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As promised, here’s my thread on MY experience and take on stem cell therapy.
A few things:
1. This isn’t an ethical debate on stem cells. Leave your moral judgment out of this thread. This is about healing and stem cells roll in bodybuilding.
2. This isn’t about PRP or Wharton’s Jelly. If you’ve had “stem cell” therapy in the United States you did NOT get real stem cells from the umbilical cord of healthy donors- it is not legal.
Ok now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…
Why did I do it?
Coming off my last show in October I noticed muscle regression in my left arm which stemmed from multiple injuries on that side. I also was having issues with my left shoulder, bicep and hip again which was impeding my training. No way I was pushing back to light heavy weight with my body in that state. Recovery and time can only take us so far as we age.
It was also a bucket list item of mine as someone who studied integrative medicine and works in the field.
As my username implies there are no half measures with me- I am extreme.
I spoke to the top clinics around the world- stem cell institute, Dr. Kahn’s group, CPI, Dream Body, the clinic treating Ronnie Coleman and where I landed- The BioXellerator. A few others as well not worth noting.
Why did I go with them? They have the track record, control the entire process from donor to administering. The stem cells I received were 98% viable- their standard is 95% or greater.
Many of the “cheaper” options get their stem cells shippped frozen from a bank based on pre-booked clients and have a much lower % and lack of control or regulation. This applies to clinics such as Dream Body and where Ronnie goes. They are cheaper for a reason.
IMO BioXellerator or CPI are the only two good options. Both offer hypoxic stem cells which are cells kept at low oxygen environments and have research showing that they are potentially better for healing. For IV purposes I did “Golden Cells” which is the same thing Stem Cell Institute uses, but $10k more. Money was NOT the determining factor as this was cells I was putting into my body- not the time to be cheap.
What was the process- I flew in on Monday and Tuesday morning we hit the ground running with the lead doctor doing a full evaluation head to toe evaluating all current and past injuries so you can adjust the care and areas of injections.
That determines the MRI’s ordered which I did right and left shoulder, as well my full cervical spine. Shoulders had issues- left rotator cuff, minor labyrinth tear on both sides. Spine was perfect. The results were reviewed the following morning first thing with the doctor to adjust any treatments.
From there we went into injections:
Left shoulder
Left bicep
Left hip
Left glute
Left pec minor
Right shoulder
Right tricep
Right lat
Right glute
** I threw in PRP/Stem Cell injections for my scalp and hair as well. I was all in- why not. LOL (this was the most painful part)
*** 240 million total stem cells were administered. 120 million over two IV’s and remainder were injected. Amounts were determined by site and injury severity ranging from 5-20 million each area.
Each injection was guided using ultra sound to find the tear and/or inflammation which the doctor showed you in real time- very cool. There is no numbing- just deep needles and pressure from the injections.
Was it painful? The shots were easy. But 24-48 hours after it hurts as the cells begin to level out with the inflammation and injuries to repair.
They said it could be this way for up to 4 weeks. Movement and ice was key. No advil or NDAID’s as these can disrupt the effect of the stem cells. They gave me pain meds but didn’t touch it. Was like having the injury aggravated for 48 hours- easy stuff. They said the cells heal and repair over the course of 3-4 months from time of injections.
I then got 2 IV’s of the golden cells at 60 million stem cells each. Which were directly after IV drips of their own vitamin mixes. As well, this came after ozone blood therapy. The IV pushed up my BP which was common as many feel like they’re getting the flu after getting the IV of stem cells as they have to balance out with your immune system and code as needed. At first I thought I had made a huge mistake on the IV’s, but once it cleared in 48 hours I felt like I was 20 again.
We did hyperbaric oxygen while there in addition to cryotherapy to boost the effects of the stem cells. As well, finished off with deep tissue work and cupping prior to finishing late that Friday. It was a LONG week of non stop therapies. Other items were included as well not worth noting.
So what is the verdict (so far)- I have NO pain (my left shoulder still catches from the rotator cuff, but no pain), full range of motion regained with arms overhead (this came hours after the injections), my left bicep looks fuller, and I feel like I am 20 years old (I’m almost 35). I had to drop my nebilvol as my RHR was in the 50’s, my HRV went from 30’s to 90’s, BP is 120/70, my oxygen saturation is 99-100% most nights and my recovery hasn’t dropped below 90 even flying across country and running wide open.
The doctor told me to get back to hard training as it would help the cells do their job- I did just that. Just avoid crap food, drinking and the inflammatory items.
Will this last? Sure hope so. But time will tell. I asked the doctor how often guys should get this done and his answer was honest:
Average person- one and done.
Pro level athlete- once a year IV’s and new injuries as needed.
Pro level athlete with active injury- every 6-12 months for injections until tissue heals based on imaging.
This is fair as we hammer our body in training so depends on how we train and what we endure.
But my stance- if I had to pay $10k year to maintain this, I would not even hesitate.
What did this cost? I’ll save guys from asking- it was $30k all in (excluding my flight and meal prep while there). This is why guys go to Dream Body or where Ronnie does as it’s about 60% of that, but you’re going to be constantly going back as Ronnie does due to the viability of the cells.
They had so many pro athlete jerseys signed all over their office along with the endless celebrities and people who had been there. The current Ms. Olympia (bodybuilding) was arriving as I was finishing up.
If you’re going to do it then do it right. But see it through with PT work after. My off day is Thursday and I do PT sessions that day, Neubi, deep tissue work and full extremity chiropractic. It all compounds IMO.
Thats my experience and take. If other guys have gotten it done feel free to share and happy to answer any legitimate questions.
Disclaimers- I wrote this on a plane so apologies for typos. Secondly, this is NOT an endorsement for BioXcellerator. They are one of three good options IMO.
