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5 Ways to Get the Best Results from Orthopedic PRP Injections

By FoRM Health | September 3, 2025

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are increasingly being researched and used as effective treatments for joint pain, arthritis, tendon and ligament injuries, and nerve damage. Patients may ask: “What can I do to make PRP injections work better?”
In my experience, what you do before and after your injection is just as important as the treatment itself. The quality of the PRP, the expertise of the provider, and the steps you take to support your body all matter.
Here are five key steps I recommend to optimize your response to PRP injections:

1. Get High-Quality PRP

Not all PRP is created equal. One of the most important lessons from research is that platelet concentration and total platelet dose matter.
  • Studies suggest the best results occur with a 5–6x baseline platelet concentration or at least 1 billion platelets per milliliter of PRP.¹ ²
  • Different conditions may require different PRP formulations. For example, leukocyte-poor PRP (LP-PRP) often works better for arthritis, while leukocyte-rich PRP (LR-PRP) may be more effective in tendon, ligament, or nerve injuries.³ ⁴
  • The processing method used in the clinic plays a major role in whether PRP reaches these concentrations consistently.
If not being seen at FoRM in Portland, Oregon, I would encourage patients to ask their provider what type of PRP system they use, and whether it can consistently hit these target concentrations. It’s one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting the highest-quality treatment.

2. Exercise — But Modify It After PRP

Exercise plays a powerful role in preparing your body for PRP and supporting recovery afterward.
  • Research shows that regular activity can increase circulating platelets and mobilize stem cells, both of which support tissue healing. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is specifically effective for this.⁵ ⁶
  • It is important to understand that exercise may be significantly modified and reduced immediately after PRP to allow for proper recovery. Overloading the tissue too soon can interfere with the healing process.
  • A gradual, guided return to activity is essential.
With rare exception, I typically recommend working with our sports chiropractor or physical therapist after PRP. They help patients ease back into activity safely, without compromising the healing process. Even gentle mobility drills should be supervised initially to ensure proper progression.

3. Follow an Inflammation-Modulating Diet

PRP works by triggering a controlled inflammatory response to jumpstart healing. Nutrition helps determine whether that inflammation is healthy and short-lived—or chronic and destructive.
  • A Mediterranean-style diet, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, has been shown to reduce harmful inflammation and support platelet function.⁷
  • Diets high in processed foods, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats promote low-grade inflammation that can interfere with repair.
Your diet is like fuel for recovery. It can either accelerate healing, or it can make inflammation last longer than it should. If you’re investing in PRP, pairing it with the right diet is one of the smartest choices you can make.

4. Use Supplements at the Right Time

Supplements can play a powerful role in supporting PRP, but timing is critical. Some nutrients boost stem cell activity, while others may interfere with platelet function—the very cells PRP relies on.
  • Before PRP (long-term joint health): Supplements like vitamin C, quercetin, resveratrol, and glucosamine have been shown to increase mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) activity, which supports the repair of tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and nerve tissue.⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰ However, these same supplements can reduce platelet aggregation.
  • During PRP (critical healing window): Because PRP depends on platelet activation, it is best to stop these supplements 1 week before and 1 week after PRP. This allows platelets to function optimally.¹¹ ¹²
  • After PRP (supporting balanced healing): Adding vitamin D, curcumin, and fish oil after the first week may help regulate inflammation and promote long-term tissue repair.¹³
Take supplements like a training schedule: some are best taken leading up to the event, others should be paused during it, and some are most effective afterward. That rhythm really matters for PRP success.

