Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Prolotherapy

PRP - Platelet Rich Plasma

Platelet rich plasma is an injection procedure that uses concentrates from your own blood, the platelet rich portion of your plasma, to help your body heal and regenerate, naturally. Platelets are very small cells in your blood that are involved in the clotting and healing process. When PRP is injected into the damaged area it causes a mild inflammation that triggers a healing cascade. As the platelets organize in the treatment area, they release a number of enzymes to promote healing and tissue responses, including attracting stem cells and releasing growth factors to repair damaged tissue. As a result, new collagen and elastic fibers begin to develop. As the collagen matures, it begins to shrink, causing a tightening and strengthening of the tissue in the damaged area.

Physical Conditions that can Benefit from Injection Therapies:

• Knee Injuries
• Shoulder Injuries
• Rotator Cuff Tears
• TMJ Dysfunction
• Tennis Elbow / Golfer's Elbow
• Joint Instability
• Lower Back Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Support for Hair Regrowth

Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy is a safe, simple regenerative medicine injection treatment used to strengthen weak and damaged ligaments and tendons due to chronic injury or over-use. Many patients with stretched, torn, or injured ligament and joint attachments have difficulty returning to pre-injury level of functioning due to limited blood supply to these structures. Chronic anti-inflammatory/ NSAID use or overuse of steroid injections further impairs this process. Surgery can often produce scarring and limited range of motion without addressing the root cause of dysfunction. 

The technique requires injection of Dextrose or Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), and methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) precisely into the site of pain or injury, where the ligament or tendon attaches to the bone, joint capsule, trigger point or inside joint. Prolotherapy creates a mild, controlled inflammation that stimulates the body to lay down collagen with the formation of new tendon, ligament, and cartilage, resulting in a strengthening of the weakened structure. This injection process stimulates the body’s natural wound repair process. A typical treatment course is 3-6 series of injections, given every 3-4 weeks. Prolotherapy has been used for over 60 years with numerous case reports and an increasing number of controlled studies showing its effectiveness. 

PRP Facials and Hair Restoration with Microneedling 

When treating injured or sun and aging damaged tissue, a remodeling of the tissue to a healthier and younger more elastic state occurs with PRP.  A microdermal needling PRP facial can have rejuvenating and lasting effects without the use of harsh chemicals, acting as a natural anti-aging regimen. Our providers are trained and certified in the microdermal needling technique. This process will  apply micro-needles to the skin, opening  up micro channels in the dermal and subdermal layers, thus stimulating collagen production as well prompting  the mobilization of the body's  innate healing properties to  rejuvenate the skin. To this, our certified providers will add your own platelet rich plasma (PRP) to further enhance the micro-needling process. 

Hair loss or thinning is a sensitive issue affecting both men and women. It can be attributed to many factors such as hormonal dysregulation, poor nutrient status, genetic predisposition, and stress. The best way to tackle hair loss is to optimize the internal environment of the body (hormones, DHT, and inflammatory markers) in conjunction with external modalities such as PRP hair restoration.  The PRP is injected into the affected areas in a series of quick injections into the scalp. We can also use the micro-needling technique to open up and stimulate the follicles and apply the PRP to these areas for an enhanced outcome.  This PRP contains growth factors and nutrients that may help enhance the hair density, quality, and increase blood flow to the scalp in order to re-stimulate the hair follicles to regenerate. The therapy is done once every 30 days for 3 months, then every three months as follow up care. Working with a team of integrative providers can provide the best avenue for healthy results. Read more on microneedling for hair growth  and facials.

Benefits of PRP and Prolotherapy: PRP has been shown to have overall rejuvenating effects on the skin and healing effects on joints including:

• Improved skin texture to a more youthful appearance
• Decreased appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Increased tissue volume via production of collagen and elastin
• Diminished and improved appearance of scars
• Improved texture and thickness to skin damaged by radiation therapy
• Improved collagen of joints, ligaments and tendons to relieve joint pain
• Minimal down time and short recovery period
• Very low risk
• No general anesthesia required
• Pain reduction
• Prolotherapy has been shown to have benefit to resolve pain and improve function.

What to Expect

To perform PRP your blood is drawn by a professional phlebotomist or doctor. The blood is spun in a centrifuge and the platelets and growth factors from your blood are concentrated into a syringe and injected back into your body at the desired location. This is an outpatient procedure and does not require anesthesia. Your doctor may review your x-rays or MRI prior to the injection. They may use ultrasound or physical exam to guide the injection. To perform prolotherapy, fluid containing dextrose, lidocaine and some vitamins will be injected into the affected area. There is some discomfort with the injection but then the area will become numb for several hours. You will need somewhere between 1 and 6 injections typically depending on the severity of the problem.

Will it Hurt? 

We strive to assure your experience is pleasant!  We offer complimentary nitrous gas to help alleviate any discomfort or anxiety. Nitrous oxide has been safely used throughout the world for pain and anxiety management for many decades, and continues to be used worldwide today. After your procedure, the effects of the nitrous will wear off within minutes. Your experience matters and we make it a priority.

Who is a good candidate for PRP?

You are a good candidate for PRP if you have chronic joint pain due to mild to moderate osteoarthritis, or tendon or ligament problems. PRP can also be used to help rejuvenate aging skin, remodel scar tissue and support hair regrowth.

Call to Schedule your Consultation and Treatment. Available at both our Delmar and South Burlington locations:

Meet with one of our doctors or other medical providers to discuss your objectives and begin your treatment. Call us today with your questions; we will discuss our lower and competitive fees, and your treatment goals. 518.689.2244, option 2 for Delmar, NY office or 802.891.3459 for our South Burlington, VT office.

A New Approach to Hair Loss- A Guide to PRP Treatment for Aesthetics