A few things:
1. This isn’t an ethical debate on stem cells. Leave your moral judgment out of this thread. This is about healing and stem cells roll in bodybuilding.
2. This isn’t about PRP or Wharton’s Jelly. If you’ve had “stem cell” therapy in the United States you did NOT get real stem cells from the umbilical cord of healthy donors- it is not legal.
Ok now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…
Why did I do it?
Coming off my last show in October I noticed muscle regression in my left arm which stemmed from multiple injuries on that side. I also was having issues with my left shoulder, bicep and hip again which was impeding my training. No way I was pushing back to light heavy weight with my body in that state. Recovery and time can only take us so far as we age.
It was also a bucket list item of mine as someone who studied integrative medicine and works in the field.
As my username implies there are no half measures with me- I am extreme.
I spoke to the top clinics around the world- stem cell institute, Dr. Kahn’s group, CPI, Dream Body, the clinic treating Ronnie Coleman and where I landed- The BioXellerator. A few others as well not worth noting.
Why did I go with them? They have the track record, control the entire process from donor to administering. The stem cells I received were 98% viable- their standard is 95% or greater.
Many of the “cheaper” options get their stem cells shippped frozen from a bank based on pre-booked clients and have a much lower % and lack of control or regulation. This applies to clinics such as Dream Body and where Ronnie goes. They are cheaper for a reason.
IMO BioXellerator or CPI are the only two good options. Both offer hypoxic stem cells which are cells kept at low oxygen environments and have research showing that they are potentially better for healing. For IV purposes I did “Golden Cells” which is the same thing Stem Cell Institute uses, but $10k more. Money was NOT the determining factor as this was cells I was putting into my body- not the time to be cheap.
What was the process- I flew in on Monday and Tuesday morning we hit the ground running with the lead doctor doing a full evaluation head to toe evaluating all current and past injuries so you can adjust the care and areas of injections.
That determines the MRI’s ordered which I did right and left shoulder, as well my full cervical spine. Shoulders had issues- left rotator cuff, minor labyrinth tear on both sides. Spine was perfect. The results were reviewed the following morning first thing with the doctor to adjust any treatments.
From there we went into injections:
Left shoulder
Left bicep
Left hip
Left glute
Left pec minor
Right shoulder
Right tricep
Right lat
Right glute
** I threw in PRP/Stem Cell injections for my scalp and hair as well. I was all in- why not. LOL (this was the most painful part)
*** 240 million total stem cells were administered. 120 million over two IV’s and remainder were injected. Amounts were determined by site and injury severity ranging from 5-20 million each area.
Each injection was guided using ultra sound to find the tear and/or inflammation which the doctor showed you in real time- very cool. There is no numbing- just deep needles and pressure from the injections.
Was it painful? The shots were easy. But 24-48 hours after it hurts as the cells begin to level out with the inflammation and injuries to repair.
They said it could be this way for up to 4 weeks. Movement and ice was key. No advil or NDAID’s as these can disrupt the effect of the stem cells. They gave me pain meds but didn’t touch it. Was like having the injury aggravated for 48 hours- easy stuff. They said the cells heal and repair over the course of 3-4 months from time of injections.
I then got 2 IV’s of the golden cells at 60 million stem cells each. Which were directly after IV drips of their own vitamin mixes. As well, this came after ozone blood therapy. The IV pushed up my BP which was common as many feel like they’re getting the flu after getting the IV of stem cells as they have to balance out with your immune system and code as needed. At first I thought I had made a huge mistake on the IV’s, but once it cleared in 48 hours I felt like I was 20 again.
We did hyperbaric oxygen while there in addition to cryotherapy to boost the effects of the stem cells. As well, finished off with deep tissue work and cupping prior to finishing late that Friday. It was a LONG week of non stop therapies. Other items were included as well not worth noting.
So what is the verdict (so far)- I have NO pain (my left shoulder still catches from the rotator cuff, but no pain), full range of motion regained with arms overhead (this came hours after the injections), my left bicep looks fuller, and I feel like I am 20 years old (I’m almost 35). I had to drop my nebilvol as my RHR was in the 50’s, my HRV went from 30’s to 90’s, BP is 120/70, my oxygen saturation is 99-100% most nights and my recovery hasn’t dropped below 90 even flying across country and running wide open.
The doctor told me to get back to hard training as it would help the cells do their job- I did just that. Just avoid crap food, drinking and the inflammatory items.
Will this last? Sure hope so. But time will tell. I asked the doctor how often guys should get this done and his answer was honest:
Average person- one and done.
Pro level athlete- once a year IV’s and new injuries as needed.
Pro level athlete with active injury- every 6-12 months for injections until tissue heals based on imaging.
This is fair as we hammer our body in training so depends on how we train and what we endure.
But my stance- if I had to pay $10k year to maintain this, I would not even hesitate.
What did this cost? I’ll save guys from asking- it was $30k all in (excluding my flight and meal prep while there). This is why guys go to Dream Body or where Ronnie does as it’s about 60% of that, but you’re going to be constantly going back as Ronnie does due to the viability of the cells.
They had so many pro athlete jerseys signed all over their office along with the endless celebrities and people who had been there. The current Ms. Olympia (bodybuilding) was arriving as I was finishing up.
If you’re going to do it then do it right. But see it through with PT work after. My off day is Thursday and I do PT sessions that day, Neubi, deep tissue work and full extremity chiropractic. It all compounds IMO.
Thats my experience and take. If other guys have gotten it done feel free to share and happy to answer any legitimate questions.
Disclaimers- I wrote this on a plane so apologies for typos. Secondly, this is NOT an endorsement for BioXcellerator. They are one of three good options IMO.
The hair/head was brutal, but damn my hair is looking good. Lol
. I wasn’t going to call them out, but when the shoe fits…
