to confirm the specific structure involved and whether this option is appropriate for your situation.
Guided injection
A cell-based product, prepared according to your provider’s specific protocol, is injected under imaging guidance into the identified structure.
Follow-up monitoring
Written aftercare instructions and a schedule of follow-up visits to check in on the treated area.
Stem cell injections, answered honestly
No, not for orthopedic conditions. Stem cell therapy for joints, tendons, and the spine is considered investigational, and no provider can legitimately claim FDA approval for these uses. Be cautious of any clinic that suggests otherwise.
They’re considered for chronic joint, tendon, and spine conditions confirmed on imaging, typically after conservative treatments or other injection types haven’t resolved the problem, or for more advanced structural changes. The specific conditions we see most often are covered on the pages linked above.
PRP uses concentrated platelets from your own blood. Prolozone uses an oxygen-ozone and nutrient injection. Stem cell therapy uses a cell-based product prepared according to a specific protocol. Many patients try PRP or Prolozone first, with stem cell therapy considered afterward or for more advanced cases — though the right sequence depends on your specific imaging and history.
It’s an outpatient visit: the treatment site is confirmed from your imaging, the cell-based product is prepared according to your provider’s protocol, and it’s injected under imaging guidance. Most visits take under two hours, and you go home the same day.
As with any injection, there’s a risk of infection, bleeding, or discomfort at the injection site. Because this is an investigational use, the evidence base for specific outcomes is still developing, and no provider can guarantee a result. Your provider will go through the specific risks relevant to your procedure at your evaluation.
Generally not. Stem cell injections are typically paid out of pocket, though portions of diagnostic imaging may be billable separately. Full pricing is provided in writing before anything is scheduled.
Start with your imaging, not a guess
Book a consultation with our Folsom naturopathic team to review your imaging and get a straightforward answer on whether this option fits your situation.
Bring your MRI or X-ray if you have it — we’ll review it with you.
Medical disclaimer: The information on this page is for general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Stem cell therapy for orthopedic and spine conditions is not FDA-approved to cure, treat, or prevent any disease, and its use for these purposes is considered investigational. This page does not claim or imply any specific outcome, timeline, or comparison of results to surgery or any other treatment. Individual results vary and no outcome is guaranteed. Candidacy is determined only after an in-person evaluation with a licensed provider.