Natural Pain Relief Without Drugs and Surgery: How PRP Therapy Can Transform Your Health
It’s no longer news that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy has been used in medicine for a while, for example, in dermatology: for hair growth, facial treatments, and more. But did you know how PRP procedures can relieve chronic pain?
Pain specialist at Clinic Agatas, anesthesiologist Dr. Asta Mažeikaitė-Banevičienė , shares insights on why it’s worth looking at pain treatment from a new perspective and how PRP therapy is used in chronic pain management.
"First and foremost, the main principle of PRP is to provide patients with natural healing using platelets from their own blood. Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is considered a form of regenerative medicine that enhances and utilizes natural growth factors found in our own blood cells to treat damaged tissues.
So, the treating specialist, with the assistance of medical staff, draws blood, which is then centrifuged. Afterward, the separated plasma, rich in platelets, is injected into the affected body area to accelerate the healing of damaged joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, or tendons. One of the main benefits of PRP is that it can reduce the patient’s need for anti-inflammatory drugs or opioids," explained pain specialist Dr. Mažeikaitė-Banevičienė.
How Do Medical and Dermatological PRP Procedures Differ?
"The basis of PRP is the same – in dermatology, it is often used to improve skin and hair condition, while in pain treatment, it promotes tissue healing and reduces pain. The main difference is the target area, purpose, and centrifugation process for PRP injections. Thus, for patients suffering from pain who wish to try PRP therapy, it is recommended to choose a clinic where PRP centrifugation yields no less than 10 billion platelets, as only such a quantity has an effective healing effect," clarified the specialist.
What to Expect During and After a PRP Procedure
After consultation, assessing the patient’s complaints, reviewing radiological images, and conducting a comprehensive examination, it is determined if the procedure is suitable. The prepared PRP solution is injected into the affected body area. The procedure, from blood collection to injection, takes up to an hour, while the healing process takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Why Is It Important for Pain Procedures to Be Performed by a Pain Specialist?
"This doesn’t mean that other specialists can’t specialize in pain management, but anesthesiologists typically do so for substantial reasons. Their field covers the management of both acute and chronic pain, from pharmacotherapy to complex interventional procedures, along with knowledge of pharmacology, neurology, and physiology, essential for effective pain treatment," said Dr. Mažeikaitė-Banevičienė. Due to their broad knowledge and experience, anesthesiologists specializing in pain management are prepared to diagnose and treat various pain conditions. They can develop personalized treatment plans, encompassing therapies from regenerative medicine to advanced technologies.
Another important factor is that Clinic Agatas’ pain specialists work as a team. "We need to move away from single-specialist treatment; this practice is no longer applied worldwide. That’s why, as the founder of Clinic Agatas, I can confidently state – my goal as a doctor is to help the suffering patient as much as possible, providing assistance here and now. The Clinic Agatas team consists of experienced professional doctors, including pain specialists who work with physiotherapists, neurologists, psychiatrists, medical psychologists, dietitians, ozone therapists, and only when conservative treatment fails – neurosurgeons. I have been working in pain management for over 10 years, and Clinic Agatas has been in operation for 6 years. During that time, we have achieved excellent results together with our team and patients who trusted us," shared Dr. Mažeikaitė-Banevičienė
Clinic Agatas is the first private pain treatment clinic that employs not only pain treatment specialists but also, if needed, minimally invasive surgeries performed by neurosurgeons. We are here to provide comprehensive and professional assistance in one place. The Clinic Agatas team can help you remember who you were before the pain.
Appointments with a pain specialist can be made by phone at +37060226118 or online.