Integrative medicine
Regenerative medicine
Approaches that support the body’s own repair processes, offered only when the physician considers them appropriate.
Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine that studies biologic and cell-based approaches intended to support the body's own repair processes. At WIN, it is considered only after a full evaluation at our Houston or San Juan center, only when Dr. Carmen Báez-Franceschi believes it may be appropriate for a specific patient, and always with a detailed conversation about what is and is not known. It is never a substitute for the rest of the plan.
What is regenerative medicine?
The body has its own ways of maintaining and repairing tissue. Regenerative medicine is the area of research and clinical practice that looks at whether certain biologic materials can support those processes. It is an evolving field: research is ongoing, the evidence differs widely from one approach and one condition to another, and the regulations governing which products and procedures may be used continue to change.
Regenerative medicine is not a cure, and WIN does not present it as a treatment that cures or reverses autism or any other condition. It is also not a stand-alone service. At WIN, it is one option the physician may discuss within an individualized plan, offered only with products and procedures permitted under current regulations.
Who might be a candidate
Candidacy is decided one patient at a time, after the Phase I evaluation and labs. The physician most often discusses regenerative approaches with adults in the anti-aging and wellness program, and in selected cases with patients who have brain injuries or neurological disorders, working alongside the patient's other specialists.
For many patients, the physician's answer will be that regenerative medicine is not appropriate, or not yet. The medical history, current health, other treatments and the patient's goals all weigh in that decision, and it cannot be requested à la carte.
What the process looks like at WIN
If the physician believes a regenerative approach may be appropriate, the next step is an informed-consent conversation before anything is scheduled. Dr. Báez-Franceschi explains which option she is considering and why, its regulatory status, what the evidence does and does not show, the possible risks and side effects, the alternatives, and the costs. Families and adult patients are encouraged to ask questions, take time to decide and talk with their other doctors.
Any procedure is done at the Houston or San Juan center following medical screening, and follow-up is part of the plan.
How it fits the Franceschi Method®
Within the Franceschi Method®, regenerative medicine, when used at all, belongs to Phase II, the medical protocols built on the evaluation and lab findings. It sits alongside, never in place of, the foundations: functional medicine, nutrition, and, where indicated, IV infusion therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Progress on the whole plan is measured with re-evaluation, and patients and parents receive reports and training.
What families can expect
Expect a careful, unhurried process: an evaluation first, an honest discussion of whether this option fits, and written information before any decision. Some follow-ups may be done by telemedicine for patients in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. No outcome can be promised.
If you have questions about regenerative medicine, the evaluation is the right place to ask them. Request an orientation with our Houston or San Juan team, in English or Spanish.
How it works
How WIN approaches regenerative medicine
- I Evaluation and planning Initial medical evaluation · Specialized laboratories · Follow-up appointment
- II Evaluation results and protocols Medical and nutritional protocols · WIN neurodevelopment evaluations · Treatment protocol discussion
- III Multisensory and psycho-emotional therapy Therapy sessions and progress measurement
Conditions this helps with
All conditionsCommon questions
What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine is a field that studies biologic and cell-based approaches intended to support the body's own repair processes. It is an evolving area: research is ongoing, and the evidence varies a great deal between approaches and conditions. At WIN it is considered only after a full evaluation and only when the physician believes it may be appropriate.
Is this stem cell therapy?
Stem cells are one of the topics studied within regenerative medicine, but regenerative medicine is the broader field and includes other biologic approaches. If regenerative medicine is relevant to your situation, the physician will explain which options, if any, are appropriate for you and what their regulatory status is.
Who might be a candidate for regenerative medicine at WIN?
Candidacy is decided individually after the evaluation and labs. It is most often discussed with adults in the wellness program and, in selected cases, with patients who have brain injuries or neurological conditions. For many patients, the answer will be that it is not appropriate, and the rest of the plan is where the work happens.
What should I know about the evidence and the risks?
The evidence for regenerative approaches is still developing and differs by approach and by condition, so no result can be promised. Like any medical procedure, these approaches carry risks, which the physician explains in detail along with the alternatives and the costs before anything is decided. WIN uses only products and procedures permitted under current regulations, and you are encouraged to take time and talk with your other doctors before consenting.
Do you accept insurance?
Please contact our team for current information on insurance, payment options and what to expect for your plan — it varies by location and by service. We will walk you through it before your first visit.
Do I need to travel to Houston or San Juan, or can we start remotely?
Telemedicine is available for families in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, and many families start that way. The WIN neurodevelopment evaluations and the Phase III therapies happen in person at our Houston or San Juan centers; international families are welcome at both.
Which therapy is right for your family?
Every plan starts with an evaluation. Let’s talk.