Wharton’s Jelly injection
MONDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2021 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
What is Wharton’s Jelly?
Wharton’s Jelly is the gelatinous connective tissue found in the umbilical cord. This once discarded substance, previously thought of as afterbirth waste, is rich in healing substances and abundant in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Benefits of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Wharton’s Jelly
The mesenchymal stem cells in Wharton’s Jelly are special because they are not readily recognized by the body’s immune system. They are considered “primitive cells,” meaning they have properties similar to embryonic cells. This reduces the risk of an immune reaction when these cells are injected into a patient.
Minimally processed Wharton’s Jelly preserves the growth factors and proteins needed for effective healing.
Who Can Benefit from Wharton’s Jelly Treatment?
Wharton’s Jelly is used in regenerative medicine, which employs naturally occurring cells and substances to promote tissue regeneration and healthy cell growth. This natural substance contains collagen, anti-inflammatory properties, growth proteins, and hyaluronic acid.
Treatment with Wharton’s Jelly can help with various ailments, including:
- Degenerative diseases
- Osteoarthritis
- Ligament and muscle damage
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Chronic pain
- Wound healing
There are no age restrictions on who can receive this treatment, and often a patient will only need treatment once.
How Does Wharton’s Jelly Treatment Work?
A specialized, minimally processed product derived from Wharton’s Jelly is injected into the injured site. While numbing is not always needed, lidocaine may be used for particularly sensitive areas. This process involves a relatively painless pinch of a needle. Once injected, the mesenchymal stem cells begin to transform into the cells needed to regenerate damaged tissue, reducing inflammation and pain, and restoring functionality.
Are There Any Side Effects to the Treatment?
No long-term risks or side effects have been reported. It is important to discuss proper protocols with your doctor before treatment.
Reasons to Undergo Cellular Therapy in Cancun, Mexico with Us
One of the main advantages of receiving cellular therapy treatment in Mexico is the ability to cultivate and reproduce, in a laboratory environment, the cells extracted from patients. This means a patient can receive a much larger concentration of cells, leading to improved results.
Additionally, Mexico is a great option for treatments that require a more invasive approach—a larger operating team, more medical products, and PPE. As one of the Western Hemisphere’s largest medical tourism capitals, treatments in Mexico are performed in hospitals that comply with FDA regulations and are offered at a more affordable price point.
While these treatments require a large investment from the patient, the cost of a multiple-day cellular therapy treatment in Mexico is far more affordable than the same treatment in the United States and Canada, especially without the ability to use culture-expanded cells.
What is the Recovery Period?
The actual injection does not require a recovery period, and most patients can return to their normal daily activities immediately. In cases of injury to ligaments or joints, rest may be required. Please follow your doctor’s advice for the best results from treatment.
Overall, Wharton’s Jelly injection treatment is minimally invasive and can help with a variety of ailments. With its limited side effects and regenerative properties, it is safe for patients of any age.
Contact Us
Talk with us to see if Wharton’s Jelly injection therapy is the right fit for you: Click here
About Cellular Hope Institute
At Cellular Hope Institute, we evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients around the world on a daily basis with the latest regenerative medicine modalities available today.
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Wharton’s Jelly – how does it work?
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 2021 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
What is Wharton’s Jelly?
Wharton’s Jelly is the substance that helps lubricate and support the umbilical cord. What makes Wharton’s Jelly so special is it contains high levels of mesenchymal stem cells. These special stem cells adapt to fit the cells needed to help regenerate damaged tissue and relieve pain naturally.
The Potency of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Wharton’s Jelly
The mesenchymal stem cells that come from Wharton’s Jelly are among the most potent stem cells, rich in regenerative properties. Wharton’s Jelly also contains a good amount of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and anti-inflammatory properties, making them quintessential in regenerative medicine.
The Role of Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine refers to treatments and medicine that are naturally occurring, including stem cell therapies. Mesenchymal stem cells are harvested from the Wharton Jelly found in the umbilical cord, donated by a healthy mother of a full-term baby. These stem cells contain all the regenerative properties needed to help the body heal and relieve pain naturally.
How Does Wharton’s Jelly Treatment Work?
