The Benefits of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) at Radiance Natural Medicine

At Radiance Natural Medicine in Newberg and Lake Oswego, OR, we specialize in using Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy to treat arthritis, injuries, and chronic pain. With state-of-the-art technology, over a decade of expertise, and a commitment to patient-centered care, we deliver highly effective, precise PRP treatments that help our patients regain their mobility, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love. PRP therapy is a powerful regenerative treatment that taps into the body’s natural healing abilities, offering a non-surgical option for pain relief and tissue repair.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?

PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses a patient’s own blood to promote healing in damaged or injured tissues. The process involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, which is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the rest of the blood components. Platelets are rich in growth factors and other healing proteins, which are vital for tissue repair and regeneration. When injected into damaged tissues, PRP stimulates the body’s natural healing response, accelerating recovery, reducing inflammation, and promoting long-term tissue repair.

At Radiance Natural Medicine, we utilize the Emcyte PRP centrifuge, a leading system that delivers the highest number of platelets per sample, providing patients with up to 10 billion platelets in a single injection. This high concentration of platelets enhances the effectiveness of the treatment, ensuring optimal healing and results.

How PRP Works: Harnessing the Body’s Healing Power

Platelets are essential for the body’s healing process. When tissues are damaged, whether from injury, arthritis, or degeneration, the body naturally sends platelets to the affected area to initiate repair. Platelets release growth factors that stimulate cell proliferation, tissue regeneration, and collagen production—essential components of tissue healing.

PRP therapy enhances this natural process by delivering a concentrated dose of platelets directly to the area needing repair. By injecting a highly potent amount of platelets into damaged or inflamed tissues, PRP amplifies the body’s ability to heal itself, promoting faster recovery and reducing pain.

Ultrasound-Guided PRP Injections for Precision and Accuracy

For PRP therapy to be most effective, precise placement of the injections is critical. At Radiance Natural Medicine, we use the Mindray ultrasound system to guide our injections, ensuring that the PRP is delivered directly into the targeted tissues for maximum benefit. This advanced imaging technology allows us to visualize the affected area in real time, ensuring that the injection is precisely placed in the exact location where healing is needed.

Ultrasound-guided PRP injections are especially beneficial for treating joint pain, tendon injuries, and soft tissue damage, where accurate placement can mean the difference between a successful treatment and minimal results. With the combination of our high-quality ultrasound system and Dr. Pendell’s expertise, our patients receive the most precise and effective PRP treatments available.

Conditions Treated with PRP at Radiance Natural Medicine

PRP therapy is an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions that cause pain, inflammation, and impaired function. At Radiance Natural Medicine, we use PRP to treat the following:

1. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis can cause significant joint pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. PRP injections offer a non-surgical, regenerative solution by reducing inflammation, improving joint function, and stimulating the growth of new cartilage. Many patients experience significant relief from arthritis symptoms after PRP therapy, allowing them to return to daily activities with less pain.

2. Joint Pain

Chronic joint pain, whether caused by injury, overuse, or degeneration, can limit mobility and reduce quality of life. PRP therapy can be used to treat pain in joints such as the knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows by targeting damaged tissues and promoting healing. PRP injections have been shown to reduce pain and improve joint function, allowing patients to move more freely and comfortably.

3. Tendon and Ligament Injuries

Tendons and ligaments are often slow to heal due to limited blood flow, making injuries in these areas particularly challenging to treat. PRP therapy enhances the healing process by delivering growth factors directly to the injured tendons or ligaments, speeding up recovery and strengthening the tissue. Common conditions treated with PRP include tendinitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, and ligament sprains.

4. Muscle Injuries

Muscle strains and tears can benefit from PRP therapy, which stimulates tissue repair and reduces recovery time. Whether the injury is from sports, exercise, or overuse, PRP can help athletes and active individuals return to their activities sooner and with a reduced risk of re-injury.

5. Back and Neck Pain

Chronic back and neck pain, often caused by conditions such as degenerative disc disease or spinal injuries, can be debilitating. PRP therapy offers a regenerative treatment option for these conditions, promoting healing in damaged spinal tissues and reducing inflammation.

