In the quest for optimal health and wellness, innovative regenerative medicine treatments that harness the body’s natural healing ability are in high demand. One such cutting-edge treatment offered at OWM Integrative Wellness is Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, also known as PRP. This regenerative treatment has been in use globally for over two decades and is transforming the way we approach various wellness needs, from chronic pain reduction to skin rejuvenation and hair restoration.
What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
As the name suggests, PRP is plasma—the liquid component of blood—enriched with a high concentration of platelets (typically ten times higher than normal). This is significant because platelets contain growth factors and cytokines which are essential for healing, tissue regeneration, and cell reproduction. In a PRP treatment, a patient’s own blood is drawn and then processed to extract the platelets. This Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is then reintroduced to the treatment site to enhance the body’s natural healing response and produce long lasting results with a much shorter healing time than surgery.
Since PRP is created from the patient’s own blood, the chances of an adverse reaction are minimal to none. The treatment process is simple and begins with a medical professional drawing the patient’s blood, very similar to routine blood work. Blood consists of various cell types, including red cells, white cells, and platelets. To separate the platelets from the other cells, the blood sample is placed in a centrifuge—a device that spins and processes the blood at a high rate of speed. At OWM Integrative Wellness, a double-spin technique is used to achieve the highest concentration of PRP available in order to maximize results. Depending on the specific treatment, the PRP is then injected into the injury site or needled into the skin or scalp.
Applications of PRP
PRP therapy is remarkably versatile and can be used for a variety of conditions:
Repairing Injured Tissue and Reducing Pain
PRP injections are used to treat a variety of orthopedic and degenerative conditions. They can address issues such as arthritis in the spine, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. PRP is also an excellent alternative to surgery for tendon or ligament tears, including rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow, and Achilles tendon tears. At OWM Integrative Wellness, an ultrasound is used during the procedure to ensure precise placement of PRP in the joint space and surrounding ligaments and capsules. This unique osteopathic approach done at OWM includes not only PRP injection into the injured joint, but also stabilization of the surrounding joint and ligament structures.
Dr. Kaplan uses new advanced techniques that allow PRP to last longer after each procedure.
Platelet rich fibrin is prepared to form a natural healing biological dressing that can be injected around nerves and into tendon and muscle tears. This dressing lasts up to fourteen days and offers strong healing.
Extended release PRP is a new technique, where PRP is processed and combined with a special compound that allows it to last for up to twenty days in the area of injury. This technique is perfect for joints with extensive arthritis, where a much longer healing time is required.
PRP for Skin Rejuvenation
PRP can also serve as an anti-aging treatment in cosmetic medicine by improving the health of the skin. Aging, influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, damages the skin, leading to a loss of collagen and elastin which are the proteins that keep skin plump and elastic. When injected into the skin, PRP growth factors stimulate collagen regeneration, offering a natural alternative to volumetric fillers. When the PRP is micro-needled into the skin, microchannels are created, allowing deeper penetration of the PRP and further promoting collagen regeneration.
Hair Restoration
Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) is the leading cause of hair loss, impacting over 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. In men, it usually presents as a receding hairline and thinning at the crown, whereas in women, hair loss generally happens uniformly across the scalp, with the hairline remaining intact. AGA is associated with hormonal changes and metabolic imbalances that can disrupt the blood supply to hair follicles. PRP injections into the scalp activate growth factors and stem cells, reducing hair loss, stimulating new growth, and enhancing the health of existing follicles.
Integrative Wellness
At OWM Integrative Wellness, we help to enhance overall wellness and long-term health by offering comprehensive care tailored to your unique needs. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a promising treatment that leverages the body’s natural healing abilities.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, looking to rejuvenate your skin, or seeking hair restoration, PRP therapy at OWM Integrative Wellness could be the solution you need. Contact us today to learn more about how PRP can help you to look and feel your best!
