PRP: An All-Natural Approach to Chronic Lower Back Pain

Have you tried all the traditional approaches to ease your lower back pain without success? Lower back pain affects up to half of the adult population in the US and is a frequent complaint of senior adults. 

Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Shults, with Coastal Empire Orthopedics, now treats many orthopedic conditions, including chronic low back pain, with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This all-natural approach activates your body’s natural healing mechanisms. 

Common reasons for chronic lower back pain 

You’ve likely been diagnosed with spinal arthritis, a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or other conditions related to wear and tear on your spine. Lower back pain is often caused by degenerating discs, which can compress your vertebrae and cause spinal arthritis as the bones rub together. Spinal arthritis can lead to spinal stenosis and spinal canal narrowing, which places pressure on your spinal cord and nerves radiating from it. You may develop painful sciatica. 

You may experience your first episode of lower back pain in your 50s. Episodes of lower back pain tend to recur as you age, with the greatest impact on mobility and frequency in those over 80 years old.   

Traditional therapies for chronic lower back pain 

If you suffer chronic lower back pain, you’ve likely tried traditional therapies. Pain medication is meant to be short-term for severe pain; medication can result in organ damage over the long term. Minimally invasive intradiscal therapy with steroids can sometimes lead to adverse effects. 

Physical therapy teaches you exercises to help ease nerve compression. Your therapist manipulates the joint to ease stiffness and increase your range of motion. A back brace can help ease pressure on your spinal discs and joints. 

However, while traditional therapies can help ease chronic lower back pain, they don’t always work well enough to restore your quality of life. The option of last resort is surgery. 

Platelet-rich plasma is a new option for chronic lower back pain 

Regenerative medicine, first used to help in wound healing, is now becoming standard practice in orthopedics for some musculoskeletal conditions. Preliminary research proves that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) effectively treats chronic lower back pain caused by degenerative disease. Sometimes, it could provide an alternative to surgery or help postpone surgery. 

Research shows that PRP has many benefits for chronic lower back pain. It’s minimally invasive, all-natural, and uses only your blood for the treatment. It’s a low-risk treatment with little chance of any side effects. PRP helps many, but not all, patients.

How does PRP help chronic lower back pain? 

PRP harnesses your body’s natural healing powers to help relieve your chronic pain. We use only your blood to accomplish regenerative healing with PRP. 

Our staff draws a sample of your blood from your arm. We place the blood in a centrifuge machine that gathers your blood platelets into a large mass. We inject the blood infused with a high concentration of platelets at the site of your pain. 

The mass of platelets contains high quantities of healing growth factors that calm inflammation and trigger collagen production; collagen is a key component of cartilage and spinal discs. PRP also increases cell activity, called proteoglycan production; it supports cell tissue by helping increase cell hydration. Better hydration creates a protective cushion at the site. 

Research shows that PRP helps ease lower back pain and improve mobility. It’s safe and doesn’t have adverse side effects. It provides longer-lasting relief than steroids with none of the downsides. PRP can amplify the positive effects of physical therapy and other traditional therapies. 

If you have chronic lower back pain, call Coastal Empire Orthopedics or book an appointment through our online portal. We offer the most advanced treatments available today.