5. Choose the Right Provider

One of the most important factors in PRP success is the provider’s expertise.
  • A qualified provider should specialize in musculoskeletal and orthopedic medicine—not simply offer PRP as one of many unrelated treatments. At FoRM Health, for example, we offer a wide range of services, including hormone and gut health support, because these are important pieces of the healing puzzle. But when it comes to PRP, the procedure should be performed by a provider who focuses on orthopedic and sports medicine.
  • The spectrum of orthopedic conditions is complex, and success with PRP depends on a deep understanding of how it applies to different injuries and degenerative processes.
  • Just as important is the way PRP is delivered. Image guidance (ultrasound or fluoroscopy) ensures the injection is precisely placed in the injured tissue, which significantly improves accuracy and outcomes.¹⁴
 It’s not just about whether a clinic offers PRP—it’s about who is performing it, and whether they have advanced expertise in orthopedics and regenerative medicine.

Key Takeaway

If you’re considering PRP, my best advice is this: treat the injection as the beginning of the healing process, not the end. By ensuring high-quality PRP, following a healing-friendly lifestyle, using supplements strategically, and choosing the right provider, patients can significantly improve their outcomes.
Everything you do before and after matters just as much as what happens in the procedure room.

References

  1. Magalon J, et al. Standardization of platelet-rich plasma preparations: A must for efficacy and safety. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(3):158–160.
  2. Everts P, et al. The role of platelet concentrates in musculoskeletal medicine: dose matters. Pain Med. 2021;22(7):1542–1544.
  3. Belk JW, et al. Leukocyte-rich vs leukocyte-poor PRP for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2021;49(7):1933–1941.
  4. Fitzpatrick J, Bulsara M, Zheng MH. The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in tendinopathy: a meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(1):226–233.
  5. Behrens M, Mau-Moeller A, Bruhn S. Effect of exercise on circulating hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Front Physiol. 2016;7:506.
  6. Ikarashi K, et al. Exercise enhances mobilization of circulating stem cells. Int J Sports Med. 2018;39(4):283–289.
  7. Estruch R, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1279–1290.
  8. Shaw G, et al. Vitamin C-enriched gelatin supplementation before activity augments collagen synthesis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2017;105(1):136–143.
  9. Liu Y, et al. Resveratrol enhances proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Mol Med Rep. 2016;13(5):4109–4117.
  10. Calamia V, et al. Glucosamine modulates anabolic and catabolic gene expression in human chondrocytes. Arthritis Res Ther. 2010;12(1):R138.
  11. Wright B, et al. Quercetin and platelet function: a systematic review. Thromb Res. 2019;177:94–103.
  12. Olas B, Wachowicz B. Resveratrol and vitamin C as platelet inhibitors. Platelets. 2002;13(6):357–362.
  13. Montagnino J, et al. Optimizing orthobiologic therapies with exercise, diet, and supplements. PM&R. 2025;17(4):452–462.
  14. Finnoff JT, et al. Accuracy of ultrasound-guided versus unguided musculoskeletal injections: a systematic review. PM&R. 2015;7(10):1111–1123
About Dr. Ryan Minarik
Dr. Ryan Minarik specializes in non-surgical orthopedic medicine in Portland, Oregon. He has over 18 years of experience in orthopedic regenerative medicine, including PRP, prolotherapy, and MFAT injections, and more than 15 years of experience with musculoskeletal ultrasound. He is a founding board member of the Naturopathic Orthopedic Medicine Academy (NOMA) and an active member of the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine (AAOM) and the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation (IOF).

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Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or looking to improve your movement, our Doctor of Physical Therapy, Joanne Siegel, combines her decades-long expertise with a focus on long-term wellness!

💪 Personalized rehab plans
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We love hearing these glowing reviews from Dr. Siegel’s patients. Reach out to us to learn more about her practice and start your personalized Rehab plan! 

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FoRM providers kicked back this week for our month FoRM providers kicked back this week for our monthly book club 📚—this month’s pick: The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman. We gathered at @oranmormead in Sellwood, a new local spot, to swap insights (and laughs) over mead. 🍯✨

We love supporting local businesses while building community with our team.