Mesenchymal stem cells are injected into the body and have the ability to transmute into cells needed to repair damaged tissue and relieve inflammation. These cells harness potent regenerative properties that help rebuild the injured part of the body and provide long-lasting natural pain relief. Unlike pain medicines, which provide temporary relief that masks the symptoms and can be harmful if taken long-term, the stem cells found in Wharton’s Jelly are naturally occurring and natural to the body.
Best Uses for Wharton’s Jelly
Wharton’s Jelly is best used in patients with degenerative diseases and musculoskeletal injuries. The anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties work to repair damaged tissues, leading to lasting pain relief and restored function.
What to Expect from Wharton’s Jelly Treatment
Once a patient and doctor have decided on this type of stem cell treatment, patients can expect a relatively painless process. Stem cells are injected into the site and immediately go to work. Injections are virtually painless, and there are no known negative side effects. Patients can generally get right back to the activities they love. Doctors will discuss treatment plans based on individual needs, and in some cases, resting an injured area for a specific period may be needed.
The Effectiveness of Wharton’s Jelly Therapy
The mesenchymal stem cells found in Wharton’s Jelly have proven to be a very successful therapeutic method to treat several degenerative issues and injuries. This therapy is relatively painless, with no known negative side effects, making it an excellent choice in treatment. Instead of masking the pain with dangerous medicine, stem cell therapy offers a naturally occurring solution that aims to repair the damaged tissue and resolve the problem.
Learn More About Wharton’s Jelly Treatment
If you want to learn more about Wharton’s Jelly Treatment and how you can help your patients, you can check our next training course here: Wharton’s Jelly Training Course.
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What’s all the fuss about Regenerative Medicine?
Understanding Regenerative Medicine
Explore the concept of regenerative medicine and its role in healing various ailments using the body’s natural processes.
Benefits of Regenerative Medicine
Discover why patients are turning to regenerative medicine for non-invasive treatments with minimal side effects.
How Regenerative Medicine Works
Extraction and Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Explain the process of obtaining PRP from a patient’s own blood or tissues and its application to promote healing.
Patient Experiences with Regenerative Medicine
Testimonials and Success Stories
Share real-life accounts of patients who have benefited from regenerative medicine treatments, highlighting their positive outcomes.
Future of Regenerative Medicine in Healthcare
Predictions and Trends
Discuss the potential growth and importance of regenerative medicine in future healthcare practices, likening its impact to groundbreaking medical advancements like penicillin.
Training and Implementation in Medical Practice
Integrating Regenerative Medicine
Explore how physicians are incorporating regenerative medicine into their practice through specialized training courses to enhance patient care.
Comparing Regenerative Medicine to Traditional Treatments
Advantages Over Conventional Medicine
Highlight the advantages of regenerative medicine over traditional medical approaches in terms of effectiveness and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion: Embracing Regenerative Medicine
Summarize the potential of regenerative medicine to revolutionize healthcare by offering effective, non-invasive treatments with fewer side effects.
References
Ensure comprehensive citations and references to support claims and information presented about regenerative medicine.
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Platelet-Rich Plasma Stays Quietly Popular Despite Neglect
Introduction
FRIDAY, 27 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
Fact: PRP Treatments in High Demand
According to research, PRP treatments are one of the most in-demand treatments available in healthcare. This is impressive considering the following:
- PRP is not supported by the medical industry. No big pharma funding on extensive research or marketing. No medical associations lobbying to increase its awareness.
- PRP is shunned by the insurance companies. No reimbursements from them. So getting patients to pay is difficult, especially for a treatment that’s relatively “unproven” like this.
- The cost of PRP treatments is actually rising. In 2006, you could get a PRP treatment for $450. Today it costs $800. The cheapest we’ve seen is $650. The prices are still robust as demand keeps up.
The Future Potential of PRP
We believe the best of PRP is not even here yet. We’re just one breakthrough study away from exploding into mainstream hospitals and clinics. We see the biggest growth in Platelet-Rich Plasma happening in Asia.
Strongly Based on Fundamental Healing Theory
The growth can be attributed to PRP’s fundamental healing property. More platelets. More growth factors and cytokines. And therefore more healing. It’s as simple as that. And no one can argue this fact.
