For athletes, injuries aren’t just inconvenient — they can change everything. A pulled hamstring, a torn tendon, or lingering knee pain can sideline even the most dedicated competitor.
If you’ve tried rest, physical therapy, or cortisone injections without lasting results, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy might be the boost your body needs to heal more effectively.
PRP therapy has gained attention among professional and recreational athletes alike; not because it’s trendy, but because it works with your body’s natural healing processes to support faster recovery and reduced pain.
Join Dr. David Wu and our team at CurePain as we walk through the Xs and Os of PRP therapy and how it can help you return to play faster than ever.
PRP therapy stimulates tissue repair by harnessing the power of platelets, which are rich in growth factors and natural compounds that help heal injuries. During the procedure, we draw your blood, place it in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma, and then inject it directly into the injured area.
Because the treatment uses your own blood, the risk of allergic reactions or complications is low. And unlike some treatments that mask pain temporarily, PRP targets the underlying injury to promote real healing.
One of the biggest benefits of PRP therapy is accelerated healing. Athletes often can’t afford to be out of the game for months at a time. PRP can help repair soft tissue injuries, like sprains, tendon tears, or ligament damage, by amplifying the body’s natural repair process.
That doesn’t mean instant results, but it can shorten the recovery timeline, allowing you to return to your sport with less downtime.
Unlike cortisone injections, which temporarily reduce inflammation but don’t heal tissue, PRP helps calm inflammation while also supporting repair. This dual action means less pain during recovery and fewer flare-ups later on.
PRP is minimally invasive, which is a major plus for athletes looking for an alternative to surgery (especially for injuries that are painful but not severe enough to require an operation). By strengthening and repairing tissue, PRP can help you avoid more aggressive interventions down the line.
We use PRP to treat a wide range of sports-related injuries, including tendonitis, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and even mild joint arthritis. It’s most popular among runners, contact sport players, baseball and softball players, and tennis players, but it can benefit anyone who wants to keep moving without chronic pain.
It can be combined with physical therapy and other modalities, creating a well-rounded recovery plan tailored to your needs.
The ultimate goal for any athlete is to get back to what they love. PRP can help by supporting healing, improving comfort, and preserving strength during recovery. Our PRP therapy patients return to training or competition with greater confidence and less fear of re-injury.
PRP therapy is done in an outpatient setting and usually takes less than an hour. After your blood is drawn and processed, Dr. Wu injects the PRP into the affected area using ultrasound guidance for precision.
You might experience mild soreness or swelling for a day or two, but you should be able to resume light activity within a week, depending on the injury. The full effects build gradually over several weeks as your body repairs itself.
PRP isn’t only for elite athletes. Weekend warriors, recreational runners, and anyone with a stubborn sports injury may benefit. The best way to know is to talk with our pain management specialist, who can assess your injury and recommend the right treatment plan.
PRP therapy isn’t a quick fix — it’s a powerful, natural way to support your body’s own healing. For athletes, it can mean less pain, shorter recovery time, and a stronger return to the sport they love.
Whether you’re working toward a comeback or trying to avoid surgery, PRP may be worth considering as part of your recovery strategy.
Let’s make a game plan. Call our friendly staff or use our online booking tool to schedule a consultation today.
