You may have heard of PRP therapy, the treatment that involves using a patient’s own blood. Famous celebrities such as Kim Kardashian have used this treatment for it’s cosmetic benefits. What exactly is Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, though? It is a non-surgical treatment that uses a person’s own blood to treat a number of conditions such as arthritis, bone or spine injuries, hamstring or tendon injuries, hair restoration, and even wrinkles for cosmetic purposes.
How The Process Works
The process of PRP therapy starts with a collection of the patient’s blood, which is then placed in a centrifuge where the platelet-rich plasma is separated from the other components of the blood. Platelets are the body’s natural supplier of growth factors, which stimulate soft tissue repair, facilitate blood flow, and promote stem cell generation, which assists the body in healing itself.
Platelets are injected into the damaged area, where they encourage and enhance the body’s natural healing process. It is a fairly quick procedure, often taking less than an hour, and is typically an outpatient treatment. Due to its success in repairing tendons, ligaments, and muscle damage, it has become increasingly popular in treating sports injuries.
Who Can Benefit from PRP?
If you have problems with your joints or have another common injury, you may be in a lot of pain. Every time you move, you may feel a stinging sensation. You may not want to see a specialist before going under the knife. PRP is common among professions that are hands-on or require more physical labor. Often, patients come in with work-related injuries or pain that may have been caused by their labor-intensive work.
Patients who have been injured playing sports or enjoying their favorite hobbies such as golf, tennis, or running are also among a patient group PRP specialists see frequently. For more serious injuries a specialist might recommend stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is very similar to PRP, but instead of platelet rich plasma, a form of stem cells are used.
A PRP specialist, like a PRP specialist in Los Angeles, CA, can use adult stem cells and blood platelet treatments for different types of injuries, such as osteoarthritis. By taking your own stem cells or PRP, the specialist will be able to help you heal. These professionals know what they are doing, so you don’t have to worry about receiving treatment the wrong way. These treatments do not hurt at all, and they can help you manage pain better, improving your overall quality of life.
Thanks to MetroMD for their insight into what PRP is and how it can be used to treat pain.