PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) therapy and stem cell therapy are often used separately, but when combined, they work well to promote tissue regeneration and relieve pain. PRP promotes general healing, and stem cells fill very specific needs. Though the therapies are different, they both manipulate cells to form a treatment. This article will break down the basics of the cells, how they are used for treatments, and how they can work together as a powerful form of therapy.

Stem Cells & Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are the cells from which all other cells in the human body are made. They are essentially the blank building blocks that can become every other type of cell. They can turn into bone cells, brain cells, muscle cells, nerve cells, and most important in this topic, blood cells. 

The stem cells are collected from the umbilical tissue, umbilical blood, Wharton's Jelly, and placental membrane. In a lab, the DNA is removed, leaving the cell as an open structure that can be differentiated to become certain cells and injected into a patient where it will become the necessary type of cell. The stem cells take on the form of the surrounding cells when injected into specific areas. This procedure works to heal degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, heart disease, cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Platelet-Rich Plasma & PRP Therapy

Platelets come from the body's blood. They are the body's number-one healing mechanism. Their job is to clot the blood and release specialized proteins called growth factors.

To collect the platelets, blood is drawn from a patient and run through a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the blood and concentrates the light-weight platelets while the heavier cells sink to the bottom of the machine. The remaining blood is given back to the patient. Then the highly concentrated platelet blood, platelet-rich plasma, is injected into a specific area of the patient that needs healing or pain relief. PRP therapy is used mainly to treat and decrease the pain of bone and tendon problems.

The procedure for PRP therapy takes about one to two hours. The therapy is usually done a few times to achieve the best results. Results are not a cure, but their benefits do last for several years before additional therapy is needed. 

PRP & Stem Cell Therapy Together 

These therapies work great together because they both minimally invasive, simply using injections to deliver the cells, and they decrease the need for opioids because they reduce pain. Also, since both therapies are created from human cells, the body will not reject the treatment or have negative side effects.

Together, these therapies work to treat numerous tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint conditions. Arthritis, back pain, tendon pain, ACL injuries, carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, sprains, and strains, are just some conditions that can be helped with the use of PRP stem cell therapy. There have also been studies with PRP and stem cells as a form of wound care because they stimulate the body's ability to form new tissue.

PRP therapy stimulates the body's ability to heal itself, and stem cell therapy creates new cell growth where the body is damaged. Therefore, when used together, these therapies work twice as well to provide relief from certain injuries and illnesses. Look into the PRP stem cell therapy treatment centers in your area see if you would be a candidate for their treatments.