You don’t need a medical degree to evaluate a stem cell provider. You need nine specific questions that separate legitimate practitioners from expensive mistakes. The answers reveal everything.

Stem cell therapy costs between $5,000 and $50,000 per treatment. Insurance doesn’t cover it. Most procedures are considered experimental. Yet over 3,000 clinical trials are registered with the WHO, and certain providers have performed thousands of successful treatments. The challenge isn’t whether stem cell therapy works. The challenge is identifying who delivers results versus who delivers marketing.

These nine questions to ask stem cell therapy providers come from board-certified physicians, published researchers, and regulatory guidelines. Ask them before signing anything. The responses will tell you everything you need to know.

Question 1: How Many Stem Cell Procedures Have You Personally Performed?

Experience correlates directly with outcomes. This isn’t opinion. Surgical research consistently demonstrates that complication rates drop and success rates rise after physicians complete approximately 200 procedures of any given type. Furthermore, some clinics cite their total surgical procedures rather than stem cell-specific numbers—a misleading practice.

Ask for the specific stem cell procedure count. Then ask how long they’ve been performing these treatments.

Consider the contrast. A clinic advertising “thousands of procedures” might include every injection they’ve ever done. Meanwhile, Blue Horizon International reports over 4,000 stem cell treatments specifically—procedures performed using IRB-approved protocols by board-certified physicians. Dr. Brian Mehling, the practice’s founder, holds certifications from both the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine.

The minimum effective threshold: Look for providers with at least 200 stem cell procedures and multiple years of focused practice. Anything less means you’re paying for their learning curve.

Question 2: What Are Your Board Certifications and Relevant Training?

Stem cell therapy attracts practitioners from various specialties. Orthopedists, pain specialists, dermatologists, internists, and even ophthalmologists now offer treatments. Moreover, regenerative medicine didn’t exist as a formal specialty when most physicians completed medical school. This creates wide variation in training quality.

Ask specifically about board certifications relevant to your condition. Additionally, inquire about continuing medical education in regenerative medicine—conferences attended, fellowships completed, and research participation.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research recommends verifying that physicians can demonstrate specialized training beyond their primary specialty. Red flags include vague answers about training or inability to name specific educational programs.

Quality indicators include dual board certification, fellowship training in regenerative medicine, and active research involvement. For example, Dr. Mehling’s credentials span undergraduate work at Harvard, biochemistry degrees from Ohio State, medical training at Wright State, and residencies at major hospitals including St. Joseph’s and Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia.

Question 3: Are Your Protocols IRB-Approved?

This question immediately separates research-grade practitioners from everyone else.

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an independent committee that reviews research involving human participants. Under FDA regulations, IRB approval indicates that qualified experts have evaluated a protocol’s scientific merit and patient safety measures. Furthermore, IRB-approved clinics must follow standardized procedures and report outcomes systematically.

Clinics operating without IRB oversight may still provide treatments legally, but you lose important protections. Without systematic oversight, no independent body verifies that the protocol makes scientific sense or that patient safety measures meet accepted standards.

Blue Horizon International operates under IRB-approved protocols. This means external experts have reviewed their procedures, outcomes are tracked systematically, and standardized safety measures are in place. Additionally, the practice has received FDA IND (Investigational New Drug) approval for acute ischemic stroke treatment—a distinction requiring demonstrated safety and scientific merit.

If a provider cannot explain their IRB status clearly, that tells you something important.

Question 4: What Type of Stem Cells Will You Use, and Where Do They Come From?

Not all stem cells are equivalent. The source matters. The processing matters. The cell count matters. Yet many patients never ask these questions, accepting vague assurances about “cutting-edge” treatments without understanding what they’re actually receiving.

Common stem cell sources include:

Autologous stem cells come from your own body—typically bone marrow or adipose (fat) tissue. Because they’re your cells, rejection risk is minimal. However, cell quality depends on your age and health status.

Allogeneic stem cells come from donors—umbilical cord blood, Wharton’s jelly, or placental tissue. These require additional testing for safety but may offer advantages for certain conditions.