Our body’s natural healing mechanism operates with 150,000/ul-350,000/ul platelets in blood. Using Platelet-Rich Plasma means this number is amplified by 3X to 5X. How can this not translate into better healing?
Believe it or not, the best orthopedic doctors use Platelet-Rich Plasma regularly.
PRP’s Applications and Effectiveness
PRP can be used to promote healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints and can be applied to various musculoskeletal problems. They conduct regular studies to test its effectiveness.
Key Study on PRP and Chronic Low Back Pain
One landmark study involved double-blind randomized controlled trials to see the effect of PRP on patients with chronic low back pain caused by torn discs. The study outcome says 60% of the patients felt significant improvements. Some were cured.
Different Variants of Platelet-Rich Plasma
So far, there are the following types of PRP variants:
- Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF)
- Plasma Rich in Platelets and Growth Factors (PRPGF)
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP); Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP)
- Plasma Rich in Platelets and Rich in Leukocytes (LR-PRP)
- Plasma Rich in Platelets and Poor in Leukocytes (LP-PRP)
- Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix (PRFM)
All of them involve plasmapheresis — the two-stage centrifugation process to separate platelets from blood. However, what happens after that can be different. The industry hasn’t found its middle ground as to which variant to be standardized. We believe the confusion will clear up in 3-5 years.
Bio-Factors at Play in PRP
No matter which variant you end up using, the bio-factors at play are the following:
- Growth factors: TGF-B, PDGF, IGF-I, II, FGF, EGF, VEGF, ECGF
- Adhesive proteins: Fibrinogen, Fibronectin, Vitronectin, Thrombospondin-1
- Clotting & Anti-Clotting factors: Proteins, Antithrombin, Plasminogen, Proteases, Antiproteases
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Actually Works
Why is the treatment commonly used for wound healing and pain management? The answer is because the platelets’ main job is to aid coagulation, act as a biological glue, and support stem or primary cell migration. In addition, it also helps in restoring hyaluronic acid and accelerates the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, increasing the cartilage matrix.
Not only that, the platelets are delivered in a clot, which means it can immediately act as a scaffold to enable the healing process. 95% of the bio-active proteins are released within 1 hour of injecting Platelet-Rich Plasma. The platelets continue to release growth factors for 7-10 days. Thus it’s recommended to re-inject PRP every 7 days.
Patient Perspective on PRP Costs
Why are patients coughing up their hard-earned money for this?
This reminds me of hundreds of thousands of PRP treatments paid from patients’ own pockets even though they’ve been paying for years to get covered by their respective insurance providers. In 2015, PRP costs were anywhere between $600 and $800 per site per treatment. And most patients go for repeated treatments. So why were they forking up their hard-earned money if the treatment was not working? Weren’t there any better alternatives under the “coverage” of their insurance provider? The answer is 1) the treatment works. 2) there’s nothing else out there that’s as natural and side-effect-free as PRP.
PRP and Osteoarthritis
Consider the case of osteoarthritis. 27 million Americans are impacted by it. 33.6% of people older than 65 are victims. All of them experience gradual degeneration of cartilage and bones — they lose roughly 5% of cartilage per year. Yet, our medical industry doesn’t have a fix to stop it.
However, when doctors started doing PRP treatments for their osteoarthritis patients, they found a large majority of them had no further cartilage loss. To me, it means we should make PRP treatments the default first-line treatment for osteoarthritis across the country.
PRP in Hair Loss and Cosmetic Applications
Another huge market is hair loss and cosmetic facial applications. I know there are many people who believe PRP doesn’t work for hair. Here’s what one of the Platelet-Rich Plasma studies found were the effect of the treatment on hair loss.
“Hair loss reduced and at 3 months it reached normal levels. Hair density reached a peak at 3 months (170.70 ± 37.81, P < 0.001). At 6 months and at 1 year, it was significantly increased, 156.25 ± 37.75 (P < 0.001) and 153.70 ± 39.92 (P < 0.001) respectively, comparing to baseline. Patients were satisfied with a mean result rating of 7.1 on a scale of 1-10. No remarkable adverse effects were noted.”
I’ll take that. That’s me getting PRP for hair.
