Regenerative medicine is quickly gaining popularity as patients seek alternatives to surgery and invasive treatments. Treatments such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell therapy are being used to treat injuries, pain, and damaged tissues. However, the two treatments are not the same.
How do stem cell therapy and PRP therapy differ?
How long does stem cell therapy last? How long does PRP therapy last?
Is PRP a type of stem cell therapy?
Read on for information on the differences between stem cell therapy and PRP therapy.
Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are produced naturally by the body. They are the building blocks for all other cells including blood, muscle, bone, and more.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
For use in regenerative medicine treatments, mesenchymal stem cells are first harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue. The adult stem cells are injected back into the damaged area of the body.
The stem cells trigger the body’s immune system as the cells differentiate or duplicate into the appropriate cells. To help heal the body, stem cell therapy treats pain, reduces inflammation, and repairs or replaces damaged tissues.
How Long Does Stem Cell Therapy Last?
Following a stem cell injection, the stem cells may continue to create new cells for up to a year. Pain relief results vary from patient to patient depending on the treatment area, extent of the damage, and personal healing abilities.
Is PRP a Stem Cell Therapy?
PRP is not a form of stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy and PRP therapy are two distinct forms of regenerative medicine. Both treatments trigger the body’s natural healing responses, but the methods are different.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Our blood is made of platelets and plasma. The platelets contain healing properties that kick in when the body is wounded and bleeding. The platelets help form blood clots to stop bleeding and to start the healing process.
What Is PRP?
As a revolutionary regenerative medicine treatment, PRP therapy involves harvesting a sample of the patient’s own blood. The blood is spun in a centrifuge which separates and creates a high concentration of platelets.
This new concentration of platelets is reinjected into the desired treatment site to trigger the body’s natural healing processes. PRP therapy is used to treat sports injuries, arthritis, tendinitis, and muscle and joint injuries. The injections help reduce pain and inflammation in the treatment site.
How Long Does PRP Therapy Last?
Results from PRP injections may vary for each patient. Patients may experience relief from several months to a couple years. PRP treatments are not permanent. Touch-up injections may be needed.
Which Is Better Stem Cell Therapy or PRP Therapy?
Both treatments are advanced forms of regenerative medicine that help the body heal by triggering natural responses within the body. These treatments use the patient’s cells or platelets so nothing new or foreign is introduced to the body.
However, the methods and uses are slightly different. PRP is often used to help in areas that may naturally heal on their own, given enough time, or areas that need a little boost. Stem cell therapy is more advanced and may be used for more significant damage.
Ultimately, the treatment used will be up to you and your physician based on your needs.
Schedule an Appointment with Stem Cell Carolina
At Stem Cell Carolina, Dr. Ahmad, our board certified physician, performs stem cell and PRP treatments. Using the latest technologies and techniques, he performs the treatments in the comfort of our Charlotte office. We strive to help patients avoid surgery, reduce their pain levels, and improve their mobility as quickly as possible.
For more information on the differences between PRP therapy and stem cell therapy in Charlotte, contact Stem Cell Carolina. We offer affordable regenerative medicine treatments to help patients save money, avoid surgery, and regain their mobility as quickly as possible.
Schedule an appointment today!
