You've probably heard that the human body is a powerful healing machine. But did you know you can jump-start that healing and magnify it many times over? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses your own blood as a potent healing tool. From sports injuries to chronic pain and hair loss, PRP offers an exciting new treatment avenue. At Center for Wellness MD, Dr. Asela Russell and our dedicated team are regenerative medicine pioneers now offering this leading-edge treatment conveniently in our Greenwood Village, CO, office.
Your body can heal itself, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy enhances this natural process using components from your blood.
Whole blood contains layers of different cells, including:
- Red Blood Cells
- White Blood Cells
- Platelets
- Plasma
The platelets and plasma contain powerful growth factors and proteins. They can stimulate tissue healing and regeneration. PRP is powerful because it magnifies your body's ability to repair and restore itself. This holds true whether you're dealing with chronic pain, an injury, or hair loss.
PRP For Injuries and Chronic Pain
PRP is particularly useful for soft tissue injuries, but surgeons have even used it to help repair bones during surgery. Some of the most common uses for PRP here at Center for Wellness MD are:
- Tendon, muscle, ligament, joint, or disc injuries
- Chronic inflammation and pain in these areas
- Spinal pain
- Tennis elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Gluteal tendinosis
PRP places a massive influx of growth factors directly at the site of an injury — up to 10 times the amount normally responding to an injury. This can stimulate rapid healing and pain relief. For some, PRP therapy may reduce the need for potentially habit-forming medications or invasive surgeries. For example, people with chronic knee arthritis might be able to delay or even avoid a knee replacement.
PRP for Hair Restoration
PRP therapy can also treat hair loss. Its growth factors stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair growth. Essentially, the PRP can awaken dormant hair follicles and make them move into an active growth cycle. In addition to bringing dormant follicles back to life, PRP may help your already-active hair follicles produce better quality, thicker, and stronger hair. While research is ongoing, this treatment has shown great promise for individuals experiencing thinning hair or hair loss.
The PRP Therapy Process
We draw a small amount of blood from your arm for PRP therapy. We use ultra-thin needles, so it's a simple process. Next, we use an advanced machine, a centrifuge, to rapidly whirl the blood. This separates the layers of blood cells, platelets, and plasma. We then take only the concentrated plasma and platelets for your treatment.
The next step depends on the area we're treating. For hair restoration, we may administer the PRP through microneedling, using closely spaced needles to create microscopic tunnels (microchannels) into your scalp. After microneedling, we apply the PRP, which travels down into these microchannels. Once there, it jump-starts hair follicle revival. Or, we may inject the PRP in your scalp using a single needle instead. We tailor your hair restoration to your symptoms and hair regrowth goals.
With injuries and chronic pain, we inject the PRP directly into the problem area. Our team may use imaging guidance to pinpoint the ideal location for the injections.
Most patients get the best results with several injections spaced at least several weeks apart. We customize a treatment plan based on your goals and your body's response to the initial injections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soft tissue injuries, joint pain, and hair loss are common uses of PRP.
Studies are ongoing, but results so far have been very promising. PRP has a unique, powerful ability to stimulate healing and self-renewal.
PRP treatment is generally very well-tolerated. We do everything possible to minimize discomfort and ensure a smooth treatment experience. Most patients say that any temporary minor discomfort is worth the healing benefits!
The results build with each treatment session. Most patients experience results in around six months or less.
This may vary by individual. Many patients enjoy up to a year of symptom relief. We recommend periodic touch-up treatments for hair restoration.
Cost depends on treatment area, number of injections, and other factors. We discuss your projected treatment plan before starting. Insurance companies usually consider PRP an experimental treatment, but some policies may cover medically necessary PRP therapy in certain cases.
One of the reasons PRP is so popular today is because it allows many people to avoid pharmaceutical interventions. Many drugs today, especially those for chronic pain, can have unpleasant side effects. Or, worse yet, they may be highly habit-forming. Plus, drugs are only a quick fix. Their effects generally last only a few hours, leaving you right back where you started. With PRP, you can repair your body from the inside, giving you a long-lasting natural solution.
Why Choose Us For PRP Therapy?
Dr. Russell is a board-certified physician with decades of experience. She's recognized in the medical field as a tireless innovator because she has continued expanding her training and knowledge, particularly in the area of regenerative medicine. Whether you're looking for aesthetic PRP for hair loss or help with injuries or chronic pain, Dr. Russell has the unique, specialized training to help you maximize the natural healing process and avoid invasive interventions.
PRP Therapy in Greenwood Village, CO
At Center for Wellness MD, we offer a full spectrum of groundbreaking science-based wellness care in a comfortable, inviting environment. If you're curious about PRP and whether it can help you, call our office at 303-309-3660 to book your consultation.