How PRP Enhances Osteopathy and Physiotherapy for Faster, More Effective Healing

PRP is an autologous concentration of platelets in plasma, derived from a patient’s own blood through centrifugation. It contains growth factors and cytokines that promote tissue repair, angiogenesis, and inflammation modulation.

What is PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)?

Osteopaths focus on holistic, manual, and functional approaches to musculoskeletal health. PRP can supplement their work in the following ways:

• Tissue Healing Support: Osteopaths often treat soft tissue injuries and joint dysfunctions. PRP accelerates the repair of ligaments, tendons, fascia, and joints.

• Enhanced Manual Therapy Outcomes: When manual therapy improves biomechanics and tissue mobility, PRP can biologically enhance the underlying tissue repair.

• Chronic Pain Management: In cases like chronic tendinopathies or mild to moderate osteoarthritis, PRP reduces inflammation and promotes healing, making osteopathic techniques more effective.

Use Cases for Osteopaths:

• Tendinopathies (e.g., rotator cuff, Achilles tendon)

• Joint degeneration (e.g., mild osteoarthritis)

• Sacroiliac joint pain

• Plantar fasciitis

PRP in the Context of Osteopathy and Physiotherapy

• Tendinopathy: Moderate to strong evidence supports PRP use in lateral epicondylitis, patellar tendinopathy, and Achilles tendinopathy.

• Osteoarthritis: Studies show PRP injections in knee OA improve pain and function more than corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid in many cases.

• Ligament injuries: Emerging evidence suggests PRP may help in partial ligament tears, especially in the MCL and ACL when used conservatively or post-operatively.

​

However, results vary based on PRP formulation (leukocyte-rich vs leukocyte-poor), injection technique, injury type, and patient factors.

Scientific Support for PRP