Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is gaining recognition as a groundbreaking regenerative medicine treatment in interventional pain management to provide chronic pain relief. PRP harnesses the body’s natural healing abilities by using a concentrated solution of platelets derived from the patient’s own blood. Packed with growth factors, PRP promotes tissue repair and reduces inflammation, making it a promising option for various chronic pain conditions.
How Does PRP Work?
The process begins with a simple blood draw. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to separate platelets from other blood components, resulting in a highly concentrated plasma. This PRP solution is then injected directly into the injured or painful area, targeting damaged tissues to stimulate healing.
What Makes "Good" PRP?
Not all PRP is created equal. PRP is most effective when concentrated at least 5x greater than normal blood. At Parkview Pain and Regenerative Institute in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, we use the highest quality centrifuge and processing equipment to ensure the quality of the PRP created exceeds all measures.
These are strategies that can also improved platelet production prior to a PRP procedure:
High Intensity Cardio Exercise
This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s probably the most important key to ramping up your production of red blood cells and strengthening your immune system. Your body produces higher levels of red blood cells and you get more PRP from your blood. With a turbo-charged immune system, it works hand-in-hand to give you the best results possible.
Eat a Diet Rich in Green Leafy Vegetables
Often the hardest lifestyle change for most people to make is to change their dietary habits. Yet it is the single most important aspect of our long term health, and it isn’t even close. By introducing more green, leafy vegetables into your diet, cutting out sugary, processed, fatty foods and eating smaller portions throughout the day, you gain multiple benefits that can help your PRP procedure. You can achieve increased immunity, better circulation due to lower cholesterol, and regulated hormone levels — all beneficial to the outcome of your PRP procedure.
Don’t Smoke, Drink or do Drugs
Smoking cigarettes negatively effects the outcome of PRP procedures. Not only does it reduce the volume of PRP you can get from the same amount of blood, but the toxins in cigarette smoke impede the stem cells’ ability to function. According to the US National Library of Medicine: The documented effects of the toxic constituents of cigarette smoke — particularly nicotine, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide — suggest potential mechanisms by which smoking may undermine expeditious wound repair.
Increase B-Vitamins and Hydrate
By increasing your intake of B-Vitamins, especially Vitamin B12, and staying hydrated before your procedure, you can increase your red blood cells and hemoglobin among other benefits. The range of B-Vitamins (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Biotin, Folate and Cobalamin) are all essential for your health and can be found by eating a variety of healthy plant and animal foods. You will need to supplement your B12 intake if you are vegan or vegetarian since it is mainly found in animal based foods. One great way to get a super-charged infusion of B-Vitamins, Minerals and Hydration is to come in a day or two before your procedure for a Myers’ Cocktail I.V. or a Trace Mineral I.V.
Avoid Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Do not take aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs), or Corticosteroids for up to 5 days before and after the procedure. These drugs may inhibit the stem cells natural inflammatory response. You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc.) safely.
Regenerative Medicine Applications in Pain Management
PRP has emerged as a versatile therapy, addressing conditions that were traditionally challenging to treat. Among its latest applications are:
Joint Pain: PRP is widely used for knee, hip, and shoulder osteoarthritis, where it reduces pain and improves joint function by enhancing cartilage regeneration.
Tendinopathies: Chronic tendon injuries like tennis elbow or Achilles tendinitis respond well to PRP, as it accelerates tendon healing and reduces inflammation.
Spinal Pain: PRP injections are now used to help manage discogenic back pain, facet joint issues, and pain from nerve compression offering an alternative to steroid injections and surgery.
Nerve Pain: Emerging studies suggest PRP may alleviate peripheral neuropathy by regenerating nerve tissues and improving circulation.
Why PRP?
What do Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Kobe Bryant, and Alex Rodriguez all have in common? They have all used PRP to promote healing and recovery. Athletes and non athletes alike trying to perform their best or just stay mobile and functional can benefit from PRP. Whereas steroid injections can cause local tissue weakening and systemic side effects, PRP uses the patient’s own blood so the risk of adverse reactions is minimal. It provides a non-surgical, drug-free alternative to conventional treatments offering long-term benefits without significant side effects. There is growing evidence that PRP is safe and effective for a wide variety of painful conditions.
The Future of PRP
Research on PRP continues to expand its applications. Recent studies are exploring its role in treating conditions like migraines and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). As techniques improve and understanding deepens, PRP may redefine how we approach pain management, emphasizing natural healing over temporary symptom relief. In the future, we may use PRP more frequently as a proactive way to slow down degeneration in our joints and spine.
If you’re seeking innovative, non-invasive solutions for chronic pain, PRP therapy may be the answer. Reach out to us at Parkview Pain and Regenerative Institute to see if this cutting-edge treatment is right for you!
Parkview uses the highest quality products from Apex Biologix, based out of Salt Lake City, Utah.