The short answer
Chronic back pain has many causes and is rarely solved by a single injection. At YOU Medicine in El Poblado, Medellín, we first look for the source of your pain and review what you have already tried. If it makes sense, we discuss regenerative options such as PRP or stem cells, which remain investigational for the spine: some studies report better pain and function in selected patients, others do not, and no result is guaranteed.
Reviewed by the YOU Medicine medical team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-27. Educational information; it does not replace a medical consultation.
Why your back hurts: common causes
Most episodes of low back pain improve within weeks. Pain lasting more than three months is chronic, and at that point it matters which structure is involved, because treatment changes with the cause.
- Degenerative disc disease: discs lose height and hydration over time and can cause mechanical pain.
- Disc bulge or herniation, with or without a pinched nerve root (sciatica).
- Facet joint osteoarthritis, common after 50.
- Sacroiliac joint pain.
- Muscle, tendon or ligament strain, often from overload.
- Lumbar spinal stenosis, causing leg pain or weakness when walking.
First: rule out red flags
Before any regenerative treatment, causes that need urgent care or a specialist must be ruled out. If you have any of these, go to an emergency department rather than a regenerative clinic:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or saddle area.
- Progressive weakness in one or both legs.
- Fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer with new back pain.
- Pain after a fall or significant trauma.
Treatments that always come first
The foundation of chronic low back pain care is still guided therapeutic exercise, physiotherapy, weight management, pain education and, when indicated, medicines or conventional injections. Sometimes surgery is the right answer. Regenerative therapies do not replace these measures; at best they add to them.
If you have completed several months of good-quality physiotherapy and pain still limits your life, it is reasonable to review the diagnosis with recent imaging and discuss additional options.
PRP for the back: what is known
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from your own blood. In the spine it has been studied mainly in facet joints, the sacroiliac joint, ligaments and, less often, inside the disc. Studies are small and results vary: some patients report less pain for months, others notice no change.
Because it is autologous, the risk of allergic reaction is low, but any injection near the spine carries risks (temporary pain, infection, bleeding) and should be done with sterile technique and image guidance where appropriate.
Stem cells for the disc and spine: what the evidence says
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for discogenic low back pain is investigational. Clinical trials using bone-marrow, fat-derived or umbilical-cord cells have shown improved pain and function in some patients, while other trials found no significant difference from placebo. There is no solid evidence that cells visibly “regrow” a degenerated disc on MRI.
That is why we do not present stem cells as a solution for the spine. If, after your evaluation, they are raised as an option, we explain the proposed cell type, route, product documentation, risks, and why we think it could make sense in your case, or why not.
Who might be a candidate, and who is not
A regenerative option may be considered for people with well-investigated chronic mechanical low back pain who have already completed rehabilitation, have no progressive neurological deficit and hold realistic expectations.
We usually advise against it with significant nerve compression and weakness, spinal instability, active infection, active cancer, pregnancy, uncontrolled bleeding disorders, or when surgery is clearly the better option. In those cases we point you to the right specialist.
How the process works at YOU Medicine
- Send your records: a recent MRI, reports and medication list.
- Medical consultation (in person or by video) to review the source of pain and previous treatments.
- A written plan with alternatives, risks, number of sessions and a personalized quote. No obligation to proceed.
- If you decide to go ahead and are a candidate, an outpatient procedure in El Poblado with informed consent.
- Follow-up over the following weeks and months, coordinated with your physiotherapy.
What records to bring to your consultation
With this information we can tell you before you travel whether an in-person evaluation makes sense or another option is more appropriate.
- A lumbar or cervical spine MRI from the last 12 months, with the radiologist's report.
- Flexion and extension X-rays if you have had them.
- Nerve conduction studies (EMG) if you have tingling or weakness in the legs.
- Reports on previous physiotherapy, injections or surgery, and how you responded.
- Your medication list, especially blood thinners, antiplatelets and anti-inflammatories.
The role of exercise before and after
No injection replaces strong muscles. Low back pain research consistently shows that progressive exercise, trunk and hip strengthening and staying active offer the most long-term protection. That is why any regenerative plan we propose includes a rehabilitation programme, ideally with a physiotherapist you trust back home.
After the procedure you are usually asked to keep activity gentle for a few days, avoid heavy lifting and return to exercise gradually as advised by your doctor.
Risks, recovery and realistic expectations
A temporary flare of pain for a few days after a spinal injection is common. Infection, bleeding or nerve injury are uncommon. Donor-derived cell products carry additional product-specific risks that must be explained in your consent.
When improvement happens it is usually gradual over weeks to months and more likely if you keep up an exercise programme. We track results with pain and function scores, not promises.
Questions to ask any clinic (including us)
In Colombia, INVIMA oversees medicines and biological products, and healthcare providers register in REPS. A general registration does not mean a specific treatment is approved for your condition, and it is not the same as US FDA approval. Always ask for the documentation of the specific product in your plan.
- Is the provider registered in Colombia's REPS (Ministry of Health) and are the doctors listed in ReTHUS?
- Exactly where do the cells or product come from, which laboratory processes them, and what INVIMA documentation exists for that product and use?
- What dose, route and number of sessions are proposed, and why?
- What evidence exists for my specific condition, what is still unknown, and what are the alternatives?
- Who follows me up once I am home, and what happens if there is a complication?
Where we are and how to start
YOU Medicine is at Cl. 10B #35-08, Edificio Santacoloma, Local 2, El Poblado, Medellín. We are open Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00 and Saturday 9:00–13:00 (Colombia time) by appointment, in English and Spanish. If you live outside Colombia you can start with a video consultation and send us your spine imaging and reports before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Can stem cells help a herniated disc?
This is an investigational use. Some studies report less pain in selected patients and others do not. If a herniation compresses a nerve and causes weakness, the priority is assessment by a spine specialist.
Does PRP work for back pain?
Small studies show mixed results in facet joints, sacroiliac joints and ligaments. It may help some people, not everyone. At your assessment we check whether your case matches what has been studied.
Will this help me avoid spine surgery?
We cannot promise that. Some people choose to try a regenerative option before surgery and some still need surgery. If surgery is the right step, we will tell you.
How much does treatment for back pain cost?
It depends on the area, technique and number of sessions. After reviewing your imaging we send a written personalized quote.
Do I need an MRI?
In most cases, yes. A recent MRI helps identify the source of pain and decide whether a regenerative option makes sense.
How long should I stay in Medellín?
It depends on the plan. For an outpatient procedure a few days is often enough, including a review before you fly. We confirm the schedule with you before you book flights.
Is stem cell therapy legal in Colombia?
In Colombia, INVIMA oversees biological products and providers register in REPS. Status depends on the specific product and use, and it is not the same as FDA approval. Ask us for the documentation of the product in your plan.
Can this help neck pain?
The neck is assessed the same way as the lower back: diagnosis first. There are fewer studies of regenerative options in the cervical spine, and we will explain what is reasonable in your case.
Where to find us
Cl. 10B #35-08, Edificio Santacoloma, Local 2, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
Monday to Friday 8:00–17:00; Saturday 9:00–13:00 (Colombia time)
Sources and official resources
- FDA: Important patient and consumer information about regenerative medicine therapies
- ISSCR: A Closer Look at Stem Cells (patient guide)
- INVIMA (Colombia): medicines and biological products
- MedlinePlus: Back pain
- PubMed: mesenchymal stem cells and intervertebral disc studies
- ClinicalTrials.gov: mesenchymal cell trials in low back pain
Want to know whether a regenerative option makes sense for your back?
Send us your imaging on WhatsApp. A physician reviews your case and explains the options, including non-regenerative ones.