Blue Horizon uses cultured Wharton’s jelly and umbilical cord blood stem cells collected in accordance with Good Tissue Practice standards. Their cells undergo multiple testing processes ensuring patient safety. The practice is the only treatment provider approved and associated with Wuhan University’s Department of Medicine.

Ask your provider: What is the source? How are cells processed? How many viable cells will I receive? Quality providers answer these questions readily. Evasive responses suggest you should look elsewhere.

Question 5: What Published Research Supports This Treatment for My Condition?

This question exposes clinics borrowing credibility from unrelated research.

Some providers cite impressive studies that used different stem cell types, different delivery methods, or different patient populations than what they’re offering you. For instance, a clinic using adipose-derived cells might reference research conducted with bone marrow stem cells. The treatments aren’t equivalent.

Ask for studies specifically supporting the protocol they propose for your condition. Furthermore, ask whether the provider has published their own outcomes data.

According to research published in PubMed Central, over 3,000 trials involving adult stem cells are registered with the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry. Legitimate providers participate in this ecosystem, contributing data and following evidence-based protocols.

Blue Horizon’s research has been published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine (cited at PubMed Central) and CellR4 (the official journal of The Cure Alliance). They can point to specific outcomes data for conditions they treat.

If a provider cannot cite relevant published research, you’re essentially paying for an experiment without the safeguards of formal clinical trials.

Question 6: What Results Can I Realistically Expect, and How Will You Measure Them?

Beware of clinics promising guaranteed outcomes or miracle cures. Even the best providers have patients who respond less well than hoped. That’s medicine. Honest practitioners discuss realistic expectations and acknowledge limitations.

Ask specifically: What percentage of your patients with my condition report significant improvement? How do you define and measure improvement? What timeline should I expect for seeing results?

The International Society for Stem Cell Research advises patients to understand exactly how benefits will be measured and over what timeframe. Some patients see improvement within weeks. Others require six months or longer. Results vary by condition, individual health factors, and treatment protocol.

Quality providers use standardized measurement tools—WOMAC scores for arthritis, VAS pain scales, functional assessments—rather than vague claims about “feeling better.” They track outcomes systematically and can share aggregate data about success rates.

A clinic that only offers testimonials without measurable outcomes data is selling hope rather than evidence.

Question 7: What Are the Risks, and How Do You Handle Complications?

Every medical procedure carries risks. Stem cell therapy is no exception. However, the specific risks vary significantly based on cell source, delivery method, and provider expertise.

Common risks include injection site reactions, infection (rare with proper sterile technique), and—for some delivery methods—more serious complications. Additionally, certain medications can interfere with stem cell viability, which quality providers will discuss beforehand.

Ask your provider: What complications have you seen in your practice? How did you handle them? What emergency protocols exist if something goes wrong?

Blue Horizon’s clinical studies demonstrate their cellular products are safe and effective for improving symptoms related to chronic inflammation, spinal cord injury, stroke, musculoskeletal disorders, and other conditions. Their published safety data provides transparency that marketing-focused clinics typically cannot match.

Be skeptical of any provider claiming zero complications. That’s either an extremely limited practice or someone not being honest. Complications happen even with excellent technique—the question is how they’re managed.

Question 8: What Is the Total Cost, Including All Associated Expenses?

Stem cell therapy pricing lacks standardization. Quoted prices sometimes exclude consultation fees, imaging, laboratory work, follow-up appointments, or required ancillary treatments. Furthermore, some conditions require multiple treatment sessions, dramatically increasing total investment.

Get complete cost transparency before proceeding. Ask: What does the quoted price include? What additional costs should I anticipate? How many treatments will my condition likely require? What happens if the initial treatment doesn’t produce expected results?

According to market analysis, stem cell therapy costs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 for orthopedic conditions and $15,000 to $50,000 for complex systemic conditions. Intravenous treatments for autoimmune or degenerative conditions often start around $27,500.

