Stem Cell Therapy for Back, Spine and Neck Pain in Dallas
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Bill Johnson, MD, Founder & Medical Director
Innovations Stem Cell Center was named Top Stem Cell Treatment Center In The USA by Life Sciences Review (2025 and 2026).
Chronic back or neck pain can make it hard to sit through a dinner, sleep through the night, or pick up a grandchild. If injections and therapy haven’t lasted and you’ve been told surgery is next, stem cell therapy using your own fat-derived cells may be worth a look first. At our Dallas clinic, every back and neck treatment is done by two physicians, Dr. Bill Johnson, our founder and medical director, and Dr. James Davis, using real-time imaging (C-arm fluoroscopy) to place your cells in the disc space, facet joints or around irritated nerves. Your treatment also includes an IV dose of your own cells and acoustic wave therapy (AWT).
The first spine treatment is $19,000, with the IV dose and AWT included; follow-up spine treatments are $14,500. Many patients report improvement. Individual results vary.
The FDA has not approved the use of adult stem cells/SVF for any disorder, including back or neck pain.
When Back Pain Won’t Let Up
Most people with chronic back pain have tried a lot: physical therapy, chiropractic care, pain medication, epidural steroid shots, maybe nerve ablation. Those can help for a while. When they stop helping, the next step is often spine surgery, such as a fusion or a laminectomy. Surgery helps some people, but it’s a big decision with a long recovery. Many of our patients want to try a less invasive option first. We’ll tell you honestly if your imaging points to a problem that needs a surgeon, such as a severe nerve compression, instability or weakness that’s getting worse.
Living with pain in several areas? See stem cell therapy for chronic pain.
Hear directly from our two treating physicians about how stem cell therapy for back pain works.
Doctor Bill Johnson and Doctor James Davis Explain How Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain Really Works
Spine Conditions We Treat
- Degenerative disc disease (lower back and neck)
- Bulging and herniated discs
- Sciatica and pinched-nerve pain
- Facet joint arthritis
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
- Spinal stenosis symptoms (mild to moderate)
- Chronic neck pain and cervical disc problems
- Ongoing pain after a previous spine surgery
Not sure if it’s your hip or your back? See stem cell therapy for hip pain. For leg numbness or tingling that isn’t coming from the spine, see stem cell therapy for peripheral neuropathy.
Looking for spinal cord injury treatment? See stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury.
How Spine Treatment Differs From a Joint Treatment
Joint treatments at Innovations (knees, hips, shoulders) are done by Dr. Bill Johnson using ultrasound guidance. The spine is different: the target sits deeper and close to nerve roots, so every spine case is treated by both Dr. Johnson and Dr. James Davis, with a radiology technologist and live C-arm fluoroscopy (X-ray imaging) to confirm needle placement. That’s why spine treatment is priced separately from the multi-joint flat fee.
Your Spine Treatment Day, Step by Step
- Review. We go over your MRI, symptoms and goals before you book.
- Fat harvest. A small amount of fat is removed under local anesthesia.
- Processing. Your stem cells are separated in our Dallas lab.
- Image-guided placement. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Davis use fluoroscopy to place your cells in the targeted discs, facet joints or nerve areas.
- IV dose. A portion of your cells is given by IV.
- Acoustic wave therapy. Our medical staff deliver AWT, included in the $19,000. Innovations brought acoustic wave therapy to the USA from Switzerland in 2005.
You’re awake throughout, under local anesthesia, and go home the same day. The spine day runs longer than a joint day, about 5 hours.
Dr. Johnson explains how stem cell therapy may help with back pain and spine problems.
Spine Treatment Cost: $19,000
Price First spine treatment (back or neck), IV dose and AWT included $19,000 Joint injections at the same visit, using cells left over after the disc injections (case dependent) No extra fee Second harvest syringe, only if more cells are needed for joints Discussed with Dr. Johnson Follow-up spine treatment $14,500 Includes your medical evaluation, fat harvest, lab processing, image-guided placement by two physicians, an IV dose, acoustic wave therapy and follow-up care. Joints can sometimes be treated at the same visit using cells left over after the disc injections, at no extra fee. How many joints depends on how many cells remain (rarely enough for 4). If more cells are needed, a second harvest syringe may be added; Dr. Johnson will discuss that cost with you. Stem cell therapy is not covered by Medicare or private insurance. Financing is available.
Stem Cell Therapy vs. Spine Surgery
Stem cell therapy at Innovations Spine surgery (fusion/laminectomy) Anesthesia Local; you’re awake General Setting Outpatient, home the same day Hospital, often an overnight stay Incisions Small fat harvest site and needle placement Surgical incision; hardware for a fusion Recovery Light activity within days Often weeks to months Insurance Not covered; financing available Often covered, with deductibles Surgery still possible later? Yes — Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may be a candidate if you’ve had back or neck pain for months, an MRI shows disc or facet problems, and conservative care hasn’t lasted. Most of our patients are 50 and older. People with active cancer, infection, worsening leg weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control need urgent evaluation elsewhere first. Blood thinners may need to be adjusted beforehand.
Recovery After Spine Treatment
Expect soreness at the harvest site and the treated area for several days. Most people walk out the same day and return to light activity within a few days; we’ll give you a plan for lifting, driving and exercise. Any improvement tends to build gradually over weeks to months. Many patients report improvement. Individual results vary.
Flexible Healthcare Financing
Financing is available. Contact us directly and we’ll help you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain
How much does stem cell therapy for back pain cost?
At Innovations Stem Cell Center in Dallas, the first spine treatment for the back or neck is $19,000, including an IV dose and acoustic wave therapy, and follow-up spine treatments are $14,500. Financing is available. Medicare and private insurance do not cover it.
Does stem cell therapy work for back pain?
Many patients with disc or facet-related back pain report less pain after treatment, but it doesn’t help everyone and it is not FDA-approved for back pain. Individual results vary.
Can you treat my knee, hip or shoulder at the same time as my back?
Sometimes. After the disc injections, any remaining cells can be used for joints that need treatment at no extra fee. How many joints depends on how many cells are left, and it’s rarely enough for 4. If more cells are needed, a second harvest may be added, and Dr. Johnson will discuss that cost with you.
Why does spine treatment cost more than a joint treatment?
Every spine treatment is done by two physicians, Dr. Bill Johnson and Dr. James Davis, with a radiology technologist and live fluoroscopy imaging to place cells near the discs and nerves, and the day runs longer than a joint treatment.
Can stem cells help a herniated disc or sciatica?
Stem cell therapy may help some patients with disc-related pain and sciatica. If your MRI or exam shows severe nerve compression or worsening weakness, we’ll refer you to a spine surgeon.
Do you treat neck pain?
Yes. We treat chronic neck pain from cervical disc and facet problems with the same image-guided spine approach.
Will I be awake, and how soon can I go home?
Yes, you’re awake under local anesthesia, and you go home the same day. Most patients return to light activity within a few days.
Schedule Your Spine Consultation
Send us your MRI and we’ll tell you honestly whether spine treatment makes sense for you. Call (972) 893-9849 or schedule a consultation. Many patients report improvement. Individual results vary.
Related pages: Meet Dr. Bill Johnson · Chronic pain · Hip pain · Financing
