Frequently Asked Questions

PRP for Spine & Musculoskeletal Pain

What is PRP therapy?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated sample of your own blood—rich in platelets, growth factors, and cytokines—to support natural healing of injured or degenerated tissues. It’s commonly used for spine conditions, tendon/ligament injuries, and joint pain.

How does PRP work?

Your blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to isolate platelets. When injected into an injured area, these platelets release growth factors that can:

  • Reduce inflammation

  • Stimulate tissue repair

  • Improve blood flow

  • Support collagen regeneration
    This can lead to decreased pain and improved function over time.

What conditions can PRP help treat?

PRP may be beneficial for:

  • Lumbar or cervical disc pain

  • Facet joint pain

  • Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Tendinopathy (Achilles, patellar, hamstring, etc.)

  • Rotator cuff injuries

  • Knee osteoarthritis

  • Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow

  • Muscle tears and ligament sprains

Is PRP effective for spine pain?

PRP has shown promise for discogenic pain, facetogenic pain, SI joint pain, and chronic soft-tissue injuries contributing to back pain. Many patients report reduced pain and improved mobility over weeks to months. Outcomes depend on the specific diagnosis, severity, and the quality of the PRP preparation.

Is PRP safe?

Yes. Because it’s made from your own blood, PRP avoids risks associated with synthetic injectables or steroids. Most patients experience only mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two.

How long does a PRP injection take?

The entire visit typically lasts 45–60 minutes. The actual injection is quick—usually under 10 minutes. Most of the time is spent preparing the PRP sample.

When will I feel better?

Some people notice improvement within 2–4 weeks, but the full regenerative effect takes 6–12 weeks. Healing continues for several months as tissue remodeling occurs.

How many PRP treatments will I need?

Most patients need one to three treatments, spaced 4–6 weeks apart. Your provider will recommend a plan based on your condition and goals.

Is ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance used?

Yes—image guidance is used for accuracy, safety, and optimal placement of PRP where it’s most needed.

  • Ultrasound is commonly used for tendons, ligaments, joints, and peripheral nerves, but can also be used for Facet, SI joint, Caudal, S1 foramen, and Cervical nerve root injections

  • Fluoroscopy may be used for spine-related procedures such as intradiscal, facet, or SI joint injections.

What should I do before the procedure?

  • Avoid NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) for 5–7 days before treatment.

  • Stay hydrated.

  • Eat a light meal prior to coming.

  • Your doctor may adjust certain medications beforehand.

What should I expect after the procedure?

  • Mild soreness for 24–48 hours

  • Gradual improvement over weeks

  • Avoid NSAIDs for two weeks after treatment

  • Light activity is okay; avoid strenuous exercise for several days

  • Follow your prescribed rehab plan to maximize results

Can PRP be used if I’ve already tried physical therapy or steroid injections?

Yes. PRP is often used when steroids fail to provide lasting relief or when patients prefer a biologic alternative to medications or surgery.

Is PRP covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans currently consider PRP investigational and do not cover it. Our clinic offers transparent pricing and package options, and payment plans may be available.

How much does PRP cost?

Pricing varies depending on the area treated (spine vs. joint), the number of injections, and the preparation technique. Typical ranges are $1800–$2,800 per treatment. Your physician will provide a personalized quote.

Can PRP help me avoid surgery?

In many cases, yes. Patients with discogenic back pain, tendon injuries, or arthritis sometimes avoid surgery after successful PRP treatment. However, not every condition responds equally—your consultation will clarify your options.

Who is a good candidate for PRP?

Ideal candidates include people with:

  • Chronic tendon or ligament injuries

  • Mild-to-moderate arthritis

  • Disc or facet pain

  • Sports injuries

  • Pain that persists despite therapy, injections, or medications
    You should also not be severely anemic, immunosuppressed, or on certain blood thinners.

What is the difference between PRP and stem cells?

PRP is derived from your blood and contains growth factors.
Stem-cell based treatments come from bone marrow or fat and contain progenitor cells that may aid in tissue repair. PRP is often the first-line regenerative option due to excellent safety, lower cost, and fast preparation.

Do you offer combined treatments (PRP + physical therapy, PRP + nerve blocks, etc.)?

Yes. Combination therapies can improve outcomes, especially for spine-related pain. Your physician will tailor a plan that may include:

  • PRP + PT

  • PRP + ultrasound-guided nerve blocks

  • Intradiscal PRP + facet PRP

  • PRP + PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)

How do I schedule a consultation?

You can schedule online or call 1-844-622-7246. We offer both in-person and telemedicine evaluations. During your consultation, we’ll review your imaging, history, and goals to see if PRP is the right fit.

