Understanding the Prevalence and Impact of Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most prevalent health issues in the United States. LBP significantly impacts quality of life and is one of the major contributors to healthcare costs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 25% of US adults report experiencing low back pain in the past three months. It is one of the most common reasons to seek health care in the US.
The economic burden exceeds $100 billion dollars annually. This includes direct medical expenses such as diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and surgical interventions as well as lost productivity and disability claims.
Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and in the US alone, affecting 65 million Americans with the incidence increasing with age. Among occupational groups, those engaged in heavy lifting and prolonged sitting are at increased risk.
Chronic LBP is associated with depression, reduced physical activity, obesity, and drug dependency. LBP management is often associated with narcotic dependency. Prolonged use of these drugs causes addiction and overdoses, contributing to the opioid epidemic in this country.
Reports from the National Institute on Drug Abuse reveal that 21-29% of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. This shows the need for alternate treatment of low back pain other than drugs.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain: Disc Disease and Facet Disease
Disc Disease and Its Role in Chronic Back Pain
Disc Disease is a common cause of low back pain. The degeneration of the intervertebral disc material results from age-related issues or traumatic injury. Degeneration reduces the height of the space causing fissures and inflammation. Once the nerve is involved in the area, pain ensues due to nerve root compression. This discogenic pain accounts for the greatest majority of chronic low back cases.
Facet Joint Disease and Its Impact on Spinal Health
The facet joint is the articulation between the vertebrae. Degeneration and osteoarthritic changes in these joints result in chronic inflammation. These joints play a critical role in spinal stability and movement. When affected by trauma or commonly arthritic changes, they can produce significant pain due to the extensive nerve supply in the facet capsule.
Traditional Treatment Approaches for Disc and Facet Disease
Management of both facet and disc disease typically involves a combination of conservative, interventional, and surgical approaches.
Conservative management consists of rest, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, bracing, and activity management.
Interventional procedures involve epidural steroid injection, medial branch blocks of the nerves of the facets, and radiofrequency ablation of the nerves.
Surgical options are the last resort, such as spinal fusion or disc removal (partial or complete) with replacement. Surgery is only necessary for advanced refractory cases.
These methods can alleviate symptoms, but their long-term efficacy is variable, with many patients having recurrent symptoms and problems related to the intervention. This has driven interest and research into regenerative therapies.
Regenerative Medicine: A New Approach to Back Pain Treatment
Stem Cell Therapy and Its Potential Benefits
Stem Cell Therapy is derived from the patient’s stem cells removed from either the bone marrow or the adipose tissue. Some clinicians use umbilical-derived sources from placental tissue. Stem cells have shown potential in regeneration from damaged discs and reduction in inflammation. Studies have shown promise in improving biomechanical properties.
Exosome Therapy: Promoting Cellular Repair
Exosome Therapy uses small extracellular vesicles secreted by stem cells that contain bioactive molecules to aid and direct cellular repair. Research has indicated a reduction in inflammation and regeneration of spinal tissues.
Prolotherapy: Stimulating Healing in Connective Tissue
Prolotherapy involves injecting a solution into the damaged areas, often dextrose, to stimulate healing and enhance connective tissue repair.
Growth Factors in Regenerative Medicine
Concentrated growth factors, such as transforming growth factor beta or other bioactive molecules, are often used to accelerate healing of damaged tissue.
Platelet-Rich Plasma: A Breakthrough in Back Pain Management
How Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy Works
Platelet-Rich Plasma is an autologous blood-derived concentrate that contains growth factors, cytokines, and bioactive proteins that play a significant role in tissue regeneration and engineering. PRP promotes cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and extracellular tissue repair that facilitates healing while reducing inflammation.
PRP for Discogenic Disease: Clinical Evidence
In discogenic disease, intradiscal disc injections with PRP have been proven to reduce pain while increasing function. A study by Levi et al. found a significant reduction in pain scores after PRP injection into the damaged disc, and these positive results lasted for months.
PRP for Facet Disease: A Superior Alternative to Steroids
In facet disease, PRP was found to be superior to corticosteroids in reducing pain and restoring function. This study was conducted by Navani et al.
