Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a type of regenerative medicine that is used to accelerate the body’s natural healing process. It is a safe, effective treatment that can be used to treat a variety of conditions, from sports injuries to hair loss.
Let’s talk about how PRP therapy works, how this treatment could benefit you, and where you can go in Mankato, Minnesota, or Clinton, South Carolina, to have this revolutionary treatment.
What Is PRP Therapy?
PRP therapy is a treatment that is derived from a patient’s own blood, taking advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties. Platelets within the blood play a significant role in healing throughout the body – they are not only valuable for their clotting abilities, but they also contain important growth factors which help to promote cell reproduction and to stimulate tissue regeneration.
PRP therapy is essentially using a high concentration of your platelets to treat damaged tissue and to speed up the body’s natural healing response.
To create PRP, a small amount of blood is drawn from your arm. The PRP doctor will then put the blood into a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the other components in the blood (such as red blood cells and white blood cells). The concentrated, platelet-rich solution is then reinjected directly into the affected area to increase the amount of healing platelets in the area. This helps to stimulate the healing process and the growth or repair of healthy cells.
What Can PRP Therapy Treat?
Because PRP therapy stimulates the healing process, it can help to reduce pain, repair damaged tissue, and speed up recovery, enabling patients to return to their activities sooner. It is an effective treatment for many different conditions, including:
- Musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries, such as repairing damaged tendons and muscles
- Osteoarthritis, to help reduce symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and inflammation
- Hair loss, helping to prevent hair loss and promote new hair growth
- Skin damage, reducing the signs of aging
- Post-surgical healing following many types of surgeries, such as jaw or cosmetic surgeries, and surgery on tissues including muscles, tendons, and ligaments
Would PRP Therapy Work for Me?
PRP therapy has been found to facilitate faster healing from injuries and a reduction in pain for many patients. This treatment can be used alone, but it is also safe to use in conjunction with other treatments, such as physical therapy.
PRP therapy is typically considered by patients who are not finding effective relief with other conservative (nonsurgical) treatment methods or patients who are looking to avoid invasive surgeries or addictive pain-relief medications.
How Successful Is PRP Therapy?
The success of PRP treatment can vary, depending on factors such as the area being treated, the severity of the tissue damage, and the patient’s overall health. Typically, most patients require between one and three PRP treatments to get the best results; multiple treatments are carried out at regular intervals, usually around 4-6 weeks. It may take several weeks before you notice the benefits of treatment, with a sustained improvement continuing gradually over the coming weeks and months. Additional injections may be necessary in the future to maintain results.
PRP Doctor in Mankato, MN
If you are interested in finding out whether PRP therapy is right for you, talk to the wellness professionals at Between the Bridges Healing Center in Mankato. Our patient-centered practice offers a range of holistic treatments and conservative therapies to help patients who are suffering from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
To find out more about our services, call us today at (507) 388-7488 or use our online appointment request form to request a consultation with one of our healthcare providers. We look forward to helping you find relief and healing!