Chronic pain can be a frustrating ailment to live with. It can affect your daily life, ability to perform tasks, and even your ability to enjoy what you once used to enjoy. If you’re suffering from chronic pain after an injury, you’ve likely exhausted traditional treatment options and found that they only provided temporary relief. The good news is there are more options to consider. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy offers a regenerative approach to healing that uses your body’s ability to repair damaged tissues. This is a non-surgical approach with promising results.
PRP therapy may be a transformative option to overcome chronic pain. If you have questions about the process, contact Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine today to discuss your situation and learn more about how we can help.
Understanding PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a brand-new treatment that uses the patient’s own blood to repair damaged tissue. Blood is taken from the patient and spun in a centrifuge to separate platelets, which are cells filled with proteins that help heal the body. The concentrated solution is then injected directly into the area of the injury to accelerate healing.
PRP has been used in many different fields of medicine, including sports medicine, orthopedics, and rehabilitation. It’s most helpful to patients who have failed to respond to physical therapy, medications, or steroid injections.
Conditions Effectively Treated with PRP
If you’re considering treatment with PRP therapy, you should know the areas in which this treatment has had the most successful impact. If you suffer from any of the following, you may be a great candidate for PRP therapy:
- Musculoskeletal disorders, such as rotator cuff injuries, plantar fasciitis, or muscle strains
- Joint pain and osteoarthritis, such as knee osteoarthritis, hip joint pain, or shoulder arthritis
- Tendon and ligament pain such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy
- Other chronic conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or chronic lower back pain
PRP therapy has had the most success with these ailments, but it may also be used to treat other forms of chronic pain. Speak with a professional to find out if it’s right for you.
The PRP Procedure
The PRP procedure is simple and requires very little time during the appointment. There is no surgery required, only a few simple steps:
- Consultation – You’ll talk with your specialist to determine if PRP is right for your condition.
- Blood Draw – A blood sample is taken from you.
- Centrifugation – The blood sample is spun in a high-speed centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma.
- Injection – Finally, the PRP is injected into the injured area.
Since the medical solution is taken from your own body, there is minimal risk of allergic reaction or infection, and most patients only experience minimal discomfort at the injection site. This makes the PRP procedure one of the quickest and easiest procedures available.
Recovery and Expected Outcomes
Recovery after PRP injection should be taken seriously, just like any other medical procedure. Your doctor may advise you to refrain from heavy activity for several days. Soreness should be expected, but it generally subsides quickly.
It’s also important not to get discouraged. Although pain-masking medications work quickly, the effects wear off just as fast. PRP cures the condition over time, so progress over several weeks is to be expected. Most patients require one to three treatments several weeks apart, depending on the nature and severity of the injury. Your medical professional will create a personalized plan based on your injury.
Comparing PRP to Other Regenerative Treatments
There are many different types of regenerative treatments available. PRP therapy might not be right for everyone or for every injury, but it is comparable to some of the most popular treatments.
Compared to corticosteroid injections, which inflame less but don’t initiate healing, PRP therapy is a more sustainable long-term chronic pain solution. It is less invasive and less costly than surgery.
While stem cell therapy promotes tissue regeneration, PRP is typically more accessible, involves fewer regulatory hurdles, and carries less ethical complexity. PRP can also be used in conjunction with physical therapy to enhance healing and restore mobility faster.
Talk to your doctor to find out the best options for you. Although PRP therapy is not right for everyone, you may be a good candidate if:
- You have a chronic injury or a degenerative condition that isn’t responding to traditional care
- You’re looking for a drug-free option
- You want to accelerate your recovery
No single option is right for everyone or every injury, but with PRP therapy, you may be able to achieve permanent relief from chronic pain.
Why Choose Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine for PRP Therapy
Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine is committed to the management of musculoskeletal and spinal disorders with cutting-edge, evidence-based techniques. Our doctors are board-certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, so you can trust that each procedure we perform is with accuracy and under expert supervision. At our facility, you can rest assured that you’ll receive:
- Expertise You Can Trust – Our doctors are well-trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound, which guides PRP injections with precision. This reduces the risk of complications and increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. We stay at the forefront of regenerative medicine research so that our patients can benefit from the newest technological developments.
- A Personalized, Comprehensive Approach – We don’t do one-size-fits-all care. Every individualized treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. We blend PRP therapy with other services like physical therapy, acupuncture, and pain management to maximize healing and long-term results.
- Convenient Long Island Locations – With offices across Long Island, in Huntington, Great Neck, and Lawrence, we bring world-class care close to home. Our warm, caring environment is designed to reduce stress and promote healing from the moment you walk through the door.
If you’re experiencing chronic pain or a persistent injury, PRP therapy can be the relief you’ve been waiting for. At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, our experienced, compassionate staff is prepared to help you regain control of your health without surgery or extended medication dependence. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if PRP therapy is right for you.