3 Signs of a Labral Tear in Your Shoulder
Something’s not right in your shoulder — maybe there’s a loss of flexibility or you’re experiencing pain. There are several possible culprits and a shoulder labrum tear might be one.
Myths and Facts About PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is changing the way we approach many musculoskeletal issues, and we’re seeing great success in this regenerative approach to healing. Despite these successes, there are still many myths that surround this innovative and effective treatment.
At Valiant Life Medical, our team helps our patients overcome a wide range of painful conditions, from osteoarthritis to tendonitis, using an integrative approach that focuses on healing from within through regenerative medicine. As part of our regenerative services, we offer PRP therapy, which taps the power of your platelets to speed healing and repairs.
To gain a better understanding of PRP therapy, here’s a look at some of the myths and facts that we’ve encountered.
PRP therapy is new
False. While you may only be learning about PRP therapy now, this approach to healing has been around for decades. Starting in the 1990s, researchers began to realize the clinical efficacy of PRP therapy in helping tissues heal more quickly.
PRP treatment is dangerous
False. PRP therapy is one of the safer approaches to healing since it’s autologous, which means we’re using tissues from your own body. As a result, your body readily accepts the PRP, allowing your platelets to get right to work.
Of course, there are always risks, and the main ones here are irritation or soreness at the injection sites. These side effects, however, aren’t all that common and are usually short-lived.
PRP is for cosmetic applications
False. You may have heard of the “vampire facelift” or the use of PRP therapy in combating hair loss. While these applications do exist, the orthopedic world was among the first to start using PRP therapy to help heal hard and soft tissues, including bone, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and muscle.
PRP helps you heal faster
True. The platelets in your blood not only help clot your blood, they also release powerful growth factors that aid in healing. For example, these growth factors help with repairing the damaged tissues and encourage new blood vessel formation, which helps bring in more healing resources.
PRP helps with inflammation
True. One of the benefits of PRP therapy is that it helps to control inflammation, which is great news for those with arthritis. By relieving the inflammation, it allows you to strengthen your surrounding support tissues for better all-around joint health.
Ultimately, we’re excited about the potential of PRP therapy, as this approach to healing is long on results and short on risk. Not to mention, we feel that a regenerative, rather than an interventional, approach to healing offers far more sustainable results.
If you’d like to explore how PRP therapy can help with your musculoskeletal issues, please contact our office in Fort Worth, Texas, to set up an appointment.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How We Can Help Relieve Your Carpal Tunnel Pain
For such a seemingly minor issue — inflammation in your wrist — carpal tunnel syndrome can be very uncomfortable. The good news is that there are many ways we can help.
Can PRP Therapy Help My Rotator Cuff Injury Heal Faster?
Injuries to major connective tissues like the rotator cuff are notoriously slow to heal. While patience and rest are still keys for healing, platelet-rich plasma injections may help shorten the recovery journey.
Joint Injections and Physical Therapy: Your Complete Rehabilitation Plan for Chronic Knee Pain
You’ve been hobbled by painful knees, and you long to get back to moving without wincing and groaning with every step. With strategic joint therapies and some targeted exercises, we can help you get there.
Understanding How MLS Laser Therapy Can Treat Your Sciatica
The pain that comes with sciatica is singular — it’s strong, it radiates, and it can render life pretty miserable until the nerve quiets down again. One way to make this happen more quickly is through MLS laser therapy.
4 Best Practices to Slow or Prevent Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
November is National Diabetes Month in the United States, so let’s spend some time discussing one of the bigger threats when it comes to this chronic disease — peripheral neuropathy.