Life before PRP Treatment

Nicole, a 44-year-old woman, had been battling degenerative disc disease since her mid-thirties. Her occasional neck and back pain worsened over time, evolving into a constant struggle. This daily pain brought migraines, vertigo, and nausea, making her once-active life challenging. She found herself just trying to get through each day—teaching, working, and then returning home, hoping for sleep to escape the pain.

Concerns before PRP Treatment

When her primary care physician offered options like a pain management clinic or surgery, Nicole wasn’t satisfied. She wanted another solution. Desperate, she remembered her husband’s success with stem cell injections, which had helped him avoid a knee replacement. Encouraged by this, she sought out a consultant to explore what could be done.

Experience during the procedure

Nicole was impressed from the first interaction with the medical team. Everyone she spoke to was friendly, respectful, and thorough. They answered all of her questions on the spot, without needing to defer to a later appointment. Although Nicole was skeptical at first, particularly because of her low iron levels, the team was upfront about what to expect and assured her they would assess her condition thoroughly.

During her treatment, Nicole discovered that PRP injections would not only target her spine but also her ligaments and muscles—without anesthesia. Despite her initial hesitation, she proceeded with the first round of injections. Nicole found the process less intense than expected, and after following the recommended recovery and physical therapy, she felt significantly better.

Over time, she completed two rounds of treatment for her neck and three for her back. Each time, she was amazed at how much better she felt. The only regret she had was waiting too long between treatments, thinking the initial improvement was as good as it could get—but it kept getting better.

What is life like now?

Physical therapy played a key role in Nicole’s recovery, and by her last round, she was hiking nine miles a day. With fewer therapy sessions needed and less time off work, she felt empowered by the improvement in her quality of life.

Message to someone considering Chicago Arthritis and Regenerative Medicine

Nicole encourages anyone unsure about getting a consult to go ahead, get their questions answered, and take the leap towards pain relief.