Your back hurts, and an MRI points to a bulging disc. It seems like an open-and-shut case, right? But what if the real problem is something else entirely? Often, the source of chronic pain isn’t the disc, but the weakened ligaments that are supposed to support your spine. This is a critical distinction. It changes the entire approach to treatment. Instead of focusing on the scan, we focus on you. We’ll show you how a prp injection lower back strengthens these tissues, providing the stability and relief you’ve been looking for.

In 2019 we published our study on the effectiveness of PRP treatments for the patient for chronic low back pain. The study appears in the journal Cogent Medicine.(1)

This research gives an insight into what level of treatment success we can have with certain back pain conditions and how many PRP treatments the patient should expect towards achieving their treatment goals.

At our practice we utilize Platelet-Rich Plasma as one of our injection treatments for the patient with chronic low back pain. We may also utilize stem cell therapy. The decision as to which one of these treatments to use is based on an examination in the office and an assessment of the person’s pain and functional difficulties along with the patient’s goal of treatment. Someone who needs to return to work as a landscaper will have a different treatment priority than a retired individual with lesser physical demands on his/her back.

In this study, we demonstrated PRP outcomes in 67 of our patients.

Let’s get to our study: 

In our research, Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain with Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections, we wrote:

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a non-invasive modality that has been used to treat musculoskeletal conditions for the past two decades. Based on our research, there were no publications that studied the effect of PRP on unresolved lower back pain. The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcomes of patients who received PRP injections to treat unresolved lower back pain.

Methods: 

  • 67 patients underwent a series one, two, or three PRP injections into the ligaments, muscle, and fascia surrounding the lumbar spine.
  • Patients who received two treatments received injections a mean 24 days apart and patients who received three treatments received injections a mean 20.5 days apart.
  • Baseline and post-treatment outcomes of resting pain, active pain, lower functionality scale, and overall improvement percentage were compared to baseline and between groups.

Results: 

  • Patients who received one PRP injection reported 36.33% overall improvement and experienced significant improvements in active pain relief. These same patients experienced improvements in resting pain and functionality score, yet these results were not statistically significant.
  • Patients who received a series of two and three treatments experienced significant decreases in resting pain and active pain and reported 46.17% and 54.91% total overall improvement respectively. In addition, they were able to perform daily activities with less difficulty than prior to treatment.

Understanding PRP Therapy for Lower Back Pain

What is PRP Therapy?

So, what exactly is this treatment we’ve been discussing? Platelet-Rich Plasma, or PRP Therapy, is a form of regenerative medicine that uses your body’s own healing components to repair damaged tissue. Think of it as giving your natural recovery process a supercharged assist. The procedure is straightforward: a small sample of your blood is drawn and placed in a centrifuge, which spins it at high speed to separate and concentrate the platelets. These platelets, rich in growth factors, are then injected directly into the injured area of your lower back. This targeted approach helps reduce pain and inflammation while stimulating the repair of ligaments, tendons, and muscles, offering a minimally invasive alternative to more aggressive procedures.

How Common is Lower Back Pain?

If you’re dealing with lower back pain, you are far from alone. It’s one of the most widespread health issues people face, with research showing that it affects up to 80% of adults at some point during their lives. This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; for many, it becomes a chronic condition that disrupts work, daily activities, and overall quality of life. In fact, lower back pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. The sheer prevalence of this condition highlights the critical need for effective, long-term solutions that go beyond simply masking the symptoms. Finding a treatment that addresses the root cause of the pain is key to regaining function and getting back to the life you want to live.

What Results Can You Expect from PRP for Lower Back Pain?

Our results demonstrated that PRP injections may be a viable conservative approach to treat lower back pain in regards to getting patients back to their everyday activities and improving pain and function.

  • Patients quickly returning to everyday activities:
    • Our study demonstrated that one, two or three PRP treatments were effective in significantly reducing active pain in the lower back. Additionally, functionality scores were significantly increased showing that patients were able to quickly return to everyday activities.
  • An immediate clinical benefit:
    • Patients experienced an improvement in resting pain and functionality score after the one treatment, however, statistical significance was demonstrated only after the second and third treatments. Yet, self-reported mean total improvement was 36.33%, 46.17%, and 54.91% at the first, second and third treatments, respectively, suggesting an immediate clinical benefit.

