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First Stem Cell Study For Spinal Injury Approved. New Hope For Back Pain Sufferers Worldwide.

^{Published on 2009-01-26 14:26:11, Last Modified on 2009-11-02 13:01:41 - jason scholder}
 

According to the Associated Press, a U.S. biotech company says it plans to start this summer the world's first study of a treatment based on human embryonic stem cells - a long-awaited project aimed at spinal cord injury. The company gained federal permission this week to inject eight to 10 patients with cells derived from embryonic cells, said Dr. Thomas Okarma, president and CEO of Geron Corp. of Menlo Park, Calif.

In addition, said spinal cord injury researcher Dr. Wise Young of Rutgers University, "a lot of hope of the spinal cord injury community is riding on this trial." In the Geron study, the injections will be made in the spine at the site of damage. The work will be done in four to seven medical centers around the country, Okarma said.

Inventor Jason Scholder has been battling the crippling effects of a bad back for years. Back and spine pain can be excruciating and many sufferers explore Yoga, Pilates, and Chiropractic care to find relief. While waiting for innovative therapies like stem cell injection, Scholder conceived of his Yoga Prop, the Three Minute Egg, as a way to help stretch the back. Health professionals immediately endorsed the product because of its versatility and ergonomic design. Thanks to its unique shape, the Three Minute Egg offers a range of applications never before experienced in the ancient practice of Yoga, as well as Pilates, Chiropractics, and Physical Therapy. People new to Yoga will find the Eggs fun and easy to use. Experienced Yogis will love how quickly their practices deepen, expand, and evolve.

The Three Minute Egg is lightweight, portable, and ideal for healthy people on the go. It is made from medium density foam - chosen specifically because its density creates a perfect combination of comfort and resistance. Each Egg is machine cut and hand sanded to create a textured surface that adheres perfectly to a yoga mat.

Three Minute Egg instructional DVDs provide excellent, well-rounded practices for Yogis of all levels. They are a great way to practice at home and educate people on the proper use and application of the Three Minute Egg.

VIDEO LINK: http://www.threeminuteegg.com/trailer.html

Combining proper Yoga stretching and alignment techniques while waiting for 21st century surgical alternatives to be approved can give back pain sufferers some relief. The Geron animal studies suggest that once injected, the stem cells will mature and repair what is essentially a lack of insulation around damaged spinal nerves, and also pump out substances that nerves need to function and grow.

Apart from assessing safety, investigators will hope to see some signs of improvement in the patient, Okarma said. The idea is "not to make somebody ... get up and dance the next day," he said, but rather to provide some level of ability that can be improved by physical therapy.

Each patient will receive a low dose of anti-rejection drugs for about two months, because after that time the medications shouldn't be needed, Okarma said. The study will follow each patient for at least a year.