Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an incredibly effective procedure that has become a staple in the “regenerative medicine world”. It can be used to treat a large variety of diagnoses and symptoms, but its main use at Modern Concepts is to treat disc degeneration in the neck and spine, as well as osteoarthritis in the shoulders, hips, and knees.
The procedure is very simple. We draw a sample of the patient’s blood and spin it for 20 minutes to isolate the platelet-rich component. This platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is then injected back into the afflicted area (after the patient has been numbed) and the healing process begins.
Once inside the joint or affected muscle, PRP works by producing growth factors, reducing inflammation, and communicating with the body’s immune system and healing process. The purpose is not to replace the body’s natural processes, but to enhance and support them.
Think of your body’s natural healing process like you’re cooking an egg. Would you rather use a match, or an open flame to get the job done? Most of us would agree, that the second option is monumentally more effective than the first. When your healing processes are not working properly, it’s like trying to cook an egg with a match. We know fire can get the job done, therefore the question isn’t “is fire effective?”. Instead, the question becomes “How can I get more of it?”. The same dynamic exists within your body’s natural healing process. Your body’s natural healing processes are present, we just need to give it a little spark.
Still have questions? Schedule your new patient visit with our practice today and find out if PRP might be the right treatment option for you!
