Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment

Perhaps you may have heard about professional athletes like Tiger Woods getting Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment injections to help heal an injury. These shots, which are based on your blood, are increasingly being used to treat sports injuries and help wounds heal after surgery. Some physicians even use it as a cosmetic procedure to target signs of aging, such as wrinkles. But does platelet-rich plasma treatment Woodstock work? Here is what to keep in mind.

What’s in a PRP Treatment?

Plasma is the liquid part of your blood that is mostly made of water and protein. It allows red and white blood cells and platelets to move through your bloodstream. Platelets are a type of blood cell that makes your blood clot. They also play a vital role in healing. Woodstock chiropractors may use Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment on injuries or damage to muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and skin.

Collecting The Plasma

To collect plasma, Dr. Kal (our top Woodstock chiropractor) draws blood from your body and uses a specialized machine to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood. Then our chiropractor numbs the area of your body being treated with PRP injections. Once you are numb, the chiropractor uses a needle to inject your plasma into the area of the body being treated.

For instance, if you are being treated for a muscle injury, your chiropractor would inject PRP into several locations in that muscle. In some cases, a chiropractor may use ultrasound technology during injections to ensure he or she is targeting the right area. Platelet-rich plasma treatment Woodstock usually takes about 30 minutes, though it depends on the area you are targeting.

Once platelets are in the area that is being treated, they break down and release growth factors, which are compounds that help cells repair and renew. This is thought to trigger your body’s natural healing process.

What Can Platelet-Rich Plasma Treat?

PRP injections are used to treat muscle injuries, torn tendons, tendinitis, joint injuries, and arthritis-related pain. They are becoming more common for cosmetic procedures, as well.

For example, dermatologists and hair replacement specialists use PRP injections to treat a type of hair loss called androgenic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern baldness that affects both men and women.

Also, some dermatologists provide PRP treatments for the face (You may have heard these called a “vampire facial”).

Do Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Work?

More studies are needed to see what conditions PRP can work on. So far, research shows that it speeds healing after surgery or injury for certain conditions, like torn tendons. In addition to helping injured tissue heal, some studies show Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment injections curb pain and boost mobility for people with rotator cuff injuries.

PRP injections appear to reduce hair loss in people with male or female pattern baldness. However, it is not clear whether facial PRP injections ease visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging skin.

It can take several weeks for Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment injections to start working. For some conditions, particularly those affecting the skin or hair, it may take up to six months to notice the full effects. For some conditions, including hair loss, you may need to repeat the procedure to maintain the results.