6. Chronic Pain

For individuals suffering from chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments, PRP therapy offers a natural, non-surgical option for long-term relief. By addressing the underlying cause of pain and promoting tissue repair, PRP can help patients reduce their reliance on pain medications and improve their overall quality of life.

Why Choose PRP at Radiance Natural Medicine?

1. High-Quality PRP with the Emcyte PRP Centrifuge

At Radiance Natural Medicine, we use the Emcyte PRP centrifuge, which is recognized as one of the most advanced systems available for producing high-quality platelet-rich plasma. This system delivers the highest concentration of platelets, with up to 10 billion platelets per sample, ensuring that our patients receive the maximum therapeutic benefit from each injection. This high concentration of platelets increases the regenerative potential of PRP, leading to better outcomes and faster recovery.

2. Ultrasound-Guided Injections for Precision

Precision is key to successful PRP therapy. Using our Mindray ultrasound system, we ensure that each PRP injection is placed with pinpoint accuracy. This allows us to target the exact tissues that need healing, whether it’s a joint, tendon, ligament, or muscle, providing patients with more effective results and reducing the likelihood of complications.

3. Expertise in Regenerative Therapies

Dr. Pendell has over 10 years of experience in regenerative injection therapies, including PRP, prolotherapy, and other non-surgical treatments. Her extensive knowledge and experience ensure that patients receive the highest standard of care. Additionally, Dr. Pendell mentored with Dr. Tyna Moore, a leading expert in prolotherapy and regenerative medicine, for one year, further advancing her skills in this field.

4. Natural, Non-Surgical Healing

PRP therapy offers a natural alternative to more invasive treatments such as surgery or long-term use of medications. Since PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction, making it a safe and effective option for many patients. Additionally, PRP works with the body’s natural healing processes, promoting tissue repair and regeneration without the need for synthetic drugs or surgical intervention.

5. Personalized Care

At Radiance Natural Medicine, we believe in personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs and goals. We take the time to thoroughly evaluate each patient’s condition, health history, and lifestyle, ensuring that our PRP treatments are customized to provide the best possible outcomes. Our goal is to help each patient achieve long-term relief from pain and injury, allowing them to return to the activities they love.

Dr. Pendell: Your Expert in PRP and Regenerative Therapies

Dr. Pendell is a highly skilled naturopathic physician with over a decade of experience in regenerative injection therapies, including PRP and prolotherapy. Her expertise in treating musculoskeletal conditions, combined with her commitment to natural, non-invasive healing, makes her one of the leading providers of PRP therapy in the Newberg and Lake Oswego areas.

In addition to her clinical experience, Dr. Pendell spent one year mentoring with Dr. Tyna Moore, a renowned expert in regenerative medicine and prolotherapy. This mentorship provided Dr. Pendell with advanced training in the art and science of regenerative injections, allowing her to offer the most cutting-edge treatments to her patients. Dr. Pendell maintains her skills by attending live, in person trainings 2-3 times per year with the leading physicians in the country. She is a member of NOMA (Naturopathic Orthopedic Medicine Academy), and regularly attends trainings at Gulf Coast Biologics, RegenTx, and Rejuv Medical, which include cadaver models and hands-on ultrasound guided injection technique skills mastery.

What to Expect During PRP Treatment

The PRP treatment process at Radiance Natural Medicine is straightforward and minimally invasive. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Consultation: Your treatment begins with a thorough consultation to assess your condition, medical history, and treatment goals. Dr. Pendell will determine whether PRP therapy is right for you and develop a customized treatment plan.

2. Blood Draw and PRP Preparation: A small amount of your blood is drawn and processed in the Emcyte PRP centrifuge to concentrate the platelets. This process takes about 15-20 minutes and results in a highly concentrated PRP solution ready for injection.

3. Ultrasound-Guided Injection: Using the Mindray ultrasound, Dr. Pendell will guide the PRP injection to the precise location needing treatment. The injection is quick and relatively painless, though a local anesthetic may be used to minimize discomfort.

4. Post-Treatment Recovery: PRP therapy is a minimally invasive procedure with little to no downtime. Most patients can return to their normal activities shortly after the treatment, though strenuous activities may need to be avoided for a short time.

5. Results: Patients typically begin to notice improvements in pain, mobility, and function within a few weeks of treatment, with continued improvement over the following months as the tissues heal and regenerate.