If you’ve ever had an injury that just wouldn’t seem to go away, you’ve probably wished there was a way to speed up the healing process. The good news? There is, and the answer lies in your blood. Platelet-rich plasma therapy has been around for a while, but you may not have heard of it. To help you learn more, here are some things you should know about this extraordinary treatment option. Take a minute to read this post, and then check out the video at the bottom of the page.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, is a substance derived from your blood that helps with healing. It also has some anti-aging effects. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a relatively simple, non-surgical procedure that helps people who suffer from joint injuries, arthritis, and other ailments. Doctors have always known that the body is a master of self-healing, but only relatively recently have they started to make that healing process more efficient with the help of the body’s own substances.
The process is pretty simple. First, blood is drawn from your body, usually from the arm. The blood is then placed in a centrifuge, a device that spins the blood at a high rate of speed. The process separates your blood cells from your plasma and concentrates platelets within the plasma, increasing the growth factor from 6% to 94%. Once the plasma is separated from the blood, it is then injected into the injured site, allowing it to interact with your injury and spur growth.
What does Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Treat?
PRP contains substances that encourage tissue to regenerate at a faster rate. When injected into injured tissue, PRP stimulates healing by triggering a mild inflammatory response.
PRP therapy treats a variety of injuries and ailments, including the following:
- Joint pain
- Orthopedic injury
- Hair loss
- Aging skin
- Soft tissue injuries
Once injected into the affected site on the body, the platelet-rich plasma starts working, promoting healing and growth. After receiving platelet-rich plasma therapy, you may have some tenderness at the injection site. You might not begin to feel the effects of the treatment for a few weeks. The effectiveness of the treatment depends on a few different factors as well, including the nature of your injury, the location of the injury, and your overall health.
At ICBR, we offer platelet-rich plasma therapy for orthopedic injuries, hair loss, and soft tissue injuries, as well as our platelet-rich plasma facial for skin rejuvenation. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today! We are always happy to help you find the treatment that is right for you.