PRP Market Growth
The PRP market is expected to hit $126 million in 2016. That number looks paltry. But that’s a 180% increase over the 2009 figure of $45 million.
Consider this. Just for osteoarthritis alone, if all the 27 million Americans receive 1 PRP shot a year at a conservative $400 per treatment, it would be a market of $10 billion. And that’s one condition out of the many that Platelet-Rich Plasma injections are proven to work.
PRP and Tennis Elbow
Another condition that PRP is known to work very well is Tennis Elbow. It affects on average 1% to 3% of the overall population. That number is as high as 50% among tennis players.
Insurance Coverage and PRP
Just getting Platelet-Rich Plasma covered by insurance will unleash the market big time and will help heal millions of patients naturally, more effectively.
Oh ya, that means the insurance companies will have to pay more. Why would they?
Potential Savings for Insurance Companies
HOWEVER, if this treatment could reduce further expensive intervention like surgery, then it may actually be a blessing for the insurance guys in terms of savings. One surgery avoided by a patient through the right intervention through PRP treatments will save the insurance companies at least $25,000. Now, that’s a win-win for both patients and insurance.
I believe it’s a matter of time before insurance companies start realizing their folly of not supporting this treatment.
PRP Still Considered “Unproven”
After all is said and done, it’s still “unproven.” The problem with PRP is that it can be used for just about everything, which is a good problem to have until healthcare officials (and insurance companies) start realizing that people are going to misuse it.
So it’s classified as unproven. The VAST scope of the treatment calls for urgent structure and guidelines. There are some 20+ conditions where researchers have found it “helps” in one way or another. It’s a daunting task to prove its efficiency in all the areas. Nevertheless, we’ll get there. Though we’ll need a lot of funding for that.
Need for Standardization
And yes, we need to standardize the procedure. As well as come up with optimized protocols for each condition. Someone needs to take initiative on that. We’re counting on independent doctors and medical institutions. The big pharma won’t jump in because what’s in it for them, right?
Simplicity and Accessibility of PRP
It’s so simple, you’d be an idiot not to try it. You only need a vacuum blood harvesting tube like what we offer here, a centrifuge with an adapter for the tube, pipettes, and 10ml ampules of 10% calcium chloride.
The only complexity comes from not following a standard PRP system. Because the final platelet count can depend on a variety of factors like the initial volume of blood, the technique used, and the relative concentration of WBC and/or RBC. As well as on the patient’s side, there are factors such as age.
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The Growth Factor Showdown: Plasma Vs Fibrin
WEDNESDAY, 25 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) have been the subject of numerous speculations regarding their efficacy in facilitating angiogenesis, hemostasis, osteogenesis, and bone growth. The primary reason these platelet products are effective is due to the growth factors they carry. Let’s delve into the specific roles of these growth factors in the healing process.
Growth Factors in Platelet-Rich Plasma
These growth factors play vital roles in PRP and contribute significantly to the healing process:
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
Regulates cell growth and division, especially in blood vessels, making it crucial for blood vessel reproduction.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β)
Responsible for overall cell proliferation, differentiation, and various other cellular functions.
Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
Plays a key role in wound healing and embryonic development, influencing the proliferation and differentiation of specialized cells and tissues.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
Essential for vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, VEGF restores oxygen supply to cells when it is inadequate and helps create new blood vessels after injury.
Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)
Found during the epithelialization phase of wound healing, KGF stimulates the formation of epithelium immediately after a wound or injury occurs.
Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF)
Functions in cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, angiogenesis, skeletal development, and tissue wound repair.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Rules
A recent study suggests that PRP and its gelled cousin, PRF, differ significantly in the release of these growth factors, which can affect the healing outcome. The study concludes that:
PRP releases significantly higher proteins at earlier time points, which is beneficial for short-term effects.
PRF shows a continual and steady release of growth factors over a 10-day period, making it more beneficial for long-term healing.
Advantages of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Over Platelet-Rich Plasma
PRF has some notable advantages over PRP, including:
- It doesn’t require thrombin and anticoagulants.
- It results in better healing due to its slow polymerization process.
- It aids in hemostasis.
