Laser Treatments versus Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Regenerative Injections
IN BRIEF
INTEGRATIVE CARE
Ryan Novak
DC
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) regenerative injections have gained significant popularity and become somewhat mainstream since Tiger Woods first received the “controversial” treatment in 2010.
In most states, chiropractors are unable to administer PRP or other similar regenerative injection treatments in their offices without employing or partnering with a medical team, such as an MD/DO or nurse practitioner, to administer these procedures.
Even though many of us have experienced or heard of the amazing benefits of regenerative injection therapies, most are not offering these services in our offices because of our philosophical paradigm, scope of practice, or legal complexities.
Could laser therapy treatments provide similar patient outcomes as PRP injections? Actually, yes! In a research study published in 2020 in the Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education and Research titled “905 mn Laser Diode and Platelet-rich Plasma in the Treatment of the Second-Degree Hamstring Tear,” the authors concluded that the 30 participants enrolled in the two study groups, both recovered equally. Participants in the laser group received laser treatments three tunes a week for two weeks with a dosage of only 1 joule/cm2 per treatment point.
I have been certified to administer regenerative injection therapies and licensed by my state to do so as a DC. Since then, I have found that I use laser therapy more often on patients with conditions I previously would have thought were irreparable without more invasive treatment options.
When administered correctly, laser therapy can be just as powerful as PRP in healing injured and damaged tissue without the complexities of injections.
Ryan Novak, DC, is the chief scientific officer (CSO) for a photobiomodulation therapy device manufacturing firm, which has developed FDA-cleared devices such as the PainBuster Super Pulsed Laser. For more information, call 877-799-7477 or visit PainBusterPro.com.
