Benefits of Buccal Swabs for DNA Testing

Dr. Jamie Lewis, MD, has been a physician at Northwest Spine and Pain Medicine in Spokane, Washington, for almost a decade. He collaborates with medical researchers, including Proove Biosciences, in getting patient insights and research into pain management and therapy. This research involves collecting DNA through buccal swabs. Dr. Jamie Lewis, MD, makes use of the research results to provide personalized pain medication.

Buccal swabs, which involve collecting DNA samples from an individual's saliva by swabbing the mouth, emerged as an alternative to drawing blood for DNA testing. Buccal swabs non-invasive approach is just one advantage this method has in comparison to others.

Buccal swab DNA collection doesn't require the presence of qualified medical practitioners because of its simple process. The risk of infection from other ailments is less than blood testing. It is a painless procedure that doesn't require skin punctures, making it appropriate for children, babies, and adults who don't like their blood to be drawn.

Transporting DNA samples is less troublesome with buccal swabs, as there is no danger of leakage and they can be moved about on a card-like device. This ease of movement also makes the samples easier to store as refrigeration facilities are not required, unlike those acquired by a blood draw. They can stay for extended periods despite temperature fluctuations. Analysis of swab-collected DNA is also faster with automation and a more cost effective option than blood testing. 

Regenerative Medicine - An Overview

 

Dr. Jamie Lewis completed his MD at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Now living in Spokane, Washington Dr. Lewis maintains affiliations with hospitals and clinics throughout the region. Dr. Jamie Lewis, MD treats patients at Northwest Spine and Pain Medicine while also working as a contract physician for the state of Washington. Dr. Lewis is proud to offer advanced regenerative medicine treatment methods at Northwest Center for Regenerative Medicine, a Regenexx affiliate clinic.

Regenerative medicine focuses on regenerating tissue at a cellular level and reducing inflammation in order to restore function and structure while reducing pain. By increasing and maintaining tissue health patients can experience a number of benefits, including greater range of motion in joints. To stimulate repair mechanisms already found in the body, regenerative medicine utilizes biomaterials from a patient's own body to facilitate healing in areas of orthopedic concern that the body has been unable to restore function and relief to successfully without medical intervention.

When a patient experiences chronic pain and conservative management (e.g. physical therapy, bracing, etc.) has failed to improve their condition there are a number of options to consider. Regenerative medicine has shown to have substantial improvement in many cases as a step following conservative management. Some areas of regenerative medicine include same-day stem cell therapies, as well as platelet rich plasma injections. Studies examining regenerative medicine have shown promising data for the treatment of both chronic disease and acute injury. By treating chronic pain with consistent Regenexx treatments, many patients are able to avoid invasive joint replacements with longer recovery times.

Regenexx’ Surgical Alternative Stem Cell Protocol for Injuries

Dr. Jamie Lewis maintains American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation certification and guides Northwest Spine and Pain Medicine in Spokane, WA. A cutting edge protocol offered by Jamie Lewis, MD, for orthopedic conditions is Regenexx.

An alternative to invasive surgery, Regenexx addresses a common scenario for patients suffering from degenerative or dramatic changes to spine, joints, tendons, and ligaments, in which the body does not produce sufficient quantities of regenerative cells for optimally efficient repair and pain relief. The Regenexx protocol provides concentrated blood platelet and stem cell strategies in helping to resolve chronic pain issues before surgery becomes necessary.

Adult stem cells are found in the patient's own tissue. These stem cells not only renew, but can differentiate and transform into other types of cells. Unfortunately, aging and major injuries can cause scenarios in which the body is unable to recruit sufficient stem cells for the repair process at hand on its own.

In the Regenexx approach, stem cells are extracted from targeted areas of the patient’s own body where they occur in larger quantities. After being manually concentrated in an in-office laboratory, they are re-injected into the specific area of the body that has been compromised using image guidance. This enhanced natural healing protocol is recommended in situations where the injury or arthritic condition is past the point of optimal treatment outcome using Regenexx platelet lysate or platelet rich plasma procedures.