Platelet-rich plasma therapy is very helpful in treating back pain and its related symptoms. These can include numbness, bowel dysfunction, pain while moving, etc. Today, millions of people are affected by back pain due to their lifestyle of long-sitting daily. Although we have physical therapies, pain medications, and surgeries available as some of the favorable options to treat back pain. PRP injections stand out because of their promising treatment & benefits.
In this blog post, we will discuss PRP injections for back pain in detail.
How do PRP injections work?
Platelet-rich plasma therapy involves the extraction of platelets from a patient’s own blood. Then, they are concentrated and finally injected into the patient’s blood to initiate the healing process. A platelet-rich plasma injection is essential for tissue repair and regeneration as platelets have growth factors and cytokines.
Here’s a description of what these growth factors do when injected in the back:
Stimulate Cell Proliferation
PRP therapy, under proper chiropractic care, helps promote the proliferation of various cell types. These include fibroblasts and stem cells and are responsible for tissue repair.
Enhance Collagen Protection
Collagen is an important protein present in the connective tissues. PRP injections can stimulate its production, ultimately resulting in the repair of damaged tissues.
Reduce Inflammation
PRP also holds anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling in the back.
Improve Blood Flow
Back pain occurs as new blood vessels stop forming. PRP therapy can stimulate their creation & as a result, improve the blood flow in the back.
Common Back Conditions Treated with PRP
Degenerative Disc Disease
The human body has discs in the spine that wear down over time. Due to this, they can cause chronic pain & reduce mobility. In this case, PRP injections can help stimulate the repair of damaged disc tissues by reducing back pain.
Facet Joint Syndrome
There are facet joints located between the vertebrae. Due to arthritis or injury, these become inflamed and cause pain. PRP therapy can be useful here to reduce this Inflammation and promote healing eventually.
Herniated Discs
When a disc herniates, it can compress nearby nerves. As a result, you can suffer from pain and discomfort. Here, PRP therapy helps treat back pain.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis. And, it can sometimes be a source of lower back pain. Here also, you can use PRP therapy to diminish pain & improve joint function.
Benefits of PRP Therapy for Back Pain
Platelet-rich plasma therapy offers various advantages for back pain:
Natural Healing
As the procedure uses the patient’s own blood, there are no chances of allergic reactions or infections. The patient will heal him/ herself.
Minimal Downtime
The process is also minimally invasive. As a result, the patient can get back to his or her normal activities in a short span.
Reduced Reliance on Medications
There are some medicines available to treat back pain. Sometimes, these come with side effects. However, with PRP injections, there are no chances of any possible side effects.
Potential for Long-term relief
Painkillers and some medicines offer short-term relief from back pain. On the other hand, PRP therapy may offer long-term relief from chronic back pain.
Potential Risks & Considerations
Like any other medical process, PRP therapy also comes with some risks:
Pain and Soreness
There are chances that you might experience temporary pain and soreness in your back pain after PRP injection.
Infection
Although the cases of infection from PRP are rare. But we can’t ignore the rare possibility of infections.
No Guaranteed Outcome
While PRP therapy provides relief to the patients, there is no clinical evidence to support that the treatment will be effective for everyone.
How Long Should You Rest After PRP Injection
After a PRP injection in the back, although proper recovery takes time, it’s recommended to rest for the first 24-48 hours. During this duration, avoid strenuous physical activities. Otherwise, the back will not heal properly. Get a proper chiropractic treatment from an expert. He/ she will guide you on physical therapies to increase your recovery period.
If you are suffering from back pain & want to go to a chiropractor in “The Villages”, Legacy Clinic is here to help! We provide the best chiropractic treatment for PRP injections in “The Villages.”