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Differs from Platelet-Rich Fibrin
Platelet-Rich Plasma is produced using a double spin method: a hard spin to separate red blood cells from everything else in the autologous blood, followed by a soft spin to separate the platelets and white blood cells, resulting in PRP, Platelet-Poor Plasma (PPP), and Red Blood Cells.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin is created using a newer method. After the first centrifugation, the middle layer is taken, containing fewer platelets but more clotting factors. This gradually forms into a fibrin network that traps cytokines and is then centrifuged again to result in PRF, a fibrin layer containing platelets and plasma.
What Matters in Healing
When it comes to accelerating healing, the immediate availability of growth factors and cytokines is crucial. PRP may be more effective in this regard due to its immediate release of growth factors, allowing for repeated injections for additional healing factors just days after the initial injection.
Conclusion
Platelet-derived products are still in their infancy. Despite their potential benefits, more research is needed to fully understand their capabilities. If you’re a physician using any or both of these products, we encourage you to share your experiences with us through our contact form.
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Platelet-Rich Plasma For Melasma — Will It Fade Forever?
WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
For most women, a tiny pimple on the face is enough to ruin their day or week. Even the slightest imperfection that may have a 1% chance of getting noticed by others can be distressing. For these women, melasma is their darkest nightmare. It’s a common issue, often resulting from sun exposure, that causes brown patches on the face. Unfortunately, these patches are often permanent.
The Typical Journey of Melasma Sufferers
If you’re suffering from melasma, the road to “recovery” usually looks like this:
- Hope for Natural Fading: You hope that it’ll fade away on its own.
- Home Remedies: Your friend suggests you try apple cider vinegar and lemon juice treatment.
- Dermatologist Visit: Slightly disappointed, you visit a dermatologist who’ll prescribe a bleaching cream (hydroquinone or similar).
- Full-on Disappointment: The treatment doesn’t work as expected.
- Research: You Google the hell out of the topic and feel overwhelmed by the information.
- Concealers and Makeup: Concealers and makeup become your best friends to cover the patches.
At this point, no one can convince you there is a treatment for getting rid of melasma. Trying more and more treatments only runs the risk of making the condition worse. So, what would you do?
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Melasma
What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)?
According to recent Turkish and Malaysian studies, Platelet-Rich Plasma is showing great promise for melasma. One of the good things about PRP for melasma is that it won’t make the condition worse, unlike IPL, Fraxel, or other treatments. It’s like getting a natural facial treatment with a whole lot of potential benefits, even if it doesn’t help cure melasma.
How Does PRP Work for Melasma?
PRP injections work by supplying growth factors to reduce pigmentation. Being an independent treatment with no downtime, it can be done in conjunction with conventional treatments for melasma to add and enhance effects. PRP contains more than 30 bioactive substances that play roles like increasing skin volume and adding new blood vessels.
Platelet-Rich Plasma with Microneedling
Combining PRP with Microneedling
This is the most common combination for Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy. The combination has produced results for a variety of skin pigmentation issues, making it a valuable option for melasma, especially when creams and peels haven’t helped. More importantly, PRP’s ability to stimulate collagen production in the area tightens the pores and makes your skin glow.
Why Platelet-Rich Plasma?
The Science Behind PRP
PRP is primarily a healing vehicle. It needs to be injected into the membrane below the skin. It works by supplying the underlying skin membrane with collagen and tenascin stimulated by the transforming growth factors in PRP. These growth factors also promote the formation of new blood vessels, sometimes resulting in the disappearance of spider veins.
The released growth factors (mainly platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)) stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts and epidermal cells, and collagen synthesis. Additionally, TGF-ß has been proven to inhibit melanogenesis — or reverse skin pigmentation — the exact opposite effect of exposure to UV-B radiation.
Treatment Results and Maintenance
Typically, patients see excellent results with 2-3 PRP injections in the first 3 months. Clinical studies have shown that the effects maintain after 6 months. However, melasma is known to recur even after successful treatments. Therefore, you must take precautions by using sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection and an SPF of 30 or higher. Avoiding harsh skincare products is also essential as they can exacerbate melasma.
By structuring the article with H2 headings and optimizing readability, this version should be more engaging for readers and better optimized for search engines.
