For nearly 15 years, Raynie Canoy lived with debilitating chronic pain – a relentless ache in her neck, back, knees, and hips. Despite a fibromyalgia diagnosis and attempts at yoga and magnesium baths, relief remained elusive. When a car accident in 2025 left her with five herniated discs, her desperation grew. At 30, she couldn’t dress, turn her neck, or even sleep comfortably.
After exhausting conventional options, Canoy discovered platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. This regenerative technique involves extracting a patient’s blood, separating the platelet-rich components, and injecting them into damaged tissue. The idea is to supercharge the body’s natural healing processes – whether for muscle strains or hair loss. Canoy found it more appealing than surgery, with a less disruptive recovery, and preferred it to artificial solutions like cortisol shots.
After her first injection in April, Canoy felt reborn. Chronic pain subsided, allowing her to resume yoga, bending without pain, and waking up rejuvenated. But the effects faded within months. A follow-up treatment in August didn’t work at all, leaving her back where she started – broke and frustrated. “Some people swear it works for years,” she says. “That just wasn’t my experience.”
PRP’s Hit-or-Miss Nature
Canoy’s story exemplifies the reality of PRP in the U.S.: results vary widely. Success depends on individual health, injury severity, and the clinic’s protocols and expertise. Some clinics deliver high-quality, potent PRP; others offer unverified treatments.
The lack of FDA approval – though the injection devices are cleared – contributes to this inconsistency. Unlike drugs, PRP isn’t regulated, meaning its quality is unchecked. Rigorous clinical trials are scarce, leaving PRP largely experimental. Pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to fund research on a product (your own blood) they can’t patent and sell.
The cost – up to $1,500 per session – makes it accessible only to those with disposable income. “If you don’t have the money, you could be screwed,” one patient notes.
The Explosive Rise of PRP
Despite these limitations, PRP has exploded in popularity. Once an exclusive treatment for elite athletes seeking recovery advantages abroad, it’s now mainstream, promoted for everything from wrinkles to infertility. The PRP market is projected to grow from $594 million in 2024 to $1.8 billion by 2034.
Doctors are embracing PRP too. Foot and ankle surgeon Michelle Morse initially viewed it as a last resort but now believes in the body’s natural healing power. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Tiger Woods have endorsed PRP for aesthetic and athletic benefits. Even biohacking enthusiasts like Bryan Johnson experimented with infusing his son’s plasma into his own bloodstream (with no proven results).
The trend is fueled by a broader shift towards “natural” solutions in aesthetic medicine, replacing fillers like Botox. Some clinics combine PRP with microneedling (“vampire facials”) to stimulate collagen production and reduce downtime.
The Limits of PRP
While PRP may work well for some conditions, it’s far from a guaranteed cure. Fertility treatments, for example, show limited evidence of success. One patient, Erica Ferraro, spent thousands on PRP-fueled IVF cycles with no viable embryos. “The whole point is to make embryos,” she says. “If you’re not making embryos, it’s a waste.”
Hair loss treatments also vary widely in quality, with many clinics offering unverified claims. Patients often leave feeling worse, their tears dismissed by providers who lack compassion.
How to Approach PRP
If considering PRP, choose a licensed, board-certified provider in a medical facility. Avoid pop-up “spas” or clinics with questionable practices. Price isn’t always an indicator of quality; cheaper treatments may use lower-concentration plasma or inferior machinery. Follow recommended protocols (e.g., drawing 60 cc of blood) and prioritize expertise over cost.
Ultimately, PRP’s effectiveness depends on a complex interplay of factors. While promising for some conditions, it’s not a universal solution. Patients must approach it with realistic expectations, informed consent, and careful provider selection.
In conclusion, PRP therapy can be a viable option for certain conditions, but its efficacy is far from guaranteed. Patients should approach it with caution, choosing qualified providers and understanding the limitations of this experimental treatment.