Our explanation of how PRP works

  • PRP is fast, non-invasive procedure that has been studied as an alternative treatment for low back pain and musculoskeletal injuries in the recent decade.
  • The treatment invokes immunomodulatory effects (it activates the immune and repair response  and as well as angiogenic (formation of new blood vessels) properties that facilitate healing.
  • The exact mechanism of PRP is not known, but current research points to cytokines (small cells that set up communications between cells to coordinate the healing response), growth factors and other proteins as the main medium through which PRP works.

To learn more about PRP visit our page PLATELET RICH PLASMA PRP 

Potential for Pain Relief and Improved Mobility

The results from our clinic’s study are encouraging, and they align with broader scientific research. A comprehensive review from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) found that PRP injections can be a powerful tool for managing lower back pain. The research suggests that PRP may offer more significant and lasting relief than other common treatments, like steroid shots, with pain reduction lasting for up to a full year. This is a key consideration for anyone looking for a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix. The goal of PRP therapy is to work with your body’s natural healing mechanisms to not just mask the pain, but to address the underlying issues causing it, leading to sustained improvement in mobility and quality of life.

Success Rates for Conditions Like Herniated Discs

When you’re dealing with a specific and often debilitating issue like a herniated disc, you want to know about success rates. The same NCBI review highlighted a study where PRP injections proved more effective than control injections. In that research, a significant portion of patients receiving PRP achieved at least 50% pain relief after just three months. This kind of data is promising because it shows a measurable, positive impact in a relatively short timeframe. It suggests that even for stubborn, structural back problems, PRP can offer a viable path toward significant pain reduction and a return to normal activities.

Higher Patient Satisfaction Compared to Placebo

Beyond just numbers on a pain scale, what truly matters is how you feel and function in your daily life. This is where PRP treatments really shine. Research has shown that patients receiving PRP injections reported less disability for up to six months following the procedure. This means they could do more, move more freely, and engage more fully in their lives compared to how they felt before treatment. This focus on functional improvement is central to our approach. We want to help you get back to gardening, playing with your grandkids, or simply moving through your day without that constant, nagging pain. If you’re ready to discuss your personal goals, our team is here to create a plan with you.

What PRP Doesn’t Do: MRI Findings

It’s also important to have a clear and honest conversation about what PRP does and doesn’t do. Interestingly, the research shows that while patients feel significantly better, PRP injections don’t seem to change the way a disc looks on an MRI scan. Things like disc height or hydration levels remained the same. This might sound confusing, but it highlights a critical point: you are treating the patient, not the picture. Pain is complex, and an MRI doesn’t always tell the whole story. The success of PRP lies in its ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing in the surrounding tissues, which leads to pain relief and improved function, even if the scan looks unchanged. This is where the expertise of a physician like Dr. Marc Darrow becomes invaluable in interpreting results and focusing on your actual well-being.

What to Expect During Your PRP Treatment

There is no sound on this video. The video demonstrates PRP injection into the lower back. The procedure is well tolerated, simple and in the hands of an experienced physician is a multiple injection treatment given in rapid succession. In our many years of experience, this type of PRP treatment offers the patient reliable and effective results such as those demonstrated in our study above.

 

There is no sound on this video. The simplicity of the injection treatment is demonstrated. By injecting PRP into the muscles, ligaments, and fascia surrounding the lumbar spine, we can improve the stability of your spine. This has been shown not only in the research discussed in this article, but in additional published studies. PRP injections can relieve lower back pain and may prevent future spinal disc problems.

 

 

The Simple 3-Step PRP Procedure

If you’re considering PRP, you might be picturing a complex, drawn-out medical procedure. The reality is much simpler. The entire process is straightforward and uses your body’s own healing components to target pain. It’s a method that relies on concentrating the natural growth factors already present in your blood to encourage tissue repair right where you need it most. The treatment is performed in-office and typically involves three basic steps, from the initial blood draw to the final injection, all handled with precision and care by an experienced physician.

