You may have heard about platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and the wonders it does in treating everything from orthopedic conditions to dermatological issues. It is particularly beneficial in alleviating knee pain.
Let’s talk about how PRP therapy works, how you can benefit from platelet-rich plasma therapy, and where you can go in Manalapan, New Jersey, to receive this revolutionary treatment.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Treating Orthopedic Problems
Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a minimally invasive procedure that harnesses the healing powers of your own blood platelets, and drenches the painful or injured area with a large dose of those platelets in order to facilitate healing.
As its name implies, platelet-rich plasma uses the platelets (a component of your blood known for its healing properties) and plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) to help encourage natural healing. PRP therapy is a truly revolutionary treatment that helps in healing and in pain mitigation, but with the least risk of side effects unlike other treatment options – such as medications, which tend to pose significant side effects.
What Happens During Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy?
Since PRP therapy involves the use of a sample of your own blood, it is a safe, effective, and natural treatment. During the therapy, a small sample of your blood is taken carefully from your arm like a normal blood draw, and an anticoagulant is added to it to avoid clotting. (After all, platelets are responsible for clotting, forming scabs, and other forms of healing.) Then, the blood sample is processed in a centrifuge machine, which spins the blood sample at a high speed in order to separate the components from each other.
The centrifugation process separates the platelets and plasma from the other blood components, like white blood cells and red blood cells. After the platelet-rich plasma solution is harvested from this sample, it is injected directly into the painful or injured area. The PRP solution seeps deeply and directly into the area and gets to work.
The entire process takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes. It’s normal to experience mild discomfort and sensitivity in the area, but this will subside.
How Long Does It Take for PRP Therapy to Work?
Because this treatment works from the inside out, it can take several weeks or even a couple of months before you will notice improvements. The good news is that you are likely to continue to experience improvements over the long term, because your cells are healing your own injured cells.
In order to enjoy optimal results of the treatment, multiple sessions of PRP therapy are sometimes warranted. Your healthcare provider will explain the best course of action in your case.
PRP Treatment in Manalapan, NJ
At NIVA Health, your healthcare provider will evaluate your medical history, your family’s medical history, and your symptoms, and determine the cause and best course of treatment for you. They will also determine whether you are a good candidate for PRP therapy, or if something else would work even better in your case.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with a member of our outstanding healthcare team, contact us today at our location near you, or fill out our secure appointment form online now. We look forward to serving you!
