PRP for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can significantly interfere with daily life—limiting mobility, disrupting sleep, and affecting emotional well-being. For individuals living with persistent musculoskeletal pain, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections offer a promising, natural alternative to traditional treatments like steroids or long-term medications.

prp for shoulder

How PRP Works for Chronic Pain

In the context of chronic pain, PRP is believed to support regeneration in soft tissues, joints, and tendons that have been worn down or damaged over time. While research is ongoing, clinical studies suggest that the high concentration of growth factors can stimulate repair mechanisms that are otherwise inactive in chronic conditions.

Benefits of PRP vs Traditional Treatments

PRP therapy is becoming an appealing option for chronic pain sufferers seeking relief without long-term medication use or invasive procedures. Compared to conventional treatments, PRP offers several advantages:

PRP TherapySteroid InjectionsPain Medications
Uses the body’s natural healing processTemporarily reduces inflammationMasks pain without healing the source
May support tissue regenerationMay weaken tissues with repeated useRisk of dependency and side effects
Long-term improvement with fewer sessionsShort-lived relief requiring repeat dosesNot curative
Low risk of allergic reactionPotential for systemic side effectsSystemic impact on kidneys, liver, and GI tract

PRP is particularly appealing for patients seeking to delay or avoid surgery, or for those who haven’t found relief through physical therapy, NSAIDs, or cortisone injections.

Possible Risks and Side Effects

While PRP is considered a low-risk procedure, it’s still important to understand the potential side effects:

Because PRP uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reaction is minimal compared to other injected substances. It’s a well-tolerated procedure for most patients, but individual results can vary.