FAQs - Sahaj Therapy®

What is OA –Osteoarthritis?

It is a degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints. It generally affects larger weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, etc. having a common reason for pain i.e. Cartilage Damage. The wearing down of the protective tissue at the ends of bones (cartilage) occurs gradually and worsens over time. In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and problems moving the joint. As OA worsens over time, bones may break down and develop growths called spurs. Bits of bone or cartilage may chip off and float around in the joint. In the body, an inflammatory process occurs and cytokines (proteins) and enzymes develop that further damage the cartilage. In the final stages of OA, the cartilage wears away and bone rubs against bone leading to joint damage and more pain.

How OA may Affect Overall Health?

The pain, reduced mobility, side effects from medication and other factors associated with osteoarthritis can lead to negative health effects not directly related to the joint disease. Knee or hip pain may lead to a sedentary lifestyle that promotes weight gain and possible obesity. Being overweight or obese can lead to the development of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Side effects from medications used for pain relief such as Analgesics, Steroids etc can also leads to produce damage to vital body organs such as liver, kidney etc. Narcotic pain relievers or steroids can cause people to feel dizzy, unbalanced and leads to addiction of it.

What are Grades/ Stages of Osteoarthritis?

This is basically categorized into four classes based on severity, Grade of Cartilage damage and degree of deformity. Grade 1, 2,3 & 4.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis vary, depending on which joints are affected and how severely they are affected. However, the most common symptoms are pain and stiffness, particularly first thing in the morning or after resting. Affected joints may get swollen, especially after extended activity. These symptoms tend to build over time rather than show up suddenly. Some of the common symptoms include:

Sore or stiff joints – particularly the knees and Hips – after inactivity or overuse.

• Limited range of motion or stiffness that goes away after movement
• Clicking or cracking sound when a joint bends
• Mild swelling around a joint
• Pain made worse by prolonged activity and relieved by rest.
• Increased pain associated with cold temperature and high humidity
• Pain that is worse after activity or toward the end of the day

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

This is a slow progression disease often, symptoms come on gradually over weeks to months. Over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.

Most commonly, the wrist and hands are involved, with the same joints typically involved on both sides of the body. In this body's immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs also.

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects joint linings i.e. Cartilage causing painful swelling.

How RA may Affect Overall Health?

If not modulated disease may also affect other parts of the body.

This may result in a low red blood cell count, inflammation around the lungs, and inflammation around the heart. Fever and low energy may also be present.

What is AVN?

Avascular necrosis (AVN), also called osteonecrosis, bone infarction, aseptic necrosis, and ischemic bone necrosis, is cellular death (necrosis) of bone components due to interruption of the blood supply. Without blood, the bone tissue dies and the bone collapses. If avascular necrosis involves the bones of a joint, it often leads to destruction of the joint articular surfaces or Cartilage.

As the condition worsens, your affected joint may hurt only when you put weight on it. Eventually, the joint may hurt even when you're lying down. Pain can be mild or severe and usually develops gradually. Pain associated with avascular necrosis of the hip may be focused in the groin, thigh or buttock.

What do you mean by AVN (Avascular Necrosis of hip)?

Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Also called osteonecrosis, avascular necrosis can lead to tiny breaks in the bone and the bone's eventual collapse. The blood flow to a section of bone can be interrupted if the bone is fractured or the joint becomes dislocated.

How is SVF- Sahaj Therapy beneficial in Arthritis?

SVF procedure – Sahaj Therapy will not only get patient rid from sever joint pain but save your natural joint by controlling degeneration and regeneration misbalance and provides a Biological Solution for Biological Problem.

It also allows you freedom from long term regular utilization of steroids and analgesics/ pain killers which may leads to serious issues such as damage to vital body organs like liver, kidney etc.

For How Long Does Sahaj Therapy Work in Arthritis?

A patient treated with ‘SVF Technology’ will obtain on average of 80% improvement in pain and mobility from degenerative joint disease. We have observed a demonstrated efficacy with SVF for 7 years and continuing.

Is it a stem cell procedure?

No. It is not a stem cell procedure. Sahaj Therapy is autologous SVF grafting done in a single surgical sitting, without use of an enzyme or a culture.

Are there any side effects?

Besides an initial pain at the injection site, the patient will not experience any discomfort. Few patients have developed a minor fever, headache, nausea or vomiting after the treatment. However, these side effects have never lasted more than three days and usually get resolved within 24 hours. No long-term negative side effects have been reported.

How SVF Technology treats your Joints Pain?

SVF is heterogeneous mixture of cells which act by modulating immune responses and regenerating cartilage, the root cause of Arthritis.

How long does it take to recover?

Rest is a vital part of the recovery process. We firmly recommend you rest at home for the following 48 hours after treatment and continue to relax for the following week. It is suggested that you take a week off from work to allow your treated area to recover completely.  You will also need to refrain from exercise for 8 weeks after treatment.

Who do you think is the right patient for SVF technology (age, radiological grade and comorbidities) to receive maximum benefit?

Osteoarthritis patient aged 40-60 years and falling in the radiological grades 1-3 (early to moderate) will gain maximum benefits from Sahaj Therapy® procedure. Early intervention with a regenerative treatment will relieve symptoms and help arrest the progression of arthritis.

Are there any contraindications, side effects or complications reported with the treatment?

Pregnancy, Gout, very low BMI’s (>16) are the conditions where Sahaj Therapy® is contraindicated. No major side effect or complications has been observed or reported in patient undergoing Sahaj Therapy®. Some patients might experience mild pain & redness at the injection site which subsides over time.

How many patients have been benefitted by Sahaj Therapy, till date?

