How PRP Injections Relieve Chronic Pain
There are a number of conditions that cause chronic pain in patients. Most of the medical problems that relate to chronic pain are musculoskeletal in nature, meaning that they have to do with the bones, muscles, or joints. While there are several available treatments for this type of chronic pain, one of the most innovative and effective treatment measures is PRP injections.
What are PRP Injections?
PRP stands for platelet rich plasma. It is derived by extracting blood and running it through a centrifuge, which spins it at a high rate of speed to separate the platelets from the rest of the blood. The platelets are then concentrated and suspended in either the patient’s blood or plasma. This injection is placed at the site of the chronic pain.
What Makes PRP Relieve Pain?
PRP injections relieve pain because they promote healing. Soft tissue repairs have been proven to be faster and more effective when treated with PRP injections. PRP injections contain several growth factors that boost soft tissue production and regeneration. So far, PRP injections have been primarily used to treat chronic pain relating to the knees or shoulders. However, this treatment is also being used for lower back pain and degenerative disc disease.
Finding a PRP Injection Provider
This new treatment is not something that you can get from just any doctor. It is important that you find a physician who is experienced and involved in the research of the use of PRP in treating chronic pain. You will want to make sure that the doctor you choose is well versed in the procedure and can perform it in-house. Use our database to find a doctor offering PRP therapy for chronic pain.