Stem cells · 3 min read
Is stem cell therapy painful?
What you will feel during the application, in the hours after and over the first few days.
Short answer
Most patients describe the treatment as only mildly uncomfortable. An IV application feels like a needle stick for a drip. A joint injection causes brief pressure, and local anesthetic is used when indicated. Afterwards you may have mild soreness or swelling for a day or two.
In 30 seconds
- IV: a needle stick, like a drip.
- Joint injection: brief pressure.
- Mild soreness for 1–2 days that settles on its own.
What will I feel during the application?
It depends on the route. With an IV, you feel the needle and then nothing: you lie back while the drip runs. With a joint injection, the area is cleaned and numbed first, then you feel short-lived pressure.
And afterwards?
A treated joint may feel swollen or sore for a day or two, like after a workout. After an IV, some people have a mild fever or tiredness that passes. You get written instructions and a contact number.
When should I call?
- A high fever, or one that does not go down.
- Pain that gets worse instead of better.
- Intense redness or heat at the site.
Is this for you?
- You are worried about procedure pain.
- You want to know exactly what to expect.
- You want clear instructions for the days after.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get anesthesia?
Local anesthetic is used for joint injections when indicated. IV applications do not need it.
Can I walk afterwards?
Yes. Relative rest is recommended for the first days.
Can I take painkillers?
Only those your physician recommends; some anti-inflammatories are avoided at first.
When can I get back to normal?
Most people return to light activity within a few days.
Stemlife Clinic at a glance
- Location
- Guadalajara, Mexico · Hospital Puerta de Hierro Andares
- Cells
- Mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton’s jelly (umbilical cord)
- Treatment
- One application in a single day; plan 2–3 days in Guadalajara
- Price
- From USD 5,000, confirmed after a free medical assessment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Guillermo Quezada Navarro · November 2026
Sources
- Cell therapy with intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells continues to appear safe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2020.
- Safety of intravascular administration of umbilical-cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Stem Cells Transl Med. 2026.
General educational information. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.
