Back pain is a problem.
About 65 million Americans report a recent episode of back pain, and about 16 million adults report chronic or persistent back pain. That’s 8% of all adults in chronic pain.
Those who have chronic back pain have likely tried a wide variety of treatments, including physical therapy and medication, that are not as effective as they’d like them to be.
Here at Regenerative Pain & Spine, PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that our team has used to great effect with our patients. Here’s how it works.
What is PRP therapy?
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy takes advantage of the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It’s a form of regenerative medicine that emphasizes the body’s natural growth and repair factors.
Plasma is simply the liquid portion of your blood, composed mostly of water and proteins. It provides a medium to carry red and white blood cells and platelets throughout your body. Platelets, or thrombocytes, are small, colorless fragments of cells designed to help your blood clot to stop bleeding.
With PRP treatments, Dr. Shoeb Mohiuddin uses concentrated injections of your own platelets to speed up the healing process in the injured area of your body. Using platelets from your own body helps avoid allergic reactions to outside substances.
Blood will be taken from your body and run through a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are then injected into your back; this releases growth factors to stimulate the healing process.
How does it treat back pain?
PRP therapy can be used with multiple injuries in your body, including rotator cuff tears, Achilles injuries, tendinitis, and more. When it comes to back pain, PRP therapy is often an effective treatment for pain caused by a disc injury or joint arthritis.
The platelets will be injected into the area in your back where the pain seems to be originating. An X-ray or ultrasound is sometimes used to guide precise placement of the injection. The growth factors and proteins can then go to work healing and restoring damaged areas of tissue and bone to relieve pain and bring back normal function of your spine.
PRP therapy can be used on both kids and adults. The pain relief it provides can last from six months to a year and possibly longer.
If your current back pain treatments are not getting the job done, Dr. Shoeb Mohiuddin and his team will be happy to help. To make an appointment, call one of our four Chicago-area offices or use our online schedulers, and we’ll begin the process of getting you pain free!