These are substantial investments. As we’ve explored in our coverage of what sophisticated consumers actually invest in, today’s affluent individuals prioritize evidence-based preventative medicine over unproven shortcuts. They understand that the cheapest option rarely delivers the best value.

Quality providers offer clear pricing, explain what’s included, and don’t pressure you into immediate decisions with time-limited discounts.

Question 9: May I Speak with Previous Patients Who Had Similar Conditions?

Published data matters. Provider credentials matter. But nothing replaces hearing directly from someone who walked the path you’re considering.

Ask whether the clinic can connect you with previous patients willing to discuss their experiences. Furthermore, look for video testimonials featuring real patients with real names—not anonymous reviews that could come from anywhere.

Blue Horizon International provides extensive video testimonials from patients including professional athletes like Luigi Rodriguez (baseball), Melieck Robinson (bodybuilding), Lance Palmer (MMA), and Ryan Ruthford (Ohio State athlete recovering from concussions). These aren’t anonymous reviews. They’re real people with verifiable identities discussing specific outcomes.

A clinic that cannot or will not facilitate patient conversations raises questions. Either they lack satisfied patients willing to speak, or they’re hiding outcome information. Neither suggests a wise investment.

The 80/20 of Stem Cell Provider Evaluation

You don’t need to evaluate everything. Focus on these three questions that reveal 80% of what matters:

IRB approval status immediately separates research-grade providers from everyone else. If they can’t explain their IRB relationship, move on.

Procedure count and physician credentials predict outcomes. Look for 200+ procedures and board certification in relevant specialties.

Published outcomes data demonstrates accountability. Providers who track and publish results have nothing to hide.

Everything else matters, but these three factors do the heavy lifting in distinguishing legitimate treatment from expensive marketing.

What Quality Providers Want You to Ask

Here’s something counterintuitive: good providers actually want informed patients asking hard questions.

Patients who understand the treatment, hold realistic expectations, and commit to proper follow-up care produce better outcomes. Furthermore, patients who ask questions are patients who’ve done research—they’re more likely to follow protocols, attend follow-up appointments, and provide useful feedback.

Dr. Gaurav Goswami, a California-based regenerative medicine specialist featured in Social Life Magazine, emphasizes that patient education is central to his practice. “We try to educate people because the field itself is very new,” he explains. “The word ‘stem cell’ gets overused and commercialized and can cause confusion.”

Legitimate practitioners welcome scrutiny. They’ve invested in training, protocols, and outcomes tracking precisely because they want to demonstrate quality. Your questions give them that opportunity.

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

Certain responses should immediately disqualify a provider:

Guaranteed outcomes. Medicine doesn’t work that way. Anyone promising guaranteed results is selling something other than healthcare.

Pressure tactics. “This price is only available today” or “We have limited spots” are sales techniques, not medical recommendations.

Inability to explain their protocol. Quality providers can describe exactly what they’re doing and why. Vague answers suggest they don’t understand their own treatment.

No IRB affiliation and no published research. Without external oversight or outcomes data, you’re essentially trusting marketing materials.

Reluctance to discuss alternatives. Legitimate providers explain when stem cell therapy might not be your best option. Those who push treatment regardless of appropriateness prioritize revenue over outcomes.

Your Next Step

Print these nine questions. Take them to every consultation. Compare answers across multiple providers before deciding.

The difference between a transformative medical experience and an expensive disappointment often comes down to asking the right questions before treatment rather than wishing you had afterward.

Regenerative medicine offers genuine promise. As we’ve covered in our analysis of stem cell patches versus injections, the evidence base for properly administered stem cell therapy continues to grow. But realizing that promise requires choosing providers who operate at research-grade standards rather than marketing-grade promises.

The questions you ask determine the answers you get. Ask better questions. Get better outcomes.

Connect with Blue Horizon International

Dr. Brian Mehling and the Blue Horizon team welcome questions from prospective patients. With over 4,000 treatments performed, IRB-approved protocols, FDA IND approval, and published research, they represent the evidence-based standard these questions are designed to identify.

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