Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy in Long Beach, CA is an innovative treatment that can improve range of motion and reduce pain in people who deal with arthritis. SOHMA Integrative Medicine also uses PRP therapy for treating conditions such as athletic injuries, tendon inflammation, partial ligament and tendon tears and more. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections use components of the body’s own blood to stimulate healing. Platelets are able to assist in mending and strengthening damaged tissue by increasing specific growth factors.
Our blood is made of red blood cells (90%), white blood cells (6%), and platelets (1%) and plasma. PRP is created in a laboratory where blood plasma is enriched with high concentrations of platelets that contain concentrations of growth factors that can be up to 500% richer than normal. During the normal healing process, the body uses platelets to promote new tissue growth and repair injuries. By supplementing platelet content, the healing process is accelerated.
How do we do this? We draw a vial of your own blood, spin it in a centrifuge for about 20 minutes until the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) separate from the rest of the blood. We then draw the PRP off of the top of the vial and then your own PRP is injected into the area needing healing support such as joints, and muscles.
What Are The Benefits of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
There are several benefits to PRP therapy. They include the fact that the platelet rich plasma (PRP) being injected is autologous (comes from the patient), so there is no risk of cross-reactivity, immune reaction, or disease transmission. It is also minimally invasive (unlike surgery), and facilitates healing (unlike corticosteroids).
By injecting platelet rich plasma into the arthritic or injured area, your body receives a higher concentration of blood platelets than your blood typically offers. These platelets promote the regeneration of tissue to trigger the natural healing process. PRP therapy can speed up the repair of tendons, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and bone due to injury or disease. This treatment can also:
- Decrease pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Slow down the progression of arthritis
- Increase lubricating fluid in the joint
The human body has the natural ability to heal itself and PRP therapy simply aids our bodies natural healing process. Unlike cortisone injections, PRP therapy can offer a patient long term healing rather than temporary relief. Our team of doctors at SOHMA Integrative Medicine can help guide you toward a life of pain free living with the use of PRP therapy.