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Platelet-Rich Plasma For Bone Healing: Myth or Fact?
WEDNESDAY, 11 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has a proven record for healing soft tissues and other living tissues. But can it actually heal bones? This could mean PRP, when applied to an affected area such as an elbow joint, knee, or backbone area, heals everything within its reach, including bones. Is that really why PRP works? Let’s examine.
Platelet-Rich Plasma for Bone Healing
Bones are not just lifeless matter attached to living tissues. They are as much living as the tissues themselves and are constantly changing. Old bone cells are broken down and replaced with new ones in a three-part process called bone remodeling. This involves resorption (digestion of old bone cells), reversal (birthing of new cells), and formation (new cells turn into fully formed bones).
This process, like other biological processes in the body, requires hormones and growth factors. Some of these include parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol, insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), prostaglandins, tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), and cytokines. For this discussion, we need to remember only one thing: a large number of cytokines and growth factors are involved in the bone remodeling process. This means we can accelerate the bone remodeling process by supplying these cytokines and growth factors as suggested by various studies.
Why Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), being completely “whole and natural,” can more closely simulate a highly efficient in-vivo situation than anything else made up of artificial recombinant proteins. In PRP, we take advantage of the biological benefits of growth factors whose functions we know as well as those we do not know yet. From the 15+ factors we know are in PRP, including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), platelet factor 4 (PF4), interleukin 1 (IL-1), platelet-derived angiogenesis factor (PDAF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived endothelial growth factor (PDEGF), epithelial cell growth factor (ECGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), osteocalcin (Oc), osteonectin (On), fibrinogen (Fg), vitronectin (Vn), fibronectin (Fn), and thrombospontin-1 (TSP-1), we’re supplying a “holistic” set of nutrients for healing that cannot be mimicked by those obtained artificially.
PRP: Organic Fertilizers for the Body
The difference with PRP is akin to adding chemical fertilizers versus organic fertilizers to plants. Chemical fertilizers are rich in essential nutrients that we know are needed for crops. On the other hand, organic fertilizers supply nutrients not only to the plants but also to the soil, improving the soil structure and tilth, water-holding capacity, reducing erosion, and promoting slow and consistent release of nutrients to the plants. Clearly, organic fertilizers are better, aren’t they?
Platelet-Rich Plasma is like organic fertilizers for our body.
Bonus: Strong Antimicrobial Properties
PRP’s healing function also has synergistic antimicrobial properties. A new study confirms that using Platelet-Rich Plasma in surgeries may have the potential to prevent infection and reduce the need for costly post-operative treatments. That’s a nice bonus for the organic fertilizer of our bodies. Perhaps there are more benefits to discover.
Conclusion
The scope of Platelet-Rich Plasma is growing as the scientific community continues to unearth its inherent properties. PRP is an unignorable and unavoidable component of healing.
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7 PRP Treatments That Are Popular Right Now
TUESDAY, 10 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
The time it takes to draw a patient’s blood, add a little citrate, and use a centrifugal machine with a PRP kit is only 15-20 minutes. This is the amount of time needed to create Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP. This can then be used for many purposes, including speeding up a patient’s recovery. PRP is by far the best healing agent that has growth factors and platelets to help with the healing process, which is also completely free and natural to obtain.
What are The Advantages Of Using PRP Correctly?
It is easy to create PRP simply by placing blood in a centrifuge, but it can have very few, if any, platelets and would otherwise be useless. However, with the right equipment, you can make PRP with up to 7x the amount of platelets. This can be amplified by using fat tissue and collagen fibers to create a PRP matrix.
7 Popular PRP Treatments
1. Facial Treatments
Many skin centers are thriving due to being one of the first to adopt PRP therapies. With the lack of side effects or downtime, it became incredibly popular. These treatments include wrinkle reduction, skin rejuvenation, dark circle and bag erasure, rosacea treatment, and even lip augmentation. One popular and generic treatment option includes combining PRP and a treatment known as microneedling. When this is applied, its effects are similar to Botox or facelifts, for far less cost and side effects.
2. Hair Loss
PRP growth factors can be beneficial when it comes to reversing non-genetic early-stage hair loss. Despite there being a huge market for this, almost no practitioners actually utilize it. Many clients have seen promise after hair thinning, and many have seen beard regrowth over time.
