Can PRP Therapy Ease Arthritis-Related Joint Pain?

Nearly 60 million adults in the United States have arthritis, which is the medical term for joint inflammation. Though there are many types of arthritis, treatment primarily focuses on relieving joint pain.

At Legacy Pain and Regenerative Medicine in Plano and Addison, Texas, our experienced chiropractor and family nurse practitioner, Dr. Trace L. Alexander, takes a different approaches to pain management. For our patients with arthritis-related joint pain, we often use techniques that support the body’s natural healing procesess like osteoopathic therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. 

Since May is Arthritis Awareness Month, we think it’s a great time to talk about arthritis and how innovative treatments like PRP therapy can ease the pain. 

Arthritis and joint pain

Arthritis isn’t a disease, but a symptom: inflammation of the joint. There are more than 100 known conditions that cause arthritis. 

Though symptoms vary, arthritis is marked by joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Most people diagnosed with arthritis have osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that causes joint inflammation due to the wearing away of the cartilage that separates and cushions the bones that make up a joint.

Arthritis is progressive, so it worsens over time. But you can take steps to slow down the disease process. We use chiropractic care to improve joint alignment and mobility, easing pain and inflammation. We also offer PRP therapy for arthritis to support the body’s natural healing process.

PRP therapy

PRP therapy uses your own platelets to stimulate and support healing. Platelets are tiny cells that circulate in your blood. When you have a cut or an injury, platelets come together to form a blood clot to stop the bleeding. The platelets also release cytokines and growth factors that initiate healing of the damaged tissue.

PRP therapy is a blood product that has a higher concentration of platelets. We make the PRP using a sample of your own blood and then inject it directly into damaged or diseased tissue to reduce inflammation, ease pain, and support the repair process. 

We use PRP therapy to treat all types of injuries and pain conditions, including arthritis-related joint pain. 

PRP therapy for arthritis

Research suggests that PRP therapy can reduce arthritis-related joint pain. It works by decreasing inflammation in the joint and stimulating repair of the damaged cartilage. People seem to gain the most benefits during the early stages of their joint disease, when pain is mild to moderate. 

Because we use your own blood for PRP therapy, the risk of side effects is low. However, because PRP relies on your body’s natural healing process, results aren’t immediate. And, your symptoms may get worse before they get better. You may notice improvements in your pain within a few weeks or months.

People are seeking alternative therapies to ease their pain and improve their quality of life. If you want to learn more about PRP therapy and how we use it to treat arthritis-related joint pain, call our office today to schedule a consultation.