If you’ve ever experienced neck pain, you know how unbearable it is. It can affect your ability to drive, work, and even get a good night’s sleep. Rest and pain relievers might help temporarily, only for the pain to return with a vengeance.
At PRP Clinic at The Golab Center for Back & Joint Relief, we understand the physical and psychological stress caused by chronic neck pain. That’s why we offer platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for our patients with chronic neck pain so that you can finally get the relief you deserve.
Neck pain is the 4th leading cause of years lost to disability in the United States, affecting women more than men.1
There are many common causes of neck pain, a few of which include:
Most cases of neck pain resolve within a few weeks with conservative treatments like gentle stretches and over-the-counter medications. Shockingly, nearly 50% of individuals continue to experience some degree of neck pain.1
Chronic neck pain may interfere with your daily activities and even reduce your quality of life. If you’re experiencing chronic neck pain, you need treatment that actually heals, not one that just suppresses the pain. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may just be what you’re looking for.
Your body already has powerful, natural healing capabilities. But we may be able to “tweak” them to enhance their effects.
That, in essence, is the basis of PRP therapy.
As its name implies, PRP consists of two main components, platelets, and plasma. Plasma is responsible for circulating your blood cells and nutrients throughout your body. Platelets are blood cells that help your blood clot when you suffer an injury.
Platelets have another critical function — healing. They contain an abundance of growth factors, proteins, and signaling chemicals that, when released, play a critical role in tissue regeneration.
In a healthy person, the normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 and 350,000 cells/microliters of blood.2 By spinning down your blood at high speeds (a process called centrifugation), the platelet concentration can be dramatically increased.
The high concentration of platelets found in PRP may help regulate:2,3
The PRP preparation is injected into the affected area of your neck, which prompts healing and repairing cascade.
The concentration of platelets can vary depending on individual patient characteristics, such as your age, medical conditions, and blood circulation.2 Your PRP treatment may also include other components of blood, such as leukocytes, a type of white blood cells. Talk to your provider about which type is best for you.
The answer may depend on the exact cause of your neck pain.
Although results from clinical trials are limited, the early results are promising.
One single-center study compared the safety and effectiveness of PRP injections to treat neck and low back pain caused by spinal disc herniation. Eighty-eight patients were included in the study: 38 had cervical disc herniation, 38 had lumbar disc herniation, and 12 had both. The treatment was highly successful, with 87% of the patients reporting significant improvements in their symptoms. Most remarkably, successful outcomes were observed in some patients 8 years after the procedure, demonstrating the durability of PRP’s benefits.4
A recent study looked at the effectiveness of PRP injections for people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Neck pain following whiplash injury can involve strain to the connective tissue that covers and closes the joints between each vertebra, otherwise known as the facet capsule. Seventy percent of the 44 participants reported a significant reduction in pain, while 80% reported improved disability. At the 3-month follow-up, 41% of the patients said their neck pain decreased by more than 50% .5
Another research team presented a case of a patient who was treated with a PRP injection for cervical discogenic pain. Three weeks after the procedure, the patient reported significant improvements in her neck pain. Furthermore, the range of motion of the neck increased from 45 degrees to 70 degrees for the left rotation, and from 60 degrees to nearly 90 degrees for the right.6
Your provider will provide instructions on how to prepare for your appointment. Some medications like anticoagulants or NSAIDs may need to be stopped.
The entire PRP process, which includes preparation and injection, takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
At PRP Clinic at The Golab Center for Back & Joint Relief, you can expect the following steps:
| Step One |
| A technician will draw a small sample of blood from you, which will be placed in a tube. |
| Step Two |
| The vial is placed in a centrifuge, which spins the blood at high speeds. This separates the platelets from the other blood components. |
| Step Three |
| We remove the tube from the centrifuge and separate the plasma layer from the other layers which are then discarded. |
| Step Four |
| Once the PRP solution is prepared, your provider will inject it into the affected area where the healing process begins. |
Because PRP triggers a cascade of biological responses, you may experience some soreness or swelling in the injection area for a few days. We recommend taking it easy for a few days after your treatment.
You should notice a gradual reduction in discomfort over the next few weeks as your neck tissues heal. If your symptoms worsen, please contact our clinic.
Because PRP is an autologous therapy (derived from your own blood), it has an outstanding safety profile. There is no risk of an adverse reaction or disease transmission. Talk to your provider if you’re taking any medications or if you experience any severe discomfort after your injection.
Chronic neck pain – regardless of the cause – should never be ignored, especially if you’re experiencing any weakness or numbness in your arms or legs. Seeing your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation is the first step in preventing more serious problems.
Depending on the cause and severity of your neck pain, you may want to consider PRP injections. Results from research studies suggest PRP may be a safe and effective alternative to more invasive treatments like surgery.
If you’re in the San Antonio, TX area and are suffering from chronic neck pain, call us today at (210) 405-7820.
Call us today to learn what PRP can do for you.
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