As on date, more than 2000 patients have undergone Sahaj Therapy® in India & leading an active life. More than 10000 patients have been benefitted with the treatment worldwide.

How long does it take for this therapy to work?

Majority of patients begin experiencing a relief in symptoms in a weeks’ time after treatment. However, complete relief in pain and associated symptoms may take one to three months after treatment and depends on the patient’s joint condition.

How long does it take to regenerate the cartilage?

Arthroscopic & MRI studies have reported the formation of cartilage from 6 months to 1 year after treatment with Sahaj Therapy®.

This seems to be an experimental treatment. Is it approved?

Sahaj Therapy is an evidence-based regenerative treatment with Level 1 & Level 2 clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy & safety in patients with Knee Osteoarthritis.

Sahaj Therapy® is an approved procedure in India and covered under Insurance by the major TPA’ and insurance companies.

The Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO- The regulatory body in India) had given clearance to Sahaj Regenerative Cell Therapeutics to use the technology in Arthritis patients wherein:

Autologous Adipose Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction is isolated using ultrasonic cavitation for tissue dissociation, centrifugation and filtration without the use of enzyme, chemical or a cell culture.

In how many countries Sahaj Therapy is used as a treatment for joint pain?

With its origin in Australia, SVF technology is available in major countries of Europe & America.

How many patients have been treated with technology? What is the success rate?

As on date, more than 2000 patients have undergone Sahaj Therapy® in India & leading an active life. More than 10,000 patients have been benefitted with the treatment worldwide. The success rate for the treatment is above 85% and depends on variety of factors including joint condition.

How many sittings are required for this therapy?

The procedure is done in a single surgical setting and takes less than two hours as it utilizes a minimally access approach with no major incision or cuts.

How much bed rest or complete rest is required after this treatment?

The treatment does not require a significant bed rest and the patient can walk from the next day of procedure. However certain precautions and recommendations must be followed to get the best outcomes from the treatment. These include avoiding stairs, taking a balanced diet and protein supplements & sticking to the exercise regime as suggested by the treating surgeon & physiotherapist.

Can I go for a replacement surgery later after having Sahaj Therapy?

Sahaj Therapy® is a biological solution and does not interfere with the normal anatomy. Patient can go for a replacement surgery in future if the knee condition demands. We take utmost care while selecting a candidate for Sahaj Therapy and only those patients are considered who can get maximum benefit out of this treatment.

How fast can I get back to my normal life activities after therapy?

Patient can start walking from the next day & the normal activity can be restored after a week. However certain precautions and strenuous activities (running, climbing stairs) will remain restricted for best outcomes.

How long will it take to get complete pain relief?

Majority of patients begin experiencing a relief in symptoms in a weeks’ time after treatment. However, complete relief in pain and associated symptoms may take one to three months after treatment.

What is Sahaj Therapy?

Sahaj Therapy is a comprehensive joint care program to help treat patients with early osteoarthritis. The unique treatment regimen works on four important aspects:

• Counselling & Consultation
• Assessment
• Rehabilitation & Regeneration
• Deformity Correction

What is SVF?

Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fractions in which specialized cells are isolated from body fat without the use of any enzyme, chemical or a cell culture. These cells are pluripotent and have potential to differentiate in various other tissues, once implanted in human body. SVF is generally isolated using three different approaches:

How is SVF different from Stem cell therapy?

SVF is different from Stem cells in origin and process. Stem cells originates from cord or bone marrow and must be cultured with an enzymatic process to get the required number.

SVF originates from adipose tissue and does not undergo any major manipulation or culture.

How is Sahaj Therapy® different from Micro fragmented Fat (MFF)?

MFF is obtained when aspirated fat is broken down into small fragments using a specialized technique that enables a progressive reduction in the size of adipose tissue clusters and the elimination of oil and blood residues. The fragmented fat is collected in syringes and then injected into the body parts. This fragmented fat contains regenerative cells which may differentiate or replicate and aide in healing

Micro fragmented fat is indicated as an adjunct to surgery or as a minimally invasive procedure option as an alternative to major surgery to aid in the natural healing process in the support, reconstruction, and repair of injured or damaged tissue.

SVF is a specialized technique where only regenerative cells are isolated from the aspirated fat and checked for viability and count. After the assessment, these cells are implanted into the knee joint and aides in cartilage regeneration & healing of the damaged structures. The technique is relatively safer and effective because only viable regenerative cells are transplanted. SVF can also be given intravenously (IV).

SVF is approved in India and indicated to treat early osteoarthritis, by the regulatory authorities.

What are Pericytes? How is it different from MSC’s?

Pericytes are cells that reside on the wall of the blood vessels and their primary function is to maintain the vessel integrity. Recently, it has been realized that pericytes have a much greater role than just the maintenance of vessel integrity essential for the development and formation of a vascular network. Pericytes also have stem cell-like properties and are seemingly able to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and granulocytes, leading them to be identified as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

I want to know about the scientific evidence (safety and efficacy) in favor of SVF? Is it approved by the FDA or DCGI in India?

Sahaj Therapy- Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fractions is backed by strong scientific evidence for established efficacy & safety for use in Knee Osteoarthritis. There are level 1 & 2 studies along with numerous case papers and review articles available (Link).

Sahaj Therapy® is an approved procedure in India.

The Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO- The regulatory body in India) had given clearance to Sahaj Regenerative Cell Therapeutics to use the technology in Arthritis patients wherein:

Autologous Adipose-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction is isolated using ultrasonic cavitation for tissue dissociation, centrifugation, and filtration without the use of an enzyme, chemical, or cell culture.