Stem cells · 5 min read
What is stem cell therapy and how does it work?
A plain-language guide to mesenchymal stem cells, where they come from and what they can do for joint pain and inflammation.
Short answer
Stem cell therapy uses living cells to help the body manage inflammation and support tissue repair. At Stemlife we use mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) extracted from Wharton’s jelly, the gel inside the umbilical cord. They act mainly by sending signals that calm inflammation, which can mean less pain and better movement in selected patients.
In 30 seconds
- Mesenchymal stem cells work mostly by signalling: they release molecules that modulate inflammation.
- Cells from Wharton’s jelly come from a young tissue, so no cells are taken from your own body.
- A specialist reviews your imaging first to confirm whether your case can benefit.
What are stem cells?
Stem cells are cells that can renew themselves and give rise to other cell types. Mesenchymal stem cells, often shortened to MSCs, are found in tissues such as bone marrow, fat and the umbilical cord. Medicine is interested in them less for their ability to become new tissue and more for what they communicate to the cells around them.
That communication is what researchers call the secretome: proteins and tiny vesicles that tell surrounding tissue to lower inflammation and support repair.
How does the treatment work?
In a joint with osteoarthritis or a chronic tendon injury, persistent inflammation is a big part of what keeps it painful and stiff. MSCs can help modulate that inflammation. When inflammation comes down, many patients notice less pain and more range of motion, which makes everyday activities easier.
The treating physician designs a personalised protocol and decides the dose and the route of application for each case. At Stemlife, the application is done in a single day at Hospital Puerta de Hierro Andares, in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Why cells from Wharton’s jelly?
Wharton’s jelly is the gel-like tissue inside the umbilical cord. It is obtained after a healthy birth, so the cells are young: they have not aged with you. It is also a rich source of mesenchymal stem cells, and you do not need a surgical procedure to harvest cells from your own fat or bone marrow.
What can it help with?
Stemlife treats 15 conditions. The most common are knee and hip osteoarthritis, meniscus and rotator cuff injuries, lower back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis. We also assess systemic conditions, such as autoimmune and metabolic diseases, always as an adjunct to the treatment you already receive.
Clinical trials and recent reviews report improvements in pain and function in selected knee osteoarthritis patients. Results vary from person to person, which is why every case starts with a medical review of your imaging.
Is it safe?
Systematic reviews of clinical studies report a good safety profile for mesenchymal stromal cells, with mostly mild and temporary effects such as a brief fever or tiredness. Safety also depends on where you are treated: a licensed hospital, physicians with a verifiable licence and laboratory quality controls.
Is this for you?
- You have had joint or tendon pain for months and physical therapy or injections did not give lasting relief.
- You want to explore options before considering surgery.
- You have recent imaging (X-ray or MRI) a specialist can review.
Frequently asked questions
Are the cells taken from my body?
No. They are mesenchymal stem cells from Wharton’s jelly of the umbilical cord, so no cells are harvested from you.
How long does the application take?
The application is done in a single day. Most patients plan two to three days in Guadalajara in total.
When will I notice a change?
It varies. Many patients notice changes over the following weeks to months; your physician follows up at 30, 90 and 180 days.
How do I know if I am a candidate?
Send your recent imaging. A specialist reviews it and tells you, at no cost, whether your case is a fit.
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
- ISSCR · A Closer Look at Stem Cells
- Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells: a concise review of their secretome and prospective clinical applications. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2023.
- Efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stem cells in knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025.
- Cell therapy with intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells continues to appear safe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2020.
General educational information. Individual results vary and are not guaranteed.
