PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma); is this good for sports injuries or is it just another overpriced medical procedure? Some of our patient who run have experienced PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy which is promoted as a way of healing weakened tissues so they no longer hurt. Apparently, as per an article in the Daily News, the benefits are as follows: "speed healing and quickly get runners back to running, to cut healing times by half or more to muscle, ligament and tendon tears, Achilles tendondosis, plantar faciitis, tendonititis of the elbow, shoulder ailments, meniscus and labral tears in shoulders, knees and hips, back pain, arthritis, etc. The procedure involves injections into the tissues in question which is supposed to accelerate healing. You can read more about this below. Some of our patients have said it is helpful, while others have said that they are not sure whether it helped. All of them complained about the cost. While it is natural for us to want to treat where it hurts, the problem's solution is often found in why, which means the mechanism behind the pain is what requires repair, rather than the area itself. There are other less expensive methods such as Graston which is quite effective in resolving scars that often affect the fascia and its function, resulting in pain. Myofascial Release is also quite effective. In a few cases, the combination of PRP and the chiropractic approach worked best while also using Graston and Myofascial Release Treatment. Check out the article here, although be forewarned it sounds more like an advertisement rather than a research based article. Since most athletes are unfamiliar with PRP, this article can be helpful in your arsenal of treatments that are available for athletic injuries. Running Doc: PRP is good for all kinds of sports injuries NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Sunday, February 2, 2014, 11:31 PM Dear Running Doc: My doctor suggested PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy for my back pain. Is this a mainstream practice yet? I know insurance doesn't cover it yet. I just want to understand the process more. Please help. Victor K. Port Washington, NY Victor: Most sports medicine physicians now consider PRP injections as major an advance in sports medicine as the MRI. I write about PRP injections all the time since they are now available to everyone. Now that they are widely available, I am doing them in my office as a treatment to speed healing and quickly get runners back to running, to cut healing times by half or more to muscle, ligament and tendon tears, Achilles tendondosis, plantar faciitis, tendonititis of the elbow, shoulder ailments, meniscus and labral tears in shoulders, knees and hips, back pain, arthritis, etc. The only downside side is cost since insurance companies are not covering this regenerative therapy as yet. Here is how PRP works: A physician takes a sample of your blood (approximately 20cc) and using a special centrifuge, spins it down for 14 minutes. This separates out a layer of platelit rich plasma, with white blood cells (lymphocytes which activate the platelets) which is then injected into the area needing regenerative therapy. This accelerates healing so fast it is truly remarkable. The Pittsburgh Steelers' Hines Ward had this done in the two weeks before his MVP Super Bowl and did great. I have seen patients do just as well, though sometimes it takes two or three treatments. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/prp-works-kinds-sports-injuries-article-1.1600024#ixzz2sMV4UHwe