What if there was an easy and natural way to heal your chronic pain without any side effects? Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy is the next step in anti-inflammatory treatments, and it’s starting to revolutionize the way we treat chronic pain. Here’s how Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy works and why you should consider using it to improve your joint health.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)?
Platelet Rich Plasma is taken from your own blood. PRP is then spun in a centrifuge and injected back into your body where it heals damaged joints. This new age therapy removes inflammation, improves movement and relieves pain. So how does Platelet Rich Plasma work? It’s all about Blood—and Stem Cells! The platelets that are present in our blood contain growth factors that help heal wounds and regenerate tissue. When these platelets are concentrated, they release their contents as well as other proteins that promote healing. In addition to promoting healing, these concentrated platelets also increase cell growth within an area of injury or damage. All of these elements combine to make Platelet Rich Plasma a powerful tool for reducing pain and improving joint function without surgery or drugs!
How Does PRP Work?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a lab-made version of our own natural blood. It contains a concentrated dose of healing proteins and growth factors, which can be applied topically to speed recovery from injuries and accelerate tissue repair. When injected into injured tissues (or body parts that are developing scar tissue), PRP becomes part of your body’s natural healing process by stimulating your cells to grow stronger and healthier. In addition to helping you recover faster from injuries like sprains, strains, tears, and fractures, PRP injections may also help treat chronic conditions such as tendonitis or osteoarthritis.
Content Writer: John Annunziata / The Remedy Health + Wellness
Who Should Use PRP?
The real beauty of PRP therapy is that it’s so customizable, depending on your symptoms and how your body responds to treatment. For example, athletes usually receive a more aggressive PRP injection protocol which helps treat muscle injuries faster. In addition, studies have shown promising results when treating conditions like tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome with PRP injections. Since PRP uses your own blood for injections, there are no concerns about cross-contamination or side effects from medications. However, if you do suffer from an autoimmune disease (like lupus), you should not undergo PRP therapy until further research has been conducted.
What Else Should I Know About PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is an injection of a patient’s own blood that has been manipulated to enhance healing. This type of autologous therapy is often used as an alternative to steroid injections and physical therapy in order to treat injuries such as chronic shoulder pain and plantar fasciitis. In fact, PRP was developed in response to steroids, which are known for many side effects and can even cause more damage than they help! Unlike steroids, PRP doesn’t have any negative side effects—but it does come with some important precautions. Before you schedule your first treatment, here are some things you should know about platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
#1. Your Own Blood Must Be Used
One drawback of PRP is that it requires drawing a small amount of blood from your arm at least 24 hours before injecting it into another part of your body, making last-minute appointments impossible. And while treatments don’t require much blood—only five to 10 milliliters per session—some people still may not be able to handle the idea of multiple needle sticks.
#2. You Can Experience Bruising and Swelling After Treatment
PRP is injected directly into injured tissue, so there’s always a chance of bruising and swelling in addition to pain during recovery. To reduce these side effects, your doctor may recommend using an ice pack or taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium before treatment. If you experience severe pain after your first treatment—or if you notice any other unusual symptoms—contact your doctor immediately for guidance on how to proceed with future treatments.
#3. You May Need More Than One Treatment
If you’re suffering from chronic inflammation or have recently suffered an injury that hasn’t responded well to physical therapy, it might take more than one round of PRP injections to relieve your pain. In fact, some doctors say it can take up to three rounds of treatment before patients begin feeling relief from their injuries. As with any other medical procedure, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions about how many treatments you may need and what side effects are likely during recovery.
#4. It Can Be Used for More Than Just Sports Injuries
While PRP is most commonly used on injured athletes who want to speed up recovery time without taking prescription drugs, it also has applications in other areas of medicine as well. In fact, some doctors are using PRP to treat a variety of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
If you’re interested in learning more about platelet-rich plasma therapy or if you’re ready to schedule your first treatment, contact The Remedy IV Health + Wellness today!