Step 1: The Blood Draw

The process begins with a simple blood draw, much like one you’d have during a routine physical. A small amount of blood is taken from your arm. This sample contains all the components needed for the treatment, including the platelets that are essential for healing. It’s a quick and minimally invasive first step on the path toward creating your personalized PRP treatment.

Step 2: Concentrating the Platelets

Next, your blood is placed into a centrifuge. This machine spins at a high speed, a process which separates the blood into its different parts. The spinning isolates and concentrates the platelets and growth factors, creating the platelet-rich plasma, or PRP. This golden-hued liquid is essentially a supercharged healing serum, custom-made from your own blood and ready to be delivered to the injured area.

Step 3: Injecting the PRP

In the final step, the concentrated PRP is carefully injected into the specific ligaments, muscles, or fascia in your lower back that are causing pain. Using precise guidance, the physician ensures the PRP is delivered exactly where it can be most effective. This targeted approach helps initiate a healing response to repair damaged tissues and reduce your discomfort. The entire PRP therapy process is designed to be efficient, allowing you to get back to your day with minimal interruption.

Recovery Timeline and Duration of Relief

After your PRP treatment, your body begins its natural repair process, which takes a little time. Unlike quick fixes that just mask symptoms, PRP works to heal the underlying issue, so you’ll notice gradual improvement over several weeks. Many people start to feel a significant reduction in pain and an increase in mobility within the first month or two. The goal of this therapy is to provide lasting comfort. Research and clinical experience show that the benefits of PRP for back pain can last anywhere from six months to a year, with some individuals experiencing relief for even longer. The longevity of the results often depends on the specific condition being treated and your body’s unique healing capabilities.

Potential Risks and Who Should Avoid PRP

One of the biggest advantages of PRP therapy is its safety profile. Because the injections use your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection is virtually eliminated. However, like any procedure that involves an injection, there are some minimal risks, such as infection, temporary pain at the injection site, or, in very rare cases, nerve damage. These complications are uncommon, especially when the treatment is performed by a skilled practitioner. PRP isn’t suitable for everyone, including individuals with certain blood disorders or active infections. The best way to know if you’re a good candidate is to have a thorough evaluation with a specialist who can review your medical history and help you make an informed decision.

Cost of PRP Injections and Insurance Coverage

When considering any medical treatment, it’s important to understand the financial aspect. Currently, most insurance companies classify PRP therapy for back pain as an experimental or investigational treatment. Because of this, it is typically not covered by insurance plans, and you should expect to pay for the procedure out-of-pocket. The cost can vary depending on the specifics of your treatment plan. We believe in full transparency, so we discuss all costs with you upfront. During your initial consultation, our team will provide a clear breakdown of the expenses involved, ensuring you have all the information you need to plan accordingly and decide if this innovative treatment is the right choice for you.

Does Research Support PRP Therapy for Back Pain?

Despite our own findings and that of other researchers, many patients who visit us say that their doctors told them PRP would not help their back back. A study from May 2020 addressed this issue in the Journal of neurological surgery.(2)

“Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be beneficial for patients with low back pain. However, the results remain controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of PRP for low back pain.”

The research team examined three randomized clinical trials involving 131 patients. Overall, compared with control intervention for low back pain, PRP injection was found to reduce pain scores significantly, improve the number of patients with more than 50% pain relief at 3 months, and offer relatively good patient satisfaction.

Research in the Journal of spine surgery (3) featured these findings which may help confirm that PRP injections are a viable option to low back pain.

  • Clinical studies presented in this research clearly demonstrate the growing interest in offering PRP injections for treating back pain
  • These same clinical studies examined PRP injections as a therapy for discogenic low back pain and reported good results overall.
  • A major and notable advantage of the therapy is the safety of the autologous PRP itself, which does not cause any major complications.
  • Because autologous PRP is obtained from the patient’s own blood, PRP therapy carries low risks of disease infection and allergic reaction.

Clinical benefits reported:

  • Research on PRP therapy has demonstrated remarkable improvements in pain intensity according to a variety of pain scores.
  • The clinically-beneficial effects have enabled patients to return to normal physical activity.

Clinical concerns reported:

  • PRP therapy will be more efficient if applied before disc degeneration reaches an advanced stage.

