The Healing Power of Platelets

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy harnesses the power of your blood's platelets to trigger your body's natural healing process. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is a revolutionary treatment that can treat a wide array of conditions.

Age management medicine physician Rolando Alvarez, MD, and the team at PharmXhealthOne are devoted to using the latest advances in medicine to promote optimal wellness. Platelet-rich plasma therapy is most commonly used to treat arthritis and sports injuries.

However, this cutting-edge therapy can also treat hair loss, help accelerate recovery from surgery, and tackle fine lines and wrinkles. In this blog, Dr. Alvarez discusses what you should know about this breakthrough therapy.

What are platelets?

Your blood is made of a number of components. One of them is platelets. These tiny cells circulate in your blood and bind together to form clots and stop bleeding.

However, they also play a major role in the healing process. Besides binding together to stop bleeding, they also bind together to release proteins called growth factors. Growth factors have key roles in repairing damaged tissues.

Growth factors orchestrate a cascade of healing activities by dividing, migrating, and forming new connective tissues. Additionally, growth factors also stimulate new blood vessel formation and recruit nutrients to damaged tissues.

How is PRP therapy performed?

PRP therapy involves creating a concentrated serum of platelets, and hence, a concentrated supply of growth factors. The concentration of platelets in PRP therapy is much higher than the amount that normally circulates in your blood.

First, some of your blood is drawn. Then it's placed in a centrifuge, where the platelets are separated from the rest of your blood's components. The platelet serum is then injected into the damaged or affected area. Once injected, the platelets go right to work repairing the area.

Multiple sessions are usually needed. Dr. Alvarez will create an individualized treatment plan to address your needs.

Which conditions can PRP therapy treat?

Platelet-rich plasma therapy can treat a number of orthopedic and cosmetic issues, including the following:

Orthopedic conditions

• Rotator cuff tears
• Tendonitis
• Achilles tendon tears
• Golfer's elbow
• Osteoarthritis

Platelet-rich plasma therapy is effective in treating orthopedic injuries and disease because the platelets treat the damage at the source.

Cosmetic conditions

• Hair loss
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Scars
• Stretch marks
• Issues with aging skin

Because PRP therapy stimulates new cell growth, it can help improve your complexion and skin texture to restore a more youthful facial appearance. Platelet-rich plasma therapy can also be combined with other treatments to maximize results.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy may just be the next best thing to a fountain of youth. Whether you desire to restore your youthful glow or ease pain and restore function from an orthopedic injury, PRP therapy may be able to help you. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with PharmXhealthOne today.