Blood is composed of four main components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Unsurprisingly, platelet rich plasma has a much higher concentration of platelets (about 5-10 times greater) than blood. PRP is beneficial for regenerative purposes because platelets contain natural sources of growth factors, as well as proteins and cytokines that stimulate the healing of bone and soft tissue. As such, PRP promotes cell repair, which in turn can lead to decreased inflammation and reduction in pain. 

A PRP procedure consists of four stages:

• First, the doctor will draw some of the patient’s own blood. 
• Second, the blood is spun in a centrifuge, which separates different components of the blood.
• Third, the doctor modifies the PRP formula to suit the needs of the patient.
• Fourth, the PRP is injected directly into the injured tissue.

On its own, PRP may be an effective treatment for acute conditions –– like sports injuries. This is one reason why some high-profile professional athletes have chosen PRP treatment as an alternative to surgery. PRP is often inappropriately used to address chronic issues, such as habitual joint pain. For chronic pain, it’s recommended to use stem cell therapy or stem cell therapy in combination with PRP.