If you are abroad, only want an opinion, and do not plan on becoming our patient you can schedule an online evaluation. For this expert opinion, the patient physician relationship will not be established and a simple chart review and opinion only will be rendered. Click here for our Calendar

Shadowing Experience FAQ:

Interventional Pain Management & Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

Clinicians are invited to spend a full immersive day shadowing our Interventional Pain Management expert, learning real-world applications of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, interventional pain techniques, and regenerative medicine procedures—including PRP for spine and joint pathology. Attendees also gain access to our Virtual Pain Fellowship resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible to participate in the shadowing day?

This program is open to:
• Physicians (Pain, PM&R, Anesthesia, Primary Care, Sports Medicine)
• Fellows and residents
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants
• Nurses seeking exposure to ultrasound-guided procedures
• Any clinician looking to develop or advance procedural pain skills

No prior ultrasound experience is required.

2. What procedures might I observe during the shadowing day?

While the exact schedule depends on the clinic day, attendees commonly observe:

Ultrasound-Guided Procedures

  • Peripheral nerve blocks (Suprascapular, occipital, sciatic, femoral, PENG, ESP, auriculotemporal, V2, V3 and more!)

  • Cervical, thoracic, lumbar medial branch blocks

  • Genicular and peripheral joint injections

  • Ultrasound-guided IV access (depending on case availability)

Ultrasound Interventions (if scheduled that day)

  • Caudal Epidural injections, S1 Foramen Injections

  • Facet joint injections

  • Medial branch radiofrequency ablation

  • Sacroiliac joint interventions

Regenerative Medicine

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) spine injections

  • PRP for joints, tendons, ligaments

  • Perineural/nerve hydrodissection

  • Biologic augmentations when applicable

Attendees may observe hands-on preparation of PRP and learn clinical decision-making around biologic therapy.

3. What is the format of the shadowing day?

The experience is typically a full clinical day, including:

  • Morning briefing and ultrasound review

  • Step-by-step walkthroughs of procedures

  • Real-time Q&A and discussion of technique, anatomy, indications, and billing

  • Access to post-day educational resources

  • Optional review of regenerative medicine protocols and practice integration strategies

4. Will I be performing procedures?

For liability reasons, this is an observational learning experience only.
However, you will be able to:

  • Handle ultrasound probes (non-patient contact)

  • Review imaging and anatomical landmarks

  • Discuss needle trajectories, dosing, biologic preparation, and safety considerations

  • Receive pearls and guidance applicable to your own practice

Hands-on opportunities may be available through our accredited workshops (ask for upgrade options).

5. Do attendees receive access to the Virtual Pain Fellowship?

Yes. Shadowing participants receive complimentary access to select Virtual Pain Fellowship content, including:

  • Anatomy and ultrasound modules

  • Interventional pain lectures

  • Case discussions and selected practice-building topics

  • Discounted full-access options for those who want deeper training

6. Where does the shadowing take place?

Shadowing is hosted at our Interventional Pain & Regenerative Medicine facility:
AABP Integrative Pain Care — New York, NY
Additional locations may be available depending on schedule and pre-arrangement.

7. What will I learn about PRP and regenerative medicine?

Attendees gain exposure to:

  • PRP preparation protocols (single/double spin, platelet concentration targets)- schedule permitting

  • Spine and joint PRP indications

  • Patient selection

  • Post-procedure care

  • Integrating regenerative medicine into a pain practice

  • Real-world workflow and consent processes

8. Do I receive a certificate or CME?

This shadowing experience does not provide CME credit directly, up to 48 CME is obtained upon completing the included Virtual Pain Fellowship.
CME is also available separately through our other hands-on workshops and online modules.

9. How much does the shadowing day cost?

Pricing varies depending on clinician type and access level (1 day package vs. 2 day training packages).

10. How do I schedule a shadowing day?

To request available dates, please contact:
📧 info@NRAPpain.org
🌐 PainExam.com / NRAPpain.org
Availability is limited—early scheduling is recommended.

11. Can institutions schedule group shadowing days?

Yes. Hospitals, residency programs, and private practices may coordinate clinician visits, group training or request customized faculty development sessions.

12. What should I bring?

  • Professional attire (scrubs recommended)

  • Notebook or tablet for note-taking

  • A signed confidentiality agreement (provided in advance)

13. Can I combine shadowing with a hands-on workshop?

Absolutely—many clinicians pair the shadowing day with:

  • The Ultrasound-Guided Pain & Regional Anesthesia Course

  • The Regenerative Pain Medicine Workshop

  • The Ultrasound IV Access Training

Shadowing + Workshop bundles are available. Inquire for special pricing

14. Why shadow with our Interventional Pain expert?

Participants consistently report learning:

  • Nuanced ultrasound technique from world renowned Interventional Pain Physician, David Rosenblum, MD

  • Real-world regenerative medicine application

  • Efficient clinical workflow

  • How to integrate advanced procedures into practice

  • Pearls not easily found in textbooks or online courses

This is an immersive experience designed to accelerate your hands-on confidence and clinical reasoning.