#FoRMHealth #BookClub #sellwoodmoreland 
@sblaney22 @drcaitlanreadhead @constant_balance_acupuncture @colburn.natasha
Reclaim your health routine! Sleep, Stress, Move + Reclaim your health routine! Sleep, Stress, Move + Eat better with services @formhealthpdx.com
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Cool things happen in Vegas…🎲 Last month, Dr. Cool things happen in Vegas…🎲
Last month, Dr. Ryan Minarik joined a select group of regenerative medicine specialists in Las Vegas to develop a trailblazing PRP study with @apex_biologix. 

Dr. Ryan and his @apex-biologix advisory board colleagues are on a mission to progress the field of orthopedic regenerative medicine!

Another exciting development, FoRM’s team of regenerative specialists will be expanding Fall 2025! Big things ahead 👏🏽👏🏽 @drbrittanykrake 

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These are our skin experts’ favorite products to These are our skin experts’ favorite products to use through summer ☀️(+ beyond) to keep their skin healthy & glowy:

🧴 Alto Advanced Defense Serum → Antioxidants + Vitamin C = major UV protection

🌞 Sunbetter SPF 68 or ToneSmart Compact → Tinted Mineral-based sunscreen, makes for a great base, always in our bags.

Caution ⛔️ with Retinols as they can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage!

#SummerSkin #SPFEveryDay #FoRMFavorites
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Most of us love our sunny summer days in the Pacif Most of us love our sunny summer days in the Pacific Northwest, but too much sun has its downside. 

Here are a few tips for protect and recovering from too much 🌞 

PROTECT
Always wear sunscreen on all sun-exposed skin when out and about. We recommend a mineral-based SPF 50+ and wearing coverage like hats and sun-shirts for even better protection.

FoRM favorite SPF for your face:
– Epionce Daily Shield Tinted SPF 50 (now on online sale)
– SunBetter Tone Smart SPF 75 (available at FoRM)

RESET
If your skin is desiccated and discolored from the sun, consider a 
much-needed reset with our Custom Combo Facial—a summer favorite that includes gentle exfoliation, hydration infusion, skin-barrier healing mask + LED light therapy.

Included in the CUSTOM COMBO (summer edition)

✨Enzyme mask for build up (sweat, SPF)
✨Bt-micro ultrasonic exfoliation
✨Hydroderm (hyperpigmentation + hydration)
✨Microcurrent with vitamin C serum
✨Cooling and soothing mask 
✨Red + Green LED (cell renew + hyperpigmentation) 
✨Moisturizer and SPF

Schedule with O’Brien using using link in bio

#formhealth #formhealthpdx #TopForm #lookbetter #sellwoodmoreland #naturalaesthetics #healthyisbeautiful #agedefy #Skinrehab #glowup #SkinRejuvenation #PRFskinrejuvenation #naturalbeauty #microneedling #ipl #iplfacial #photorejuvenation #botox #biotherapeutic #advancedaesthetician #skinbetterscience #epionce #dermaplaning #microcurrent #hydrodermabrasion #nofilterneeded
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Even if you’re not a competitive athlete — electrolytes need to be on your radar! 🚨 Whether you’re hiking in the back country, crushing a gym sesh, or lounging in the sun .. here’s why you need ‘em:

💧 HYDRATION they help us actually absorb the water we’re sippin’ 
💧MUSCLES electrolytes help with fatigue, cramping and recovery 
💧BRAIN they are key for nerve signaling and can even help with that pesky 3pm brain fog 
💧SLEEP magnesium helps us to relax & feel calmer 

Ideally, you’re having electrolytes with sodium, potassium + magnesium & least amount of ingredients. Look out for hidden sugars in lots of the mainstream brands! 👀 
Add them to plain water OR sneak them into a fun sparkling drink like @drinkolipop 

The ones we like:
@tracemineralsresearch 
@drinklmnt 
@ancientnutrition 

Cheers to feeling better this Summer! 🤸 

#hydration #electrolytes #feelbetter #functionalnutrition #funinthesun #movebetter #formhealthpdx
Most of us love our sunny summer days in the Pacif Most of us love our sunny summer days in the Pacific Northwest, but too much sun has its downside 😎

Here are a few tips for protect and recovering from too much 🌞 

PROTECT

Follow these rules to prevent being depleted by the heat:
- at a minimum, drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily 💦
- On hotter, active days, add 12–24 oz for every hour of outdoor activity. 😅
- If you’re sweating a lot, toss in some electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium) to keep your system balanced. 🥵

Hydration isn’t just about water— eating plenty of fresh fruits + veggies can help with hydration too! 🫐

RESET

If you’ve already pushed it too far and you’re noticing signs of dehydration (fatigue, lightheadedness, headache, brain fog, darkening urine), consider a hydrating IV drip to help you reset quickly.

