• In November 2014, Rafael Nadal’s Doctor announced the 14-time Grand Slam winner will receive stem cell treatment on his ailing back.

• Nadal experienced severe back pain during the final of the Australian Open in January when he lost to Stan Wawrinka. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro told The Associated Press “we are going to put cells in a joint in his spine” next week in Barcelona.

• Nadal has a problem typical in tennis with a back joint, he had it at the Australian Open, and we have decided to treat it with stem cells,” Ruiz-Cotorro said. He said Nadal is expected to return to training in early December 2014.

• Nadal’s fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, center of the Chicago Bulls, received stem cell treatment on his knee in 2013.

Many professional athletes are turning to autologous stem cell treatment. It’s no surprise as the downtime is significantly shorter and for most, a lot more effective than surgery. One of the most talked about cases in the U.S.A. is Payton Manning (pictured above). As a quarterback in the National Football League, Manning suffered a number of hits that led to a herniation in one of the discs in his neck. Unable to throw, he had to sit out an entire season trying to rehabilitate his neck with surgeries and rest. In 2011 Manning decided to travel to Europe and there he had his own stem cells injected into his neck in an attempt to heal the disc and nerves. Soon afterwards, within a couple of months, he began throwing again. His sporting career continues to thrive and he has been playing ever since. In 2013, at the age of 37, Manning showcased the best season ever for an NFL quarterback and his 2014 season has also been very impressive.

Stem cell treatment is considered perfectly legal by many professional sports leagues. Treatments do however vary and full stem cell replacement treatment remains very restricted in the U.S.A. due to FDA regulation. Many Physicians and Health Practices here in the U.S.A. provide platelet rich plasma therapy and not full stem cell treatment. They are different procedures. Stem cell therapy is the gold standard. Anyone seeking full adult stem cell treatment should always check the credentials of the Doctor, the Clinic and always speak to patients who have received the same treatment administered by the same Doctor.

Why are so many athletes turning to stem cell treatment?

• It is non invasive.

• It is an outpatient procedure with virtually no downtime.

• There is almost no risk of rejection as it involves using the patient’s own stem cells.

• Despite some continued skepticism (i.e. often from those who are misinformed or those who push an alternative agenda for the wrong reasons), adult stem cell clinical studies, research, reviews and testimonials provide compelling evidence.

As biologic research continues to improve, the U.S.A will become more accepting of stem cell treatments. Athletes will be able to recover from injury more quickly than ever before and not have to travel overseas to receive treatment. Leading Sports Physician, Doctor James Andrews tells Sports Illustrated: “We have had one big revelation in sports medicine over the last 50 years, and that was the arthroscope. I’ve been looking for the next wave, and I think the biologics, particularly stem cell therapy and enhancement of the healing properties, will be it.”