If you suffer from a condition that causes pain or alters your daily life, you are looking for a treatment that works. While many treatments temporarily relieve symptoms, they do not resolve the underlying problem. PRP Therapy vs. Stem Cell Therapy is the battle of the top treatment procedure that eases pain and addresses the underlying problem.
Stem cells and platelet-rich plasma are considered forms of regenerative medicine. Each treatment is designed to assist the body in accelerating its own healing processes to resolve the underlying cause of pain.
Although both of these treatments aim to achieve the same goal, they also work in very different ways to achieve that goal. If you are ready to witness the battle of PRP Therapy vs. Stem Cell Therapy, keep reading. Here, we have put together the differences between the two to help you make an ideal choice.
About PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), also known as platelet-rich serum, is a treatment performed by removing platelets from your blood. This concentrated platelet suspension is then injected back into your body, specifically where you have sustained damage.
Platelets contain a high level of growth factors, which promote your body’s natural healing abilities. Blood clots and growth factors are also released during an injury, helping kick-start the healing process. PRP enhances this process and may contribute to the speedy recovery from injury and joint disease.
Uses of PRP Therapy
- Injuries to joints and tendons: The injection of PRP may speed up the healing process in cases such as tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, and osteoarthritis of the knee.
- Sports medicine: PRP therapy enables athletes to recover from sports-related injuries faster and return to peak performance.
- Aesthetic treatments: PRP therapy is used to rejuvenate the skin, reduce wrinkles, and improve the texture of the skin in various aesthetic procedures, including the “facelift.”
About Stem Cell Therapy
Stem cells are unique cells that are capable of developing into many different types of cells within the body. Tissues and organs undergo normal turnover and replenish specialized cells through these cells.
There are two main categories of adult and embryonic stem cells. Due to their regenerative ability, stem cells are used in stem cell therapy to treat various medical conditions.
Uses of Stem Cell Therapy
- Orthopedics: Using stem cells to treat osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, and bone fractures shows promise for healing damaged tissue and regenerating damaged tissue.
- Neurological disorders: Researchers are exploring stem cells’ potential to replace damaged nerve cells and restore lost function in spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
- Cardiovascular diseases: Stem cells may help patients with heart disease or heart attacks regenerate damaged heart tissue, increase blood flow, and reduce scar tissue.
Key differences between PRP therapy and stem cell therapy
A leading treatment option is PRP and stem cell therapy, which harness the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. Here are the key differences we have put together to help you make the right decision:
Types of treatments
PRP is commonly used to treat soft tissue injuries, joint pain, and osteoarthritis and to rejuvenate the skin. It is also effective for treating musculoskeletal injuries and tendonitis and facilitating the healing process post-surgery. The procedure is widely used in dermatology for aging prevention and cosmetic enhancement.
Stem cell therapies are being used to treat an increasing number of medical conditions. These include spinal cord injuries, arthritis, chronic joint pain, and certain neurological conditions where cells or structures have been damaged. Furthermore, stem cell therapy is being investigated in the areas of cardiac repair, wound healing, and organ regeneration.
Duration of treatment and recovery
A typical PRP treatment involves a single injection, which takes around an hour to prepare and inject. Most patients recover quickly and resume their normal activities within a few days of the procedure.
The duration of stem cell therapy procedures can vary from treatment to treatment based on the source of the stem cells. Also, recovery times may differ, with some patients recovering more quickly and feeling better, while others may take longer.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
PRP therapy is generally considered safe because it utilizes a patient’s own blood, which reduces the risk of infection. Injections usually have mild side effects, including pain, swelling, and bruising.
When stem cells are used for stem cell therapy, the risk of side effects is relatively low, especially when adult stem cells are used. It may, however, be associated with complications such as infection, immune reaction, or, in rare instances, tumor formation.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
A PRP injection can cost anywhere from $500 to $2000, depending on the treatment area and provider. Many insurance companies do not cover the cost of PRP therapy since it is considered experimental or investigational.
Depending on the clinic and treatment, various treatments and clinics offer stem cell therapy, which can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. Many patients cannot afford stem cell therapy because it is not covered by their insurance, making it one of the least accessible treatments.
How Much Does PRP Therapy Cost?
PRP therapy has a wide range of costs, depending on the condition being treated, the number of sessions needed, and the clinic’s geographic location.
There is typically a price range of $500 to $2,000 for a single session of PRP therapy. There is usually a need for multiple sessions of PRP therapy, which can significantly increase the cost of the treatment. The following factors influence costs:
- Platelet concentration
- Treatment area
- Equipment used
- Experience of the provider
Stem Cell Therapy: How Much Does It Cost?
Stem cell therapy is more costly than PRP therapy because stem cells must be harvested and prepared for use.
Depending on the type of stem cell used, the condition being treated, and the country in which the treatment is administered, treatment sessions can cost between $5,000 and $50,000. Several factors contribute to the cost of the project, including:
- Sources of stem cells
- Lab manipulation is necessary.
- Regulations
Enjoy quicker healing with our PRP therapy expert.
PRP therapy is the best way to heal from pain and eliminate the problems that lead to pain. At South County Med Spa & Wellness Center, we have qualified doctors like Jumnah Thanapathy Arasu who excel at offering PRP therapy to help you quickly from the pain.
She utilizes the advanced technology and her PRP expertise to quickly recover the pain and lead a pain-free life. No more living with the pain; reach out to us today.