Our most popular summer IV Formulas:

Performance Boost: saline, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium, L-Carnitine + Taurine

⚡️key nutrients that help your cells produce more energy and protect you from dehydration; perfect IV for pre-race or competition

Recovery Boost - saline, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Bicarbonate + Potassium

😮‍💨 nutrients that help your cells reset from a depleted state; ideal IV post-race or following travel, illness, or over-exertion.

Use link in bio to schedule your IV
 

#formhealth #formhealthpdx #TopForm #sellwoodmoreland #naturalaesthetics #healthyisbeautiful #agedefy #Skinrehab #glowup #SkinRejuvenation #PRFskinrejuvenation #naturalbeauty #microneedling #ipl #iplfacial #photorejuvenation #botox #biotherapeutic #advancedaesthetician #skinbetterscience #epionce #dermaplaning #microcurrent #hydrodermabrasion #nofilterneeded
Essential Summer Tips: Protect, Refresh + Reset ag Essential Summer Tips: Protect, Refresh + Reset against the summer heat!

Stay in top FoRM this summer with #ivtherapy #hydrationtips #functionalnutrition #customfacial #clinicalskincare #mineralsunscreen #performanceIV #recoveryIV

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Dry-needling acupuncture goes after small areas of tightly bound fibers within muscle and fascia that eventually turn into larger areas of tightness & tension, leading to an injury when pushed too far!

Signs you need some injury prevention therapy:
- joint pain (ie knee pain) during activity
- lingering soreness after activity
- altered gait or restricted movement during & following activity
- early muscle fatigue

At FoRM, we offer this service as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with relaxing manual therapy 💆🏽‍♂️ to boost the benefits (as pictured in this video)!

Remember, you don’t need to be a pro-athlete to benefit from Injury Prevention!

#formhealth #formhealthpdx #TopForm #sellwoodmoreland #movebetter #FeelBetterMoveBetter #painfreenaturally #healnaturally #prp #regenerativemedicine #orthopedicmedicine #injuryprevention #nonsurgicalsolutions#acupuncture #dryneedling #guasha #cupping #chiropracticcare #physicaltherapy #sportschiropractor #massagetherapy
We can’t leave out the importance of REST to kee We can’t leave out the importance of REST to keep yourself moving + feeling better. Relaxing is productive (say that one more time 😉) & self-care is a commitment to the long game for both your muscles & nervous system. ✨ 

This is a FoRMula that consists of: 

😌 SOAK
😌 SAUNA
😌 COLD PLUNGE
😌 REFUEL
😌 RELAX
😌 REPEAT 

We’d love to hear what you do on your R+R days!! Let us know in the comments. 🗣️ 

#restisproductive #recover #sauna #coldplungetherapy #relaxation #selfcare #feelbetter #movebetter #nervoussystemregulation #functionalmedicine #formhealthpdx
Injury Prevention can be done on the daily, weekly Injury Prevention can be done on the daily, weekly, + monthly! This is what our nutritionist, Ellina, has been doing to keep herself moving better on the court, on the trail, on a bicycle, & on the dance floor. 💪 

✅ Regular Dry Needling
✅ Strength Training 
✅ Physical Therapy Exercises 
✅ Mobility + Stretching 
✅ Active Recovery 

Come see one of our many Move Better providers who can help keep you in top FoRM this Summer for all of your favorite activities!! ⛰️ ☀️ 

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