What is platelet-rich plasma?

Along with the liquid called plasma, your blood contains red cells, white cells, and platelets. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is obtained by separating red and white blood cells from platelets by spinning a blood sample in a centrifuge. Platelets are vital for clotting blood but also contain proteins called growth factors that are very important in the healing process. PRP contains as many as 10 times the normal concentration of platelets.

What is PRP therapy?

For PRP therapy, a sample of your blood is drawn and the platelet-rich plasma is separated out and placed in a syringe. The PRP is then injected into the injured area. For joint damage, the treatment is also known as “prolotherapy,” or proliferation therapy, since the solution is injected very near or into the joint itself. The proteins in the PRP promote healing and regeneration of new tissue, which resolves the symptoms associated with the damage.

What conditions are treated with PRP therapy?

PRP therapy is a nonsurgical solution to healing injuries in joints, tendons, and other soft tissues. PRP has also shown promise in helping speed up the recovery process after a fracture or surgery. It is an effective therapy for numerous other musculoskeletal issues, including:

• Acute and chronic tendon injuries, such as tennis elbow
• Muscle and ligament injuries
• Degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis)
• Chronic and acute back pain due to injury or degenerative processes

What are the advantages of PRP therapy?

Rather than masking pain, PRP therapy actually enhances your body’s own natural processes to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. By introducing high concentrations of collagen and other natural growth factors into an injured area, PRP therapy resolves the underlying condition rather than just treating the symptoms. Side effects are limited to nonexistent with this treatment. Because PRP therapy uses your own blood, there’s no risk of rejection. As a natural remedy with medically-proven effectiveness, PRP therapy coincides perfectly with the integrative medicine approach of treating your medical concerns with your body’s own restorative processes whenever possible.