Conclusion of this research:

“(the authors of this study) described clinical evidence from the literature and presented an update on the use of PRP therapy for the treatment of discogenic low back pain. It is evident from our review that PRP is a safe, effective and feasible treatment modality and is evolving as a powerful therapy for the treatment of discogenic back pain. Considering the remarkable progress made already, and the other potential aspects which remain for further investigation, PRP therapy undoubtedly offers new and exciting prospects for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and other musculoskeletal disorders.”

The Current State of PRP Research

While the clinical results and patient stories are compelling, it’s also important to look at the broader scientific landscape. The world of medical research is always evolving, and understanding where PRP therapy stands right now can help you make an informed decision. Researchers are actively exploring how and why PRP works for low back pain, but like any cutting-edge treatment, there are areas where more data is needed. This doesn’t take away from the positive outcomes many people experience; it just means the scientific community is still working to build a complete picture, which involves addressing the quality of studies and making direct comparisons to other common treatments.

Quality of Evidence and Study Limitations

When scientists evaluate a treatment, they look for high-quality studies, specifically randomized controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard. While many studies show promising results for PRP, a lot of the current evidence comes from observational studies or trials without a control group for comparison. According to a review from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the number of top-tier studies is still growing. This is common for newer therapies. It takes time to build a large body of high-level evidence, but the existing research provides a strong foundation and points toward the potential benefits for patients with chronic low back pain.

The Need for More Comparison Studies

One of the biggest gaps in the current research is the lack of head-to-head comparisons between PRP and other standard treatments for low back pain. We have a lot of data showing that PRP can reduce pain and improve function, but very few studies have directly compared it to options like physical therapy, exercise programs, or anti-inflammatory medications. These kinds of comparative studies are essential for understanding exactly where PRP therapy fits into the overall treatment puzzle. As researchers continue their work, these comparisons will give both doctors and patients a clearer idea of how PRP stacks up against more traditional approaches.

Challenges in Comparing PRP Studies

Even with the growing number of studies, comparing their results can sometimes feel like comparing apples and oranges. This is because “PRP” isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula. The way the treatment is prepared and administered can vary, which creates challenges when trying to draw broad conclusions from different research papers. Two key factors contribute to this: the lack of a universal standard for preparing PRP and the natural behavior of growth factors once they are injected. Understanding these variables is key to appreciating the nuances of the therapy and the importance of a provider’s specific technique.

Lack of Standardization in PRP Preparation

The effectiveness of PRP hinges on the concentration of platelets and growth factors in the final injection, but there is no single, universally adopted method for preparing it. The specific equipment used, the centrifugation process, and the final volume can all differ from one clinic to another. As one review on the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma in Treating Low Back Pain notes, the quality of PRP can even vary based on a person’s own blood at the time of the draw. This is why the experience of your medical team is so important. A clinic with established protocols, like the Stem Cell Institute, can ensure a consistent and high-quality preparation for every patient.

A Potential Weakness of the Therapy

Another challenge researchers are working to solve is the delivery and lifespan of the growth factors at the injury site. The healing cascade initiated by PRP is powerful, but some studies suggest that the growth factors might be released or break down too quickly to have a sustained impact. Think of it like watering a plant—you need to give it the right amount of water over the right amount of time. Scientists are exploring ways to optimize the release of these healing proteins to ensure they stick around and work their magic for longer. This is an active area of innovation aimed at making an already effective therapy even more reliable.

How PRP Compares to Other Back Pain Treatments

When you’re dealing with persistent back pain, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the different treatment options. Two of the most common alternatives you might hear about are corticosteroid injections and other regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy. Understanding how Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) stacks up against these can help you make a more informed decision about your care. The goal is to find a solution that doesn’t just mask the pain but addresses the underlying cause of your discomfort, helping you get back to the activities you love without limitations. Let’s look at how these treatments differ so you can better understand the landscape of back pain management.

