If you have been suffering from chronic pain, you know that the treatment options are endless and varied. You probably also know that it can be hard to decide upon a treatment, especially when you’re unsure how it will affect you.
But what if we told you there was a relatively inexpensive, safe, and effective option that has been gaining lots of attention over the years? This option is called platelet-rich plasma or PRP therapy.
Here at The Spine and Pain Center of California, Dr. Navin Mahallavaram offers the best treatments available for chronic pain and injury, and PRP is at the forefront of regenerative healing. This option is helping more and more people escape from the experience of chronic pain.
Platelet-rich plasma: what it is and what it does
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a fascinating treatment option for chronic pain that involves taking a sample of your blood. After the blood is taken, it is spun in a centrifuge, which separates the PRP protein from the rest of the blood. This protein is then injected into the body in the area of pain.
Dr. Mahallavaram works to ensure that the insertion of the PRP occurs in precisely the right place, sometimes by using ultrasound or other types of imaging technology. The PRP has elevated healing properties and is often able to promote new tissue growth.
You may have heard of PRP as a type of cosmetic procedure that goes along with microneedling or facials. According to a 2019 study, PRP has become a popular treatment for sports-related injuries in recent years. In addition, it can treat problems that often lead to chronic pain, such as injuries caused by overuse and wear and tear.
Four benefits of PRP
Still, it’s also critical to understand the many ways in which PRP is an effective, beneficial option for chronic pain or injury treatment. Especially if you’ve never heard of this procedure, you must be made aware of its many advantages.
1. PRP is a healing treatment, not a pain remedy.
Although we at The Spine & Pain Center of California understand how severe chronic pain can be, we believe in always working to treat the underlying condition instead of simply treating the pain itself. PRP is a healing treatment that targets the underlying problem to minimize pain effectively.
2. PRP is a very safe option.
You will not need to be concerned about a long list of side effects if you choose PRP. For one, the platelet-rich plasma comes from your own body, so there’s minimal risk of infection. In addition, this treatment does not require any major surgery, and its only common side effects are mild nausea and dizziness.
3. PRP works with other treatments.
PRP doesn’t have to be used on its own to treat chronic pain — and it often isn’t. This treatment can easily be used with several conventional injections to treat chronic pain. The combination of these treatments can often be designed specifically for your personal needs.
4. PRP can minimize pain and promote healing with as little as one procedure.
This isn’t the case for every patient, but many people see an improvement after just one treatment. In addition, according to an article published by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, studies have shown PRP to provide longer-lasting effects than steroid injections. Of course, another procedure is always an option, should you need one.
PRP therapy can help you
Chronic pain and injury are often difficult to treat because every patient’s reaction to them is different. But we have seen PRP therapy help so many people struggling with these issues in a way that is both effective and beneficial. To learn more, you can book an appointment online today at either our Fremont office or Pleasanton office or give us a call at 925-469-9120.
