What is Platelet Rich Plasma?
Injuries are an unfortunate part of life and can occur more frequently as you age. Sometimes injuries are particularly hard to recover from and just seem to persist. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is plasma that has a higher concentration of platelets than normal plasma and it can be used in treating musculoskeletal injuries. Additionally, PRP has also been shown positive results in treating hair loss and erectile dysfunction in men.
What is Plasma?
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. It is composed of mostly of water and proteins and provides a medium for red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to circulate throughout the body.
What are Platelets?
Platelets are cells contained within the plasma of our blood that bind together when they recognize damaged blood cells. They are an essential part of our body’s healing process, for example, when you get a cut, platelets recognize the damaged blood vessels and bind the blood vessel causing a blood clot. Overall, they assist the body with the healing process.
What are PRP Injections?
Platelet Rich Plasma Injections consist of the patient’s own platelets to accelerate the healing of a variety of injuries and other ailments. PRP is created by taking your own blood and running it through a centrifuge to concentrate platelets and the concentration of growth factors. These concentrated platelets are then injected into an injection site, usually directly into the injured tissue.
The side effects of PRP injections are commonly limited as PRP uses your own blood to supercharge the healing process. The side effects most commonly associated the PRP injections are pain and swelling at the injection site for two to three days after the procedure. Additionally, some patients may experience stiffness for a few days are the procedure. Commonly, these symptoms will dissipate after a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medicine.
How Does PRP Work?
PRP releases growth factors that stimulate and increase the number of reparative cells that your body produces. PRP has been found to significantly increase the body’s healing ability, improve damaged tissue, and work as a pain reliver to damaged areas.
What is PRP Treatment Used For?
PRP treatment can be used for many things including healing injuries, reversing hair loss, and alleviating symptoms of erectile dysfunction. PRP treatment is commonly used to treat musculoskeletal injuries like tennis elbow, tendon injuries, and ligament injuries. It helps treat these injuries by increasing the healing process, getting you back on your feet quicker to do the things you love and enjoy.
PRP can also be used as a hair loss treatment and is effective in preventing hair loss. A PRP injection for hair loss works stimulating hair growth. PRP is injected deep into the scalp simulating growth factors in cells generating new hair and improving the density and health of existing hair.
PRP may also work as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction. PRP for ED works in men that have damaged penile tissue. The PRP injection releases growth factors that generate growth of new blood vessels and heal damaged erectile tissue. The result is repairing damaged tissue and the growth of new healthy tissue. As blood flow is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection, the growth of new blood cells can increase blood flow helping you have a stronger erection.
Advantages of PRP Therapy
There are many advantages of PRP therapy because PRP injections use your own blood and body’s healing ability to repair injuries and a relatively non-invasive. Many traditional treatments for musculoskeletal injuries provide temporary relief that will dissipate over time. PRP therapy provides a long lasting, permanent solution that will not wear off over time. This can be true as a hair loss and erectile dysfunction treatments. PRP is not just treating the symptoms of the problem, it is healing your body and treating the root causes of your problems.
Additionally, it has the advantage over certain pain relievers, especially prescription opioids which can be very addictive, and the use of PRP injections provided the pain relief that is associated with pain reliever without the side effects and potential addictive nature of pain relievers.
PRP injections are noninvasive and accelerate the body’s healing process. Unlike a surgical procedure, PRP injections require minimal down time and do not require a rehabilitation process. This is an advantage over surgical repair of damaged muscles or tendons or penile implant surgery. Additionally, PRP injections accelerate the healing process. Whereas pain relievers and hot and cold therapies can help with pain relief and provide a minimal amount of inflammation relief and bodily repair, PRP injections work with the body to create growth factors that both provide pain relief and accelerate the healing process. This will leave you with less pain and have you back on your feet quicker than traditional treatments.
Schedule an Appointment with Alpha Men’s Center Today
Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy can change your life in many ways. It can get you back on your feet faster after an injury, help you regain your hair, and help with erectile dysfunction. The team at Alpha Men’s center is here to answer all your questions and concerns about PRP treatment in Philadelphia and explain to you the advantages and how it will work for you.
Contact Alpha Men’s Center to schedule an appointment today by visiting their website or by calling them at 484-685-1301 to discuss PRP therapy.