Overview:
Have you been suffering from chronic muscle or tendon injuries that no amount of physical therapy can relieve? Or are you looking for a drug-free way to treat your joint pain? A platelet rich plasma therapy session with us might be just what you need for overall wellness. Here's what you should know about platelet rich therapy for regenerative medicine.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet rich plasma therapy is a type of regenerative medicine practice that uses the body's own blood cells to help enhance and quicken the body's innate healing mechanisms. Platelets, which are present in the liquid part of the blood known as plasma, are also known as thrombocytes. They are specific blood cells that are responsible for blood's clotting process, as well as stimulating cellular growth and aiding in the healing of damaged tissue.
Platelet rich plasma therapy uses injections of platelet-rich concentrate that can then be injected into injured:
- tendons
- muscles
- joints
- ligaments
What Are the Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy?
Platelet rich plasma therapy is a drug-free form of treating your body's injuries as it relies on stimulating the body's own healing process to treat injury and disease. Using your own plasma to treat injury means that there is no chance of a negative immune reaction or disease transmission. Platelet rich plasma therapy can help:
- Enhance bone regeneration
- Improve soft tissue healing
- Improve mobility in patients with tendonitis and shoulder injuries
- Reduce chronic and acute pain
- Reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medications
- Patients with arthritis
- Treat androgenic alopecia
What to Expect During a Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy Session
If you've never had a platelet rich plasma therapy session before, you might be wondering what to expect during your appointment. A certified physician will begin by asking you a few questions regarding your health history, pain, and other medical conditions. A few physical tests may also be conducted to determine your blood pressure and level of mobility. From there, your blood is collected, and the platelets are extracted using a centrifuge.
During your actual platelet rich plasma therapy sessions, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour in length, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb the affected area before being injected with your platelet rich plasma. Depending on the severity of your injury, it may take several weeks before any benefit can be experienced, and your physician may recommend one or two more additional treatments in order to experience maximum benefit.