Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy in Vancouver
Utilizing components of your own blood to improve musculoskeletal health
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a nonsurgical regenerative injection technique used to stimulate joint and connective tissue healing and regeneration.
OverviewA regenerative injection therapy (RIT) used to stimulate healing of musculoskeletal structures, including tendons, ligaments, and joints. | BenefitsImproved joint function, increased range of motion, regenerated tissue, and decreased pain. |
About
About Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelets primarily control the healing cascade that occurs after injury.
Platelets release various types of growth factors that stimulate the migration of the body’s own stem cells to the site of injury, where they differentiate and promote healing of injured ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) injections provide a huge influx of platelets to the site of injury.
Along with platelets, and growth factors, PRP concentrates fibrin and mesenchymal stem cells at the site of injury, amplifying the body’s natural tissue repair and healing process.
Our Approach
An Integrative Approach to Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy
At Integrative, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment protocols vary with each patient based on their individual needs, immune status, and severity of injury. The average person requires 2-6 treatment sessions given at 4-6 week intervals, although many patients report positive changes after 2 treatments. More serious or chronic injuries require longer courses of treatment.
Optimal nutrition, supplementation, stress management, adequate sleep, and physical manipulation are all factors that influence healing. Your Doctor will help guide you through this process to optimize your response to PRP injections.
Your Doctor may include testing methods, to evaluate whether you are a good candidate for PRP injections. These methods may include:
Applications
Applications of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Clinically, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have a high success rate for most types of musculoskeletal pain. PRP Injections can be used to treat a wide variety of concerns such as:
- Joint pain and dysfunction at the site of the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, spine, wrists, fingers or toes
- Tendon or ligament tear
- Sports injuries
- Labral or meniscal tears
- Arthritis
- Joint degeneration
- Degenerated discs
- Pain or injury that has been unresponsive to other RIT (prolotherapy, neural prolotherapy, etc.)
How it Works
How does Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy work?
Overview of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy
A small amount of your blood is drawn and spun in a specific centrifuge in the Integrative Lab. This process concentrates the platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is injected directly into damaged tissue, stimulating the body’s own natural healing cascade.
Targeted Area of the Body
PRP injections can be utilized in any area of damaged tendon, ligament, cartilage, or disc.
Health Benefits of Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP injections enhance blood flow, nutrient delivery, stem cell migration, and new collagen formation at the site of injury. Tissue is remodeled, resulting in thicker, stronger, and more elastic tissue.
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First Visit
What does your first visit look like?
Your first visit is the opportunity for you to share your health goals, and for your doctor to gather vital health information that will help them to determine the root cause of your health concerns, and the best treatment plan for you.
One
Complete Medical and Lifestyle History
Your doctor will take a complete history, gathering details regarding your current and past health concerns, lifestyle, as well as current supplements and medications.
Two
Testing
If needed, your doctor will recommend tests, either at Integrative or with your medical doctor. They may also requisition results from tests you’ve completed in the past.
Three
Physical Exam
Within your first visit, your doctor will also perform a physical exam, assessing the site of your pain as well as connected structures. This may include a gait assessment, Applied Kinesiology, orthopedic tests, or ultrasound imaging.
Practitioners
Your Participating Practitioners
The Naturopathic Doctors at Integrative are primary care providers with expertise in a wide variety of functional medicine techniques, including Pharmacology, herbal medicine, nutritional science, and acupuncture. This knowledge allows them to apply a truly Integrative approach to each of their unique patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
View all FAQs 
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What do Platelet Rich Plasma injections treat?
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections can treat many types of musculoskeletal pain, including but not limited to degenerative joint disease, arthritis, back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, SI joint pain, knee pain, herniated discs, carpal tunnel syndrome, soft tissue injury associated with whiplash, chronic tendonitis, labral tears, and sciatica. PRP injections are especially useful when prolotherapy injections have not provided optimal results.
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Am I candidate for platelet rich plasma treatment?
Only a practitioner trained in Advanced Injection Therapies, including platelet rich plasma injections, can determine whether or not you are a good candidate. At your first visit, your Doctor will determine if you are a good candidate and will recommend a treatment plan.
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How much does platelet rich plasma treatment cost?
The cost of platelet rich plasma treatment will vary depending on how many injections are required; whether ultrasound is utilized; the number of total treatments required; and the utilization of any other injection methods. At your first visit, your Doctor will provide a quote for your subsequent visit and treatment.
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What are the possible side effects of platelet rich plasma treatment?
Typical side effects of platelet rich plasma treatment include pain; swelling of the area; mild bruising; reduced range of motion; and stiffness. These side effects are typically transient. Your Doctor will do a full review of potential side effects prior to your treatment.
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How many treatments of platelet rich plasma injections are typically required?
The response to treatment varies, depending on the overall health of the patient, severity of injury, and chronicity of injury. Most people only require a few treatments, but some may require more. The average is 2-6 treatments. Treatments are typically spaced 4-6 weeks apart. Once you begin treatment, your Doctor will be able to monitor how you respond and provide a better estimate of how many treatments may be required.
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Is Platelet Rich Plasma treatment covered by MSP or Extended Health Plans?
No, Platelet Rich Plasma treatment is not typically covered by insurance providers. Your visit will be with a Naturopathic Doctor; an extended health plan may cover the cost of the visit but rarely covers the cost of the injection itself. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly prior to your visit to determine your coverage.