Ditch the Drugs, Forget the Surgery: Relieve Arthritis Pain With All-Natural PRP Therapy

More than 50 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis. The signature painful joints and limited mobility make aging an arduous chore rather than a restful stage of life. Traditionally, arthritis pain has been treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil™ or Aleve™) or acetaminophen (Tylenol™). In some cases, corticosteroid injections are used to get the medication straight to the source of the pain. Either way, the relief is temporary.

The team of regenerative medical experts at Prime Regenerative and Pain Management in Fredericksburg, VA, has a different solution. They treat chronic arthritis pain with regenerative medicine, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP). These all-natural, minimally invasive techniques do more than temporarily relieve pain; they’ve been shown to bring lasting relief for people plagued with arthritis. 

Understanding arthritis 

Arthritis is a term used to describe more than 100 different types of inflammatory joint diseases. Metabolic imbalances, autoimmune disorders, infection and inflammation, or age-related degeneration can cause it.

The latter is called osteoarthritis (OA) and is the most common type. OA occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down or deteriorates over time. Without that cushion, your bones rub against each other, causing pain and inflammation.

All types of arthritis cause varying degrees of joint pain and disability. Stem cell therapy and PRP present groundbreaking new treatments for sufferers worldwide.

How platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy treats arthritis

Platelet-rich plasma is another revolutionary, minimally invasive procedure that requires no drugs or surgery.

Platelets are one of the components found in your blood, like red cells and white cells. Plasma is simply the liquid that those cells live in. When you see a drop of blood, you’re looking at a bunch of red and white cells (and other nutrients) swimming in a pool of plasma. 

In and of themselves, platelets have no healing powers, but they secrete something that does — growth factors. These little powerhouses prompt cell division, tissue regeneration, and healing, just what you need to stop your arthritis pain.

To get PRP, your provider draws a small blood sample from your arm (much like a routine lab draw) and puts it into a centrifuge machine. It spins rapidly until the cells and platelets separate from the plasma. He then injects that high concentration of platelets into your arthritic joint, which can release healing growth factors. It’s an excellent way of boosting your body’s natural self-healing processes 

What, if any, are the risks of PRP?

Side effects of PRP injections are extremely minimal because the injections are comprised of your own blood, and therefore, your body should not reject them or have an adverse reaction. 

To learn more about PRP and how it can relieve your arthritis pain, book a consultation at Prime Regenerative and Pain Management. Call the office closest to you or schedule an appointment via our online booking tool.