PRP Therapy

Barrick Family Practice

Steven Barrick, DO

Family Practice & Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine located in Colorado Springs, CO

Regenerative medicine is an exciting technique that uses natural products to help heal injured tissues. Steven Barrick, DO, of Barrick Family Practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an expert in using regenerative medicine techniques like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. Call Barrick Family Practice today to find out more about the benefits of PRP therapy or schedule an appointment online.

PRP Therapy Q & A

What is PRP therapy?

PRP therapy is a treatment that can help heal tissue injuries and reduce pain.

PRP (platelet-rich plasma) comes from your blood. It delivers high concentrations of platelets direct to the source of your pain or injury. 

Platelets are created in your bone marrow. They circulate in your blood to help with clotting if you have a wound. They also contain growth factors – cells that boost the ability of other cells (like stem cells) to heal tissues.

Studies show that PRP therapy is effective for relieving pain and restoring function so that patients can get on with their lives free from physical restriction and discomfort. 

Ultrasound and MRI scans prove the effectiveness of PRP therapy in helping injured tissues to heal. PRP therapy is a worthwhile alternative to surgery for many patients.

What happens at a PRP therapy session?

When you go for your PRP therapy session, Dr. Barrick draws some blood from your arm, which he puts into a centrifuge. By spinning your blood at high speeds, the centrifuge separates the platelets from the red and white blood cells.

The harvested platelets form a concentrated solution that Dr. Barrick can inject into your injured or painful tissues. He uses ultrasound guidance to ensure the PRP gets to exactly the right spot to have the most significant effect.

After your PRP therapy session, which takes about 35 minutes, you can carry on with your day. The area might feel a little sore or tender at first, but that’s a normal part of the healing process.

What can PRP therapy treat?

PRP therapy can treat musculoskeletal pain coming from your:

  • Joints
  • Muscles
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Spine


Dr. Barrick finds PRP therapy particularly effective in treating joint pain, which is often due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, as well as tendinitis and other common sports injuries. The science behind PRP is still developing, so researchers regularly find new applications.

How quickly does PRP therapy work?

PRP therapy doesn’t produce instant results in the way an injection of anesthetic would. However, the advantage of PRP therapy is that the results are far longer lasting because the treatment tackles the cause of your pain rather than just masking it as anesthetic would.

It takes a few weeks for enough new cells to grow that you can feel a difference. After that, you should feel a gradual improvement for the next few months. You can have three injections over a three-month period, but you could well find you get significant relief after your first injection.

If you’d like to find out how PRP therapy could help you, call Barrick Family Practice today or book an appointment online.