3. Arthritis and Cartilage
Arthritis treatments alone cost patients 6.4 billion dollars in 2013 for the US alone, with projections of up to 9 billion by the end of the decade. However, unlike other treatments, PRP is seen as the only treatment that can not just reduce symptoms but also regrow the cartilage. One of the most popular examples would be treatments for Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.
4. Anti-aging Properties
When it comes to the anti-aging market, there are endless treatments and procedures available. Yet, none of them even stand close to the effectiveness of PRP therapy. PRP combined with microneedling can be highly effective for stretch marks, acne scars, breast augmentation, and even skin conditions like Lichen Sclerosus.
5. Pain Relief and Musculoskeletal Healing
There are numerous treatments in this category, many of which are incredibly more effective than leading treatments. These include healing rotator cuffs, tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, back pain, hip and pelvic problems, degenerative disc disease, golfer’s elbow, labral tear, bursitis, neck pain, avascular necrosis, and even pain related to nerve regeneration. Almost all of these treatments, unlike those in other categories on this list, also use ultrasound guidance when injecting the PRP directly into the affected tissue. This can allow patients to see fantastic results in as little as two weeks.
6. Fertility
Ovarian rejuvenation is where PRP is injected directly into a woman’s ovaries. This is meant to help reverse menopause and help lower fertility issues. This treatment can even be used for sexual regeneration. Although similar, this treatment is not the same as other treatments where PRP is injected into the vagina and is supposed to treat looseness, dryness, low sex drive, and incontinence.
7. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Allergies, asthma, and COPD are among the growing list of conditions that PRP is being used to treat. For this to work, the PRP is mixed with a saline solution and then, using a nebulizer, inhaled, helping to regenerate lung tissue. Although it can take up to two months for patients to see the effects, many are seeing improvements. Almost 1 million people suffer from COPD a year, so anything that can help treat the condition is beneficial.
The Future of PRP
PRP has been trending rather well in recent years and seems to be here for the long term. Not only is it a fully natural remedy, but it is one that works better than most, if not all, traditional treatments. Many like it due to the fact that there are few side effects, it only takes a short amount of time, and there is no recovery period.
PRP has been adopted by thousands of clinics and practices throughout the US and the world. The demand for these treatments has been increasing almost faster than practices are choosing to provide them. Many patients are even willing to travel long distances just to receive these treatments.
So, are you providing PRP treatments yet?
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How Foot and Ankle Surgeons Can Benefit From PRP
TUESDAY, 03 APRIL 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
Since it is a new science, many people are skeptical about Platelet-Rich Plasma, otherwise known as PRP. There are some studies out there that state that PRP works no better than a similarly administered placebo, but there are many other studies and doctors that claim that PRP works and works well. This also works well at a much lower cost and with fewer side effects than traditional medicine. One branch where the skepticism is loud and clear is podiatry, which deals with feet and ankles. Trying to combat this skepticism can help many surgeons to lower complication rates, improve patient satisfaction, and have better outcomes. For instance, here is a list of cases where PRP has been effective for the feet and ankles.
Plantar Fasciitis
PRP has become rather common as a treatment for Plantar Fasciitis, with many studies to prove the efficacy of this treatment. For instance, Dr. Daanial Kassicieh of Sarasota Neurology claims that PRP is one of the most effective treatments for this condition and that PRP can actually fully cure it. Many of his patients have avoided surgery just by utilizing PRP therapy. This is done with no downtime, no rehabilitation, and no side effects. This would explain why plantar fasciitis is the 5th most popular medical condition treated by PRP. This can be explained by the fact that over 3 million people are diagnosed with this condition and no other treatment really works for it besides, in fact, PRP.