Longer-term studies indicate that regenerative treatments, especially PRP, can provide durable pain relief and increase function in those suffering from low back pain. However, how long does the relief last?
Scientific Studies on the Long-Term Efficacy of PRP for Back Pain
A Long-Term Retrospective Observational Clinical Study
Pain Ther 2025 Jan 16, Online ahead of print PMID 39821506
- Introduction: Chronic back pain is a long-lasting disorder that is significantly associated with a reduction in the quality of life. Previously, the efficacy of intradiscal and epidural injections of plasma rich in growth factors was demonstrated at 6 months. The objective of this study was to retrospectively examine the medical records of these patients in order to determine whether the observed improvement at the 6-month follow-up was sustained over time.
- Results: The results demonstrated that 85.2% of the 27 patients who were enrolled exhibited sustained improvement across all scales over a median follow-up period of 24 months. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences between the results reported at 6 months and those at 24 months.
- Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that the treatment of low back pain with plasma-rich growth factors was effective in maintaining pain reduction and improving function for at least 24 months after the end of treatment.
Efficacy of Intradiscal Injection of PRP: A Meta-Analysis
Medicine 2023 Mar 10;102(10): e33112 PMID 36897725
- Background: Research on platelet-rich plasma for discogenic low back pain has increased in recent years, but systematic summaries are lacking. This study analyzes all published studies related to the use of intradiscal injection of PRP for the treatment of discogenic low back pain and summarizes evidence-based medicine for the efficacy of this biologic treatment for this condition.
- Conclusion: Intradiscal injection of PRP is safe and effective in the treatment of discogenic low back pain, and there was no significant change in pain at 1, 2, and 6 months after PRP treatment.
Systematic Review of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Low Back Pain
Biomedicines 2023 Aug 28;11(9):2404 PMID 37760845
- Background: Low back pain has a high economic burden and is strongly related to the degenerative process of the spine, especially in the intervertebral disc and the facet joints. Numerous treatment modalities have been proposed for the management of LBP, and platelet-rich plasma has emerged as an innovative therapeutic option for degenerative disease of the spine.
- Conclusions: PRP was found to be an effective and safe treatment for degenerative LBP. Positive results were reported in almost all studies, with a small number of adverse effects.
FDA-Cleared PRP Kits for Safe and Effective Regenerative Treatments
Juventix Regenerative Medical is an industry leader in the regenerative medical field. Our Platelet Rich Plasma kits are FDA cleared and designed for safety, sterility, and effectiveness. Our kits are scientifically manufactured to produce a platelet concentrate, devoid of red blood cells, with a minimum number of leukocytes that are critical for the regenerative process.
Innovative LED Activation for Enhanced PRP Performance
Juventix Regenerative Medical offers a patented LED activator to activate the platelets and begin the regenerative process. This activation is a critical step in the release of growth factors, cytokines, and bioactive proteins from the alpha granules on the platelets and is accomplished with LED light. This negates the use of chemical additives such as Calcium Chloride, Thrombin, or Collagen. This mode of activation by LED light provides sustained growth factor release versus older methods of activation while adhering to the minimal manipulation standards of the FDA. This activation should be accomplished after the swirl of the centrifuged product to maximize the number of captured platelets.
Bio-Incubator Technology: Advancing PRP into Injectable PRF
Juventix Regenerative Medical supplies a patented Bio-Incubator to transform the Platelet Rich Plasma into an Injectable Platelet Rich Fibrin. The Platelet Rich Fibrin, commonly called the “second generation of platelet products,” has different cytokines and growth factors than the original PRP. These different cytokines provide an anti-inflammatory microenvironment and can be used confidently in inflammatory conditions.
Juventix Regenerative Medical has a vast array of products, devices, and services for the regenerative professional. From Platelet Rich Plasma kits and processing devices to our newest addition of skincare and weight loss green lasers for weight reduction and body contouring, Juventix offers the newest “cutting-edge” products for our regenerative collaborators.
Comprehensive Regenerative Solutions for Medical Professionals
The regenerative marketplace is evolving and transforming daily. With our premier line and experienced staff, Juventix will aid and guide any regenerative professional to provide enhanced outcomes and increased patient satisfaction.
Regenerative Regards,
Dr. Robert McGrath