PRP vs. Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections, or steroid shots, are a very common treatment for back pain. They work by delivering a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly to the painful area, which can provide rapid, short-term relief. While this can be effective for calming a flare-up, the effects are often temporary, and the relief can wear off after a few weeks or months. More importantly, repeated steroid injections can have drawbacks, including the potential to weaken surrounding tissues over time. In contrast, PRP therapy works on a completely different principle. Instead of just suppressing inflammation, it uses growth factors from your own blood to stimulate your body’s natural healing and repair processes. This approach aims to repair the injured ligaments, tendons, or muscles that are causing the pain, offering the potential for more durable, long-lasting results.

PRP vs. Stem Cell Therapy for Back Pain

Both PRP and stem cell therapy fall under the umbrella of regenerative medicine, as they both harness the body’s ability to heal itself. The primary difference lies in the tools they use. PRP uses a concentration of your blood platelets to release growth factors that act as signals, calling your body’s repair cells to the site of injury. Think of it as sending a construction manager to the site to organize the repair crew. Stem cell therapy, on the other hand, involves injecting stem cells—often from your own bone marrow or fat tissue—which are like the specialized workers who can actually become new tissue. The choice between PRP and stem cell therapy often depends on the severity of your condition. PRP is frequently effective for mild to moderate issues, while stem cell therapy may be considered for more advanced degenerative conditions. A thorough evaluation with a specialist is the best way to determine which approach is right for your specific diagnosis and treatment goals.

Why We Target Spinal Ligaments, Not Discs

In my article, When is back pain a disc problem? When is back pain a spinal ligament problem? I discuss the challenges patients may find themselves facing when it comes to understanding if their back pain is coming from the dics, or, is actually coming from spinal instability caused by the degenerative condition of the many spinal ligaments that are no longer holding the vertebrae in the proper alignment. In this article I discuss a paper from doctors at the Mayo Clinic where the researchers suggest a clear distinction between two problems affecting low back pain patients.

  • First, that pain could be coming from the discs.
  • Second that pain could be coming from the spinal ligaments.

The Mayo researchers suggest that recognizing how the spine moves is essential for distinguishing between the many different types of spinal disorders, and a diagnosis which may ultimately, and erroneously lead to back surgery.

  • If a patient has instability, excessive movement, and decreased stiffness, doctors should examine for ligament damage.
  • If the opposite, less movement, more stiffness, the doctor should look for disc disease.(4)

In our own recently published and companion research: Treatment of Lower Back Pain with Bone Marrow Concentrate (5) we discuss the injections of bone marrow cells not directly into the discs, but into the supportive spinal ligaments. This is what we documented:

  • The patients in the present study were injected with Bone Marrow Concentrate into the muscles, fascia, and ligaments surrounding the lumbar spine.
  • It has been well documented in literature that stem cells and platelets in the concentrate enhance tendon and ligament healing.
  • In patients who were diagnosed with ligament and fascial (connective tissue) sprains, we hypothesize that we can reduce patients’ low back pain by strengthening these anatomical areas.

In that same study we referenced the research that suggest that the spinal ligaments should be a main focus of treatment for back pain.

In a November 2018 study (6) titled: Do Regenerative Medicine Therapies Provide Long-Term Relief in Chronic Low Back Pain? Offered this assessment:

“The findings of this systematic review and single-arm metaanalysis shows that MSCs (stem cells) and PRP may be effective in managing discogenic low back pain, radicular pain, facet joint pain, and sacroiliac joint pain, with variable levels of evidence in favor of these techniques.”

  • In Orthopaedic Knowledge Update from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons tells its surgeon members that muscle strains, ligament sprains, and muscle contusions account for up to 97% of low back pain  in the adult population (7)
  • Additionally, researchers wrote in the Spine Journal that spinal ligaments are often neglected compared to other pathology that account for low back pain (8). This could be due to the over reliance of MRIs to guide physicians to correct diagnoses. They write: The influence of the posterior pelvic ring ligaments on pelvic stability is poorly understood. Low back pain and sacroiliac joint pain are described being related to these ligaments.When these ligaments are damaged or weakened, they serve as generators of low back pain.
  • Two studies illustrate that patients without symptomatic back pain displayed MRI abnormalities including degenerative disc changes [9,10].
    • In the first study researchers wrote that “imaging findings, including degenerative changes, reflect anatomic peculiarities or the normal aging process and turn out to be clinically irrelevant. . . Many treatments (therefore) have proven inefficacious, and some have proven counterproductive, (because of erroneous interpretation)
    • In the second study, researchers wrote that in making treatment decisions, “patients overemphasize the value of radiological studies and have mixed perceptions of the relative risk and effectiveness of surgical intervention compared with more conservative management. These misconceptions have the potential to alter patient expectations and decrease satisfaction, which could negatively impact patient outcomes and subjective valuations of physician performance.”
  • Yet patients with these same diagnoses are recommended for surgery without a thorough understanding of their pain generator.
  • Canadian researchers found that 55.7% of lumbar spine MRIs were considered inappropriate or of uncertain value to diagnosis [11).

