As a powerful alternative in the treatment of acute (recent) or chronic (long lasting) pain related to injury, aging or both, we are utilizing products which have been shown to be quite effective when used in treating these conditions which is common in many if not all of us.



The benefit of such treatments, is that these products are derived from our own blood and have been referred to as platelet rich plasma (PRP) or PRFM which is PRP in a more gelatinous form.

Throughout the world, these treatments have been shown to be extremely effective in pain management at times resulting in the avoidance of surgery altogether or at least in delaying the need for surgical intervention for many years into the future.

By a similar blood drawing process (as is done for routine blood tests) your blood is taken then concentrated and then placed back directly into the areas requiring treatment such as muscle tears, bursitis, joint arthritis and tendinitis. These platelets contain over 30 bioactive proteins many of which have an important role in the healing of such conditions. In addition there are other products known as growth factors which are responsible for tissue healing and remodeling. The ultimate effects of these combined components is in the reduction of inflammation along with the reduction of pain from this toxic inflammatory environment.

What is plasma and what are platelets?

Plasma is the liquid portion of whole blood. It is composed largely of water and proteins, and it provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to circulate through the body. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are blood cells that cause blood clots and other necessary growth healing functions.

Platelet activation plays a key role in the body's natural healing process.



What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and what are PRP injections?

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses injections of a concentration of a patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. In this way, PRP injections use each individual patient's own healing system to improve musculoskeletal problems.

PRP injections are prepared by taking anywhere from one to a few tubes of your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. These activated platelets are then injected directly into your injured or diseased body tissue. This releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells your body produces.

Ultrasound imaging is sometimes used to guide the injection. The photographs below illustrate a PRP injection into a patient's torn tendon. The ultrasound guidance is shown at left and the injection is shown at right.