You may have heard of PRP therapy. The treatment involves using a patient’s own blood. Famous celebrities such as Kim Kardashian have used this treatment for its cosmetic benefits. What exactly is Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, PRP is a non-surgical treatment that uses a person’s own blood to treat a number of conditions. Some of the conditions it has been used to treat are Arthritis, bone or spine injuries, hamstring or tendon injuries, hair restoration, and even wrinkling skin.
The process of PRP therapy starts with a collection of the patient’s blood, which is then placed into 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, increase 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 processes. It is a fairly quick procedure, often taking less than an hour, and is often an outpatient treatment. Due to its success in repairing tendons, ligaments, and muscle damage, it has become increasingly popular in treating sports injuries.
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 in 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 we see frequently. For more serious injuries a specialist might recommend Stem Cell therapy. Stem Cell therapy is similar in fashion to PRP but instead of platelet-rich plasma a form of stem cells are used.
A cell therapy specialist 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.
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