What the research shows us is that surgeons to be on the lookout, the MRI can be misleading and send a patient to surgeon with a “disc problem.”

 

 

References:

1 Marc Darrow, Brent Shaw, Schmidt Nicholas, Xian Li & Gabby Boeger | Tsai-Ching Hsu (Reviewing editor:) (2019) Treatment of unresolved lower back pain with platelet-rich plasma injections, Cogent Medicine, DOI: 10.1080/2331205X.2019.1581449
2 Xuan Z, Yu W, Dou Y, Wang T. Efficacy of Platelet-rich Plasma for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 21]. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2020;10.1055/s-0040-1709170. doi:10.1055/s-0040-1709170
3 Mohammed S, Yu J. Platelet-rich plasma injections: an emerging therapy for chronic discogenic low back pain. J Spine Surg. 2018;4(1):115-122.
4 Ellingson AM, Shaw MN, Giambini H, An KN. Comparative role of disc degeneration and ligament failure on functional mechanics of the lumbar spine. Comput Methods Biomech Biomed Engin. 2015 Sep 24:1-10.
5 Marc Darrow, Brent Shaw BS. Treatment of Lower Back Pain with Bone Marrow Concentrate. Biomed J Sci&Tech Res 7(2)-018. BJSTR. MS.ID.001461. DOI: 10.26717/ BJSTR.2018.07.001461.
6 Sanapati J, Manchikanti L, Atluri S, et al. Do Regenerative Medicine Therapies Provide Long-Term Relief in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis. Pain Physician. 2018;21(6):515‐540.
7 An HS, Jenis LG, Vaccaro AR (1999) Adult spine trauma. In Beaty JH (Eds.). Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 6. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons pp. 653-671
8 Hammer N, Steinke H, Lingslebe U, Bechmann I, Josten C, Slowik V, Böhme J. Ligamentous influence in pelvic load distribution. Spine J. 2013 Jun 5. pii: S1529-9430(13)00402-6. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2013.03.050.
9. Kovacs FM, Arana E (2016) Degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Radiologia 58(1): 26-34.
10 Franz EW, Bentley JN, Yee PPS, et al. (2015) Patient misconceptions concerning lumbar spondylosis diagnosis and treatment. J Neurosurg Spine 22(5): 496-502.
11 Emery DJ, Shojania KG, Forster AJ, Mojaverian N, Feasby TE (2013) Overuse of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. JAMA Intern Med 173(9): 823-825.

 

Common Injection Sites for Lower Back Pain

When it comes to treating lower back pain with injections, precision is everything. The source of your pain dictates the best location for treatment. Simply injecting into a general area of discomfort isn’t enough; a successful outcome depends on accurately identifying and targeting the specific anatomical structures—be they joints, nerves, or ligaments—that are generating the pain signals. Understanding these common injection sites can help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor about the right approach for your unique condition.

Injections for Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Pain

One of the most frequent, yet often overlooked, causes of lower back pain is the sacroiliac (SI) joint. This joint connects your spine to your pelvis, and when its supporting ligaments become loose or the joint gets inflamed, it can generate pain that mimics other conditions like sciatica or a herniated disc. According to the Ohio State Medical Center, PRP therapy can work for patients of all ages dealing with SI joint pain. By targeting this specific joint, the treatment aims to address the instability and inflammation directly at the source, offering a path to relief where other approaches may have failed.

