A leading therapy in medicine, PRP is a treatment that harnesses the natural healing powers of the body. Though PRP treatments have been used since the 1970s, recent research has shown how far-reaching the benefits of PRP truly are. From muscle and ligament damage to cosmetic concerns, PRP can make a marked improvement in a patient's life.
Blood has three main components: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Each of these components plays different roles in your body, with platelets responsible for healing. Platelets contain hundreds of different types of proteins and growth factors, including cytokines and mitogens. These unique proteins activate blood clotting, wound healing and tissue regeneration.
Normal blood has around 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter. While these levels are perfect for general wound healing, like cuts and scrapes, a higher saturation of platelets has greater healing benefits. Chronic pain, tendonitis, and other injuries require higher rates of platelets for recovery -- this is where PRP comes into play.
PRP is a healing growth factor and protein rich plasma derived from your own blood. As a solution, PRP contains five to ten times more platelets than normal blood. When this solution is injected into your site of injury or pain, the high concentration of platelets quickly stimulates your body's natural healing process.
Platelets usually account for less than one percent of blood composition, with red and white blood cells making up the majority. To extract the powerful platelets from your blood, a process called centrifugation is used. A vial of your blood is drawn and placed into the centrifugation machine, which spins rapidly. This spinning motion causes the blood to separate into three components, with the platelets forming a thin layer in the center. Additional centrifugation increases the potency of these platelets -- this thin layer of protein and platelet rich plasma is the PRP.
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At Chronic Care of Richmond, we use PRP treatment in a variety of chronic pain therapies. Studies have shown that PRP has benefits for hair restoration, sexual wellness, cosmetic therapies and more. Additionally, PRP is a much less invasive and less risky therapy than others that are typically used to address these concerns.
PRP is autologous, meaning that it is derived from your own body. This eliminates any of the risks involved in typical blood transfusions or donations. Additionally, PRP is minimally invasive -- PRP injections are often compared to corticosteroid injections. Side effects are rare but may include soreness at the injection site. Compared to surgery or other traditional treatments, PRP therapy is low-risk. Utilizing your body's own healing powers is the most natural way to promote wellness and PRP is an excellent example of chronic pain therapy.
If you have been searching for PRP treatment options, Chronic Care of Richmond is the provider near you that you can count on. Our current PRP therapies include:
If you have any questions about PRP or related chronic pain therapies, feel free to contact us today.
As chronic pain specialists, we provide proven alternative treatment options. Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary surgery and medications.
Our procedures require no medication or recovery time. Most in-office procedures are 30 minutes or less.
Unlike medications that mask symptoms, we address the root of your issues, providing long term results and allowing your body to heal and, in some cases, regenerate.
The treatments we offer are non-invasive and safe and have little to no side effects.
Our mission is to provide our community with cutting-edge regenerative practices to address your chronic pain and promote healing.
Our staff is knowledgeable and caring. Through follow-ups after your procedures, we are with you through every step of your healing process.