Peripheral neuropathy is a type of damage to the nerves outside the central nervous system, hence, it is the type that affects the hands and feet. Peripheral neuropathy can cause a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. It usually starts in your toes or fingers and spreads up your limbs. In severe cases, peripheral neuropathy can lead to problems with weakness, as well as balance and walking.
Peripheral neuropathy is usually associated with type 2 diabetes. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage. Of these, about half will develop peripheral neuropathy. Other common causes of peripheral nerve damage are infections, autoimmune disorders, vitamin deficiencies, and treatments such as chemotherapy.
One of the most advanced treatments available for neuropathy symptoms is platelet-rich plasma injections. Let’s talk about how exactly it can help patients suffering from neuropathy symptoms.
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a treatment that uses a patient’s own blood to help heal injuries. PRP contains a high concentration of platelets, which are cells that play a role in the healing process, with the most notable advantages being:
- Reduced inflammation
- Decreased pain
- Increased healing time
- Improved tissue regeneration
To create a concentrated solution, the sample of blood drawn from the patient’s body is placed inside a centrifuge, which is a machine that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from a solution. PRP therapy uses a centrifuge to separate the platelets from the blood, and then second centrifugation is done to create the platelet-rich plasma to be injected into the patient.
How PRP Therapy Helps Neuropathy
When platelet-rich plasma is injected directly into the part of the body that is experiencing neuropathy, in this case, the lower extremities, specifically the ends of the nerves, it stimulates the healing of the surrounding tissues.
Platelet-rich plasma also contains cytokines and growth factors, which help the proliferation of healthy cells, promoting nerve health and nerve regeneration. In other words, PRP therapy serves as a treatment for nerve damage, as well as protection against further nerve damage. As a result, patients undergoing PRP therapy can experience an improvement in neuropathy symptoms such as pain, cramping, tingling, numbness, and loss of coordination. This is nothing short of life-changing for someone who is suffering due to peripheral neuropathy.
There is research that supports PRP therapy and how it benefits injured or damaged nerves. In addition, research also shows that neuropathy patients who receive PRP treatments report reduced pain and an increase in sensation in as little as two weeks.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Injections for Neuropathic Pain
NIVA Health offers innovative PRP injections as a treatment for neuropathic pain. We are proud to offer this highly advanced treatment to ideal candidates as an alternative to medication and invasive surgery. Additionally, we also have a superior neuropathy program that includes other therapies such as the FDA-approved electrotherapy for nerve stimulation, which can further help with improving symptoms of neuropathy and boost nerve repair.
If you are interested in our nerve treatments, schedule your free consultation with one of our providers today. Call your local NIVA Health office or use our online appointment request form.
