Platelet-rich plasma therapy, more commonly known as PRP, has been gaining a lot of mainstream attention lately. This cutting-edge regenerative therapy has the remarkable ability to heal damage inside the body, making it a highly valuable treatment, especially for pain. But the best part? It uses naturally occurring growth factors from your own body to do it.
Our Metro Pain Centers team offers state-of-the-art, minimally invasive treatments for pain and vein conditions. If you have tissue damage, here’s what you need to know about PRP.
Taking a closer look at PRP
PRP is a form of regenerative medicine. These types of treatments focus on healing your body instead of just masking your symptoms. It works by harnessing substances in your body involved in the natural healing process.
There are several regenerative therapies, and they all use different healing elements from your body. The ones used in PRP come from your blood. Your blood may just look like red liquid, but it also contains tiny, powerful cells.
PRP therapy relies on two important components found in your blood: your plasma and your platelets. Plasma is the liquid component. Platelets are the little powerhouses involved in healing.
The power of platelets
You may recognize platelets because of their ability to make blood clot when you cut yourself, but they do far more than that. They also contain vital growth factors that can activate cell production, trigger tissue regeneration, and heal an area on the cellular level.
When concentrated for PRP therapy, doctors can increase the potency of your platelets and inject them specifically where you need them most. Once in place, the concentrated platelets get to work, using your natural healing system to repair damage and regenerate healthy, new tissue in the area.
This process makes PRP highly effective for treating a wide range of conditions, such as:
And, since PRP comes from your own body, there are few — if any — risks or adverse side effects.
How PRP works
Getting PRP therapy only takes about 30 minutes. It starts with a blood draw, so we prepare your PRP sample in a special device called a centrifuge. This machine spins your blood very quickly to separate the platelets from the plasma in your blood, creating a concentrated dose.
Once your PRP is ready, we inject it directly into the source of your pain. Then you can continue with the rest of your day; no downtime required.
Since PRP works by healing your body, it can take up to three months before you see the maximum results. However, over this time, you will notice significant improvements as healthy new cells return to the area.
Depending on the source of your pain, we could recommend up to three injections. However, you can expect to see benefits after your first or second treatment.
Curious to see if PRP can help heal your injury or chronic pain? Contact our Metro Pain Centers location nearest you to schedule a consultation today.
