Column Case Progress Report No. 192: A Patient Who Actively Engaged in Post-Treatment Exercise
December 17, 2025
The patient
A male patient in his 40s
Treated in March 2024. Approximately 12 months have passed since treatment.
Symptoms and treatments to date
Imaging confirmed intervertebral disc degeneration at the L5/S level (indicated by the red frame in the diagram).
Pre-treatment medical history and treatments to date
In the fall of 2023, the patient began experiencing pain in his right lower limb, which progressively intensified.
Consulted a local orthopedic clinic and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc herniation. Conservative treatments, including medication and rehabilitation, were initiated.
The patient visited our clinic seeking to improve her symptoms.
Post-treatment progress
The table below shows the results of the patient’s own evaluation of the pain in each body site on a scale of 0 to 10.
No pain at all is rated as 0 and 10 as the maximum possible pain.
| Lower back | Lower limbs | Numbness | Buttocks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 5 | 9 | 5 | 5 |
| 1 week after treatment | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 1 month after treatment | 4 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
| 3 months after treatment | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 6 months after treatment | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
The following is feedback from the patient when contacted for follow-up.
1 Week: Pain and numbness were particularly noticeable when standing up.
1 month: Symptom intensity varied from day to day.
3 months: Symptoms were stabilizing; some pain at the start of walking but it resolved quickly.
6 months: The patient felt significantly better by that point.
This patient was diagnosed with lumbar disc degeneration.
From around the 3-month point post-treatment, exercise was recommended. The patient actively participated in gym-based training for approximately 3 months. As muscle mass increased, symptoms stabilized and continued to improve.
Low back pain is often multifactorial. Here, the Cellgel method successfully addressed the disc-derived pain, while the patient’s proactive exercise habit addressed the muscular support needed for the spine. This combination is key to long-term recovery and preventing recurrence.
* Results vary among individuals. Please be aware that identical outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
* It generally takes 3 weeks to 3 months for treatment effects to appear.
Our Treatment Method
Supplementary Information on the Cellgel Method
Cost of the Cellgel Method:
¥1,320,000 / 1 site (tax included)
to ¥1,760,000 / 5 sites (tax included)
Risks and Side Effects:
Temporary pain may occur after treatment.
Nerve injury is theoretically possible due to the nature of the procedure, but no such cases have been reported in our own experience or in published studies.
Extremely rare risk of allergic reaction to local anesthetic.
Symptoms may temporarily worsen for 1–2 weeks after treatment, believed to be due to decompression effects of the implant pulling on surrounding tissue.
If the disc is severely collapsed or nearly gone, treatment may not be possible.
The physician will discuss suitable treatment options with each patient depending on their condition.
For more detailed information, please refer to the following links:
Blog page explaining the Cellgel Method in an easy-to-understand manner
The Cellgel Method on our treatment methods page
This article was written by the administrative Director of our clinic
