Have you ever considered using something that is already in your body to heal pain in other areas of your body? The platelets and plasma that make up much of our blood contain certain proteins and nutrients that promote natural healing processes. Whether you suffer from joint pain, sprains, or arthritis, PRP injections can help alleviate this pain through this regenerative process.
Being unfamiliar with this treatment can make you feel a little overwhelmed and anxious before your appointment. Knowing PRP injections will help but not knowing what to expect can be daunting. The main thing you should know is that the process is quick and the pain is minimal. The results will be well worth minor discomfort for a short period of time. This blog will walk you through the whole process: deciding when it’s the right time for the procedure, how to prepare, the injection process, and what recovery looks like.
When is the Time Right?
If you have been dealing with joint pain in the shoulders, hips, ankles, lower back, knee, etc., PRP injections are a great procedure to consider. If you have also dealt with specific ailments for a long time, such as arthritis or ACL injuries, these injections can help repair and restore tissues. Other than pain and inflammation, PRP injections can also help with cosmetic concerns, such as hair loss, by regenerating growth cells in the hair follicles. Whether you need a solution to a cosmetic problem or an injury you’ve dealt with for a while, PRP injections are a great holistic alternative to other treatments.
Oftentimes, much of this pain is simply covered up by medication. Through PRP injections, you are holistically healing your damaged tissue cells from the root. If you have been dealing with pain and other methods are not sufficiently working, consider consulting with a doctor to see if PRP injections would be the right fit for you.
How to Prepare
It is important to prepare properly during the weeks prior to your appointment so that the procedure can be as effective as possible. If you are taking any steroid medication, stop taking it three weeks before your appointment so your blood can adjust. When it reaches a week before your treatment, stop taking medications that can thin your blood, such as Ibuprofen or Aspirin. The day before and the day of your appointment, focus on eating a nutritious meal and drinking plenty of water so that your body is ready to endure the injection.
Injection Process
Receiving the PRP injection is quick and easy. This whole process can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic that specializes in joint pain injections.
The first step is to draw a sample of blood from the patient’s arm. It is then put into a centrifuge machine which spins it and separates the plasma from the platelets and creates a high platelet concentration solution. This process takes around 15 minutes and the doctor will discuss with you the exact injection site while you wait for the solution.
After the PRP solution is ready, it’s time for the injection. The part of the body that is receiving the injection will be numbed to avoid any discomfort from it. Then the process is finished. The growth factors will start working to heal your body. After the anesthetic wears off, you may experience mild pain over the next couple of days, but nothing too extensive.
What Recovery Looks Like
It is important to rest to ensure the cells are regenerating and growing. For the first couple of days after the injection, ice the area to help manage any pain or further inflammation. You should also avoid anti-inflammatory medication, so ice will be your best friend during this time. Bruising may occur at the injection site but should go down on its own after about a week.
After about 2 weeks of rest, you can start to ease back into simple exercise and light medication if needed. Your doctor may also recommend you go to physical therapy to aid you in recovery by strengthening and mobilizing your joints and muscles. Depending on the severity of pain before the injection, a full recovery usually takes anywhere from 3-6 months.
Conclusion
PRP injections have proven to relieve pain and inflammation naturally from these specific conditions. Combining it with other holistic treatments, such as physical therapy, can immensely improve your condition and speed up the healing process. It’s a great way to heal from the inside out instead of temporarily resolving the problem with medication. This is a treatment that provides longevity and sustainability. If you are interested in seeing how PRP injections could help you, get in touch with a doctor to get back to a pain-free life that you love.
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