Frequently asked questions.

The questions patients actually ask us — about safety, legality, cost, candidacy, the trip, and what results to realistically expect. If yours isn't here, ask us directly; a physician answers the medical ones.

Safety and legality

Is stem cell therapy FDA approved?

For most conditions, no. Stem cell therapies are not FDA approved for the orthopedic, autoimmune, neurological, or longevity indications we treat. They are provided in México under the Mexican regulatory framework (COFEPRIS), by licensed Mexican physicians, under explicit written informed consent.

The difference is the legal and regulatory framework, not the standard of the medicine. The physicians, the lab, and the protocols are held to international clinical standards. If FDA-approval status is a hard line for you, this is not the right care setting — tell us on the consult and we will say so.

Is stem cell therapy safe?

Updated systematic reviews of intravenous mesenchymal stem cell administration across many disease contexts continue to report favorable safety profiles, with adverse events typically mild, transient, and self-limited — most commonly short-lived flushing, mild fatigue, or low-grade fever in the first 24 to 48 hours.

No medical procedure is risk-free. The protocol-specific risk profile is reviewed with you in writing during informed consent, before anything is scheduled.

Is this legal in México?

Yes. Regenerative cell therapies are provided in México under the country's regulatory framework administered by COFEPRIS, by licensed, independent Mexican physicians acting in their clinical discretion, in accredited facilities, and under written informed consent.

Where do the cells come from, and are they screened?

Our primary cell type is Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells derived from donated umbilical cord tissue, processed in an ISO-accredited, GMP-standard laboratory. Donors are screened, and cells are tested for viability, sterility, and identity, with results documented before every application. Autologous (your own) options are available for certain protocols.

The evidence, and what we can't promise

How strong is the scientific evidence?

It varies a great deal by indication, and you deserve the honest version. Regenerative cell therapy is an emerging field still in the early stages of clinical research. The evidence is strongest, though still maturing, for orthopedic and joint conditions, where multiple controlled trials show meaningful pain and function benefit.

It is more preliminary for autoimmune, neurological, longevity, and neurodevelopmental uses, where results are promising in select areas but come from smaller or earlier-stage studies. Across the board, these should be regarded as early-stage, non-guaranteed procedures rather than proven or established cures. We match what we say to the strength of the evidence for your specific case, and we will tell you plainly where it is thin.

Does stem cell therapy work for autism?

The evidence here is early and unproven. Cell therapy for autism is investigational: a small number of early-phase trials have reported signals worth studying, but there is no large, replicated, controlled evidence that it is effective, and it is not an approved or established treatment for autism anywhere.

We do not claim it treats, reverses, or cures autism, and we will never promise a behavioral or developmental outcome. Any autism protocol is offered strictly as investigational care, with that uncertainty stated plainly in writing, and only after a physician reviews the individual case. Families should regard it as an early-stage, non-guaranteed option, not established medicine.

Do you guarantee results?

No, and anyone who does should concern you. Regenerative medicine is an emerging field; individual results vary, not every patient is a candidate, and no outcome, benefit, timeline, or cure is promised. The evidence supports a directional case for many of our indications, not a deterministic one, and it is weaker for some than others. We tell you honestly where your specific case sits.

Why México

Why is this available in México and not the United States?

The difference is regulatory, not medical. The higher cell doses and allogeneic cord-derived protocols offered here are not FDA-approved for these indications in the United States, so they are not widely available there. In México they are permitted under COFEPRIS. The physicians, laboratory, and protocols are held to international clinical standards.

Who performs the treatment, and where?

Board-certified Mexican physicians deliver care in accredited surgical facilities — Hospital Blue in Tijuana (about 20 minutes from the San Diego border) and Centro Quirúrgico Mayan in the Cancún Hotel Zone. You can read the physicians' bios on the About page.

The treatment

What conditions do you treat?

The main areas are orthopedic and joint conditions (osteoarthritis, tendon and cartilage injury), autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, peripheral neuropathy, anti-aging and longevity protocols, and neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism as investigational care. Candidacy is always determined by a physician after reviewing your history, imaging, and labs. See the treatments overview.

What kind of stem cells do you use?

Most protocols use umbilical cord-derived (Wharton's jelly) mesenchymal stem cells, chosen for their immunomodulatory profile. We also offer Muse cells — a distinct stress-enduring subset — and cell-free exosome (extracellular vesicle) infusions, selected by the physician based on your case.

How are the cells delivered?

Delivery depends on the condition. Localized joint or tendon problems are treated with image-guided injection at the site; systemic conditions such as neuropathy, autoimmune disease, and longevity protocols use intravenous infusion. Some protocols combine both. The route is chosen by the physician.

What is Muse cell therapy?

Muse cells (multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells) are a naturally occurring subset of mesenchymal stem cells with notable homing and stress-tolerance characteristics. They are used in select protocols where those properties may be advantageous. See the Muse page for detail.

Who is not a candidate?

Common reasons include end-stage, bone-on-bone joint disease better addressed by replacement surgery; active, uncontrolled inflammatory or autoimmune disease that a specialist must stabilize first; active malignancy or recent cancer treatment without oncology clearance; active infection; pregnancy or breastfeeding; and severe uncontrolled cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal disease.

If you are not a candidate, we will tell you on the consult. There is no pressure to proceed.

Cost and logistics

How much does it cost?

Single-joint umbilical cord MSC protocols typically begin in the mid-five-figure range (USD), with dose and combination therapy affecting price; bilateral, multi-joint, and systemic protocols are quoted per case. The consultation is complimentary and you receive an itemized written quote before anything is scheduled. Try the cost page for a non-binding ballpark estimate.

Does insurance cover it?

U.S. insurance typically does not cover regenerative cellular therapy because most protocols are not FDA-approved. Many patients use HSA or FSA funds, or medical financing. We provide an itemized quote you can submit or use for planning.

How long is the trip, and how many days do I need?

Many single-joint procedures are same-day, and some patients fly home the following day. Systemic and multi-session protocols, and the autism program, may involve a 3 to 5 day stay. Your exact schedule is confirmed in the virtual pre-consultation, and the concierge coordinates hotel, ground transport, and follow-up. See Travel & concierge.

What does the trip from San Diego look like?

For Tijuana, it is about 20 minutes from the San Diego border to Hospital Blue. A private Mercedes Sprinter picks you up from your San Diego hotel, handles the border crossing, and brings you to the clinic, with an English-fluent concierge managing scheduling, hotel, and post-procedure check-ins.

Results and aftercare

When will I see results?

It varies by condition and person. For joint protocols, functional changes typically begin in the 4 to 6 week window and peak at 3 to 6 months. Neuropathy and systemic protocols often show first signals within weeks, with the primary assessment at 3 to 6 months. Some people notice little or no change — results are individual and not guaranteed.

How long do results last?

Published joint-therapy trials show pain and function gains sustained at 12 months, with some cohorts maintaining benefit at two years and beyond. Durability differs by condition, severity, and individual biology, and some patients consider maintenance treatment. We discuss realistic durability for your specific case at the consult.

What aftercare is included?

Structured follow-up is part of every protocol — typically remote check-ins at intervals such as 2, 6, and 12 weeks (and 30/60/90 days for some programs), with progress tracked against your documented baseline. Your care team remains reachable between check-ins.

Still have a question?

Ask us directly. A board-certified physician answers the medical questions, and the consultation is complimentary and carries no obligation.

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