Epidural Injections for Nerve Pain

If your back pain includes sharp, radiating pain that travels down your leg (often called radiculopathy), the issue may stem from an irritated or compressed nerve root. Epidural injections, which deliver medication into the space around the spinal nerves, are a common treatment for this. While steroids are traditionally used, research published by the National Institutes of Health suggests that PRP may be an effective alternative, especially for those who cannot use or wish to avoid corticosteroids. Instead of only suppressing inflammation, PRP is intended to support the body’s natural healing processes around the affected nerve.

Our Approach at the Stem Cell Institute

At the Stem Cell Institute, we focus on regenerative solutions that address the root cause of pain. We have utilized non-invasive treatments like PRP therapy for musculoskeletal conditions for over two decades, and our clinical experience is supported by our own published research. In a study published in Cogent Medicine, we reported the clinical outcomes for our patients who received PRP injections for unresolved lower back pain. We wanted to provide clear data on how this treatment helps people who have been struggling with chronic pain without finding a lasting solution.

Our research demonstrated that a series of PRP treatments was effective in significantly reducing active pain in the lower back. More importantly, we saw that patients’ functionality scores improved significantly, showing they were able to return to their everyday activities with less difficulty. This is what we strive for: not just a reduction in pain, but a true restoration of function and quality of life. By focusing on strengthening the underlying structures, we aim to provide lasting relief. If you’re curious about whether this approach is right for you, we invite you to contact our office for a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

My MRI clearly shows a herniated disc. Why would you treat my ligaments instead? This is a fantastic question because it gets to the heart of our entire approach. Think of your spinal ligaments as the support cables for a bridge. If those cables weaken, the bridge (your spine) becomes unstable, and the road surface (your disc) can start to buckle or bulge. An MRI shows the bulge, but it doesn’t show the weakness in the support system that caused it. We focus on strengthening those ligaments with PRP to restore stability to the whole structure. By addressing the root cause of the instability, we can often relieve the pressure and pain that the disc issue is causing.

How many PRP treatments will I actually need to feel better? The number of treatments is tailored to you, but our clinical research gives us a very good roadmap. While some patients report improvement after just one session, we found that a series of two or three treatments delivered the most significant and lasting results. This approach allows us to build on the progress of the previous session, giving your body the sustained support it needs to fully repair the damaged tissue and achieve a more complete reduction in pain and improvement in function.

How is PRP different from the steroid injections I’ve already tried? This is a crucial distinction. Corticosteroid shots are designed to powerfully reduce inflammation, which can provide fast, but often temporary, pain relief. They act like a mute button for your pain signals. PRP works on a completely different principle. It’s not about masking the problem; it’s about helping to fix it. We use the concentrated growth factors from your own blood to initiate a natural healing response in the damaged tissues. The goal is to repair the underlying injury for more durable, long-term results, rather than just providing a short-term fix.

What is the recovery like after a PRP injection in the lower back? The procedure itself is done in the office and is typically very well-tolerated. Afterward, you can expect to return to your normal daily activities. You might feel some initial soreness at the injection sites, which is a positive sign that the healing process has begun. Unlike a surgical procedure, there isn’t a long, restrictive recovery period. Instead, you’ll notice a gradual improvement over several weeks as your tissues repair and strengthen, leading to less pain and better mobility.

How long can I expect the results of PRP therapy to last? Because PRP therapy works to heal the source of the pain, the goal is to provide lasting relief. While every person’s body responds differently, many of our patients experience significant pain reduction and improved function for six months to a year, and sometimes even longer. The longevity of the results comes from the fact that we are helping your body to rebuild and strengthen damaged tissue, which provides a more stable and enduring solution than treatments that only address symptoms.

Key Takeaways

  • Look beyond the MRI: An image of a bulging disc doesn’t always tell the whole story. Chronic back pain often stems from weak spinal ligaments, and strengthening these supportive tissues is key to finding lasting stability and relief.
  • Healing happens in stages: Research shows that PRP injections effectively reduce pain and restore function, with improvement often building over a series of treatments. The process works with your body’s natural repair cycle to create cumulative, long-term results.
  • Opt for repair, not a temporary patch: While steroid shots can mask pain, they don’t fix the underlying problem. PRP therapy is different—it uses your body’s own growth factors to help repair the injured area, aiming for genuine healing and a return to the activities you love.

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