5 Benefits of PRP Therapy for Chronic Pain

5 Benefits of PRP Therapy for Chronic Pain

More than 20% of adults in the United States suffer from chronic pain, which is persistent pain that lasts three or more months. This type of pain affects your physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being. 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is becoming a popular treatment for people suffering from chronic pain. At Orthopedic & Wellness, our experienced pain management physicians — Dr. Ojedapo‌ ‌Ojeyemi ‌and‌ Dr. Matthew Roh — use PRP for musculoskeletal-related pain conditions like arthritis and tendonitis. 

Here, we share five benefits of PRP therapy for chronic pain. 

1. PRP therapy uses your own blood

PRP is a blood product that contains a high concentration of platelets. We create PRP for your treatment from a sample of your own blood. Because we use your blood for PRP therapy, there’s a very low risk of side effects from treatment. 

Corticosteroid injections are a common treatment for chronic knee pain and shoulder pain conditions. However, these injections may provide only temporary relief, and their long-term use may cause permanent tissue damage.

PRP therapy is an alternative pain management treatment that may ease pain without such complications. 

2. PRP therapy supports the healing process

Platelets are tiny blood cells that play a major role in the body’s repair process. With PRP therapy, we inject a high concentration of platelets into areas where there’s a delay in healing. The platelets in the PRP stimulate the healing process in the nonhealing tissue, increasing cellular activity and the generation of new cells and tissue. 

3. PRP therapy reduces inflammation

Inflammation is part of your body’s repair process. The initial inflammation that occurs from an injury starts the body’s healing cascade (the steps that tissue repair and regeneration). Platelets have both pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. 

When we inject the PRP into the damaged part of your body, you can expect an initial increase in inflammation and swelling. However, you should experience improvements in inflammation over time as the damage heals. 

4. PRP therapy is a natural approach to pain relief

By reducing inflammation and supporting the healing process, PRP naturally reduces pain. And by boosting healing at the source of your pain, you may have long-term relief from your discomfort. 

5. PRP treatment is quick

We provide PRP therapy at the office. We start by taking a sample of blood to make your PRP solution and then preparing the site of your injection by cleaning the skin with an antiseptic agent and injecting a local anesthetic to minimize pain.

We then use image-guided technology when injecting your PRP to ensure accuracy. We have you remain in the treatment room awhile for observation. Afterward, we send you home and you can resume most of your normal activities.

Are you looking for a more natural solution to your chronic pain that may provide long-term results? You may want to consider PRP therapy. 

Schedule a consultation with our pain management experts at our office in Frederick, Germantown, or Waldorf, Maryland, by calling or booking an appointment online today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

When Does a Herniated Disc Require Surgery?

Rarely does a herniated disc require surgery. But surgery isn’t completely off the table when you can’t get symptom relief through more conservative treatment methods. Learn when it’s time you need to consider surgery for your herniated disc.

How to Manage Sciatica Pain Without Medication

The pain associated with sciatica — a condition that results from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve — usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. How can you manage sciatic nerve pain without medication? Click here to find out.

3 Warning Signs Your Carpal Tunnel Is Worsening

When the morning tingling and numbness in your hand lingers into the day, your carpal tunnel is getting worse. Click here to learn other signs and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and what you need to do about it.

Why Is Lower Back Pain More Common Than Other Types?

Lower back pain is more common than other types of pain because of the amount of stress that you place on this part of your body day in and day out. Click here to learn more about pain in your lower back pain and what you can do to protect it.