The team at Meek Integrative Health Center offers integrative treatments that help your body heal itself naturally, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. They specialize in PRP and other regenerative therapy treatments at their clinic in Springfield, Missouri. To learn how PRP can enhance your body’s natural healing process, call or book an appointment online today.
PRP Injections
What is PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated form of your body’s own healing substances. Normal blood is mostly comprised of liquid (plasma) that contains solid substances, including red and white blood cells and platelets.
Though platelets are best-known for forming blood clots, these substances also contain special proteins (growth factors) that support cellular regeneration. That means they help your body grow healthy, new cells to rebuild damaged or injured tissues.
How does PRP work?
A PRP injection begins with a vial of your own blood. Your Meek Integrative Health Center provider typically draws blood from your arm. Then, they process it to isolate and concentrate the PRP.
After processing, PRP contains about 5-10 times more platelets than the same amount of normal blood. When your provider injects PRP into an area of injured or damaged tissue, the flood of growth factors stimulates healing.
What does PRP treat?
Orthopedic surgeons have been using PRP for decades to help injuries, such as tendinitis, heal faster. The team at Meek Integrative Health Center uses PRP injections to promote healing for a wide range of conditions, including:
- Shoulder pain, such as a rotator cuff tear
- Knee pain, such as patellar tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Tennis elbow
They may also recommend PRP injections to help you heal faster after a surgical procedure, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction or rotator cuff tendon repair.
Is PRP therapy right for me?
If you’re considering PRP therapy for pain relief, the team at Meek Integrative Health Center can help. To determine if you’re a good candidate, your provider thoroughly reviews your symptoms and medical history and performs a physical exam.
Depending on your situation, they may recommend more conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy.
What happens during a PRP injection?
After your Meek Integrative Health Center provider draws blood and processes the PRP, they prepare the injection site. They may numb the area to reduce discomfort, but general anesthesia isn’t necessary. Then, they inject the PRP into the treatment area. The entire procedure takes 1-2 hours, including preparation and recovery time.
PRP accelerates your body’s natural healing, but it’s not a rapid treatment. Most people notice initial improvement within a few weeks after the injection. Pain further subsides over the course of several weeks or months.
To learn more about PRP injections, call Meek Integrative Health Center or book an appointment online today.