Achilles Tendonitis
This is another condition that can be fairly hard to treat and gets worse over time unless healed. Many surgical approaches are often tricky and generally do not end up with good results. Because of this, the main treatment option is simply to give patients corticosteroids to reduce the pain, but really nothing else to treat the symptoms. However, there have been many studies done that have shown that PRP is a lot more effective, including those from the European Foot and Ankle Society. This means that PRP is a safer and more effective alternative than any other treatments available.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Diabetic foot ulcers can be troublesome, especially when they do not heal or heal properly. Over 2.5 million Americans with diabetes suffer from these ulcers. About 11% of these cases may need amputation of the affected limb. However, some studies have noted that just one injection of PRP and a topical solution bi-weekly started to heal the ulcers in just 8 weeks. Topical PRP has also been shown to work better than antiseptic creams as well.
Regenerating Bones
Bone regeneration is most commonly needed in the foot and ankle area. Although mechanical stabilization works best, the utilization of PRP has been surprising. PRP helps with healing bones and soft tissue at the damage site. According to a recent systematic review of 64 articles, the conclusion was to include more PRP therapy into the healing of foot and ankle bones. The science behind this is solid. For bone or tissue to form, three things are needed in the area:
- A scaffold for the growth to take place
- Biological stimulants to signal proteins
- Stem cells that provide bone-building potential
All three of these are crucial for bone formation. PRP can provide at least two of these, so there is no reason to ignore it when it comes to bone regeneration.
Ankle Sprains
This is an incredibly common condition and can be effectively treated by using PRP therapy. In one randomized controlled trial, researchers studied the effects of PRP injections on athletes with ankle sprains. This study showed that not only did PRP reduce the healing time by 20 days, but they also experienced much less pain. This can reduce the recovery period from 6 weeks to just about 2 or 3 weeks.
Immobilization is Vital
When it comes to foot and ankle-related injuries, one thing that really cannot be avoided is rest and rehabilitation. This is true regardless of whether PRP is administered. Because of this, many of the studies that show PRP to be ineffective often don’t use rest and rehabilitation, and that alone can be an issue. PRP is in no way a magic pill. All foot injuries need rest and rehabilitation in order to properly heal. With these two combined, it can drastically reduce healing times.
How Can Foot and Ankle Surgeons Benefit?
Using PRP in foot and ankle injuries is not going anywhere, so utilizing it would be the best way to go. Test it out with your patients, and try using platelet-rich plasma therapy instead of simply prescribing pills or doing costly surgeries. Your patients will thank you in the end.
- Published in Blog
Why Should you Include PRP In Your Medical Practice?
MONDAY, 26 MARCH 2018 / PUBLISHED IN BLOG
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has been a lifesaver for many medical practices, reigniting physicians’ passion for medicine. Not only is it 100% derived from the patient’s own body, but it is also natural and comes with minimal side effects. PRP can treat a wide range of medical conditions, often outperforming other treatment options.
The Simplicity of PRP
One of the most compelling reasons to include PRP in your practice is its simplicity. With an initial investment of about $1000, you can start offering PRP therapies. The equipment is relatively inexpensive and pays for itself quickly.
Long-Term Popularity
PRP is not a passing trend. It has been gaining popularity for years and shows no signs of slowing down. The market for PRP therapies is expected to reach nearly $500 million within the next decade, with an annual growth rate of 12.5% since 2015.
High Patient Satisfaction
Patient satisfaction is another significant advantage. In certain cases, satisfaction rates have been as high as 95%. Patients are often surprised by the efficacy of PRP, believing that their conditions could not be reversed or halted without side effects, downtime, and invasive surgeries.
Meeting the Growing Demand
Now is the time to start including PRP in your practice. The supply is low, but demand is booming. PRP therapies hold great promise, especially when combined with other treatments to increase efficacy. Since no standard has been established, you have the opportunity to set these standards yourself.
Be a Pioneer in PRP Therapy
It is vital that more doctors utilize PRP therapy to become pioneers in this field. PRP has the potential to revolutionize medicine, and missing out would not be a smart option.
Versatility Across Specialties
PRP can be utilized in almost every field and specialty, from sports medicine and pain management to skin rejuvenation, hair care, and even urology. Most physicians who use PRP treatments have also seen higher patient retention rates.
Conclusion: A Smart Addition to Your Practice
So, is there a legitimate reason not to add PRP to your practice? With its simplicity, high patient satisfaction, growing popularity, and versatility, PRP is a smart addition to any medical practice. Start offering PRP treatments and watch your practice thrive.
- Published in Blog
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