Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has become quite popular because of its ability to repair sports injuries and chronic pain using your own blood. This minimally invasive treatment helps you heal safely and quickly. Big-name athletes, such as Tiger Woods, have used PRP therapy to help get them back in the game.

Our team at The Spine & Pain Center of California in Fremont and Pleasanton, led by double board-certified physician Navin Mallavaram, MD, understands PRP therapy and how it works to give you the most successful outcome possible.

You may have heard about PRP therapy, but sometimes it can be hard to tell fact from fiction. Let’s look at what PRP is all about.

Myths about PRP

Debunking untruths about PRP therapy can help you understand how it really works.

PRP can be dangerous

PRP uses your own blood, which means your body won’t reject the treatment or have an allergic reaction to it. It’s minimally invasive, safe, and poses very little risk, if any. If you experience any side effects, they might include slight nausea or dizziness and should only last temporarily.

PRP therapy takes a long time

On average, PRP therapy lasts one to two hours, and you can resume your normal activities following the procedure.

Facts about PRP therapy

Many have experienced the benefits of PRP therapy. Here are the facts:

PRP promotes healing quickly

Your platelets consist of proteins that encourage the growth of blood vessels within your body, restoring healing to injured areas quickly.

Here’s how it works: Our team begins PRP therapy by first drawing blood from your arm and then separating the platelets from the other blood cells with a centrifuge. We then combine the platelet-rich concentrate with your normal blood sample. Once the sample is ready, we inject the PRP into the targeted area with guided imagery.

PRP therapy has been used for many years

Even though PRP has gained popularity in recent years, doctors have used it since the 1970s. The term, PRP, was created by blood specialists who used platelet-rich plasma to treat patients with thrombocytopenia. Since then, the therapy has helped patients heal from a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders and sports injuries.

Skeptics might claim that PRP therapy is unproven. However, its popularity has increased because of its scientific evidence and patient testimonials. For example, studies show that PRP injections have helped minimize osteoarthritis knee pain in patients and reduced symptoms of chronic patellar tendinopathy, which is a knee injury.

Deciding if PRP is right for you

When you come in for a consultation, we work with you to find out the best healing solution for you. If you want to consider a safe, effective option for your pain, and if you’ve tried physical therapy with no improvement, you may be a good candidate for PRP.

Contact us today for an appointment with Dr. Mallavaram and our team, or request your visit online. Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions or concerns.