PRP therapy is often thought of as a standalone regenerative treatment, but in reality, it is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. Many patients ask: can I combine PRP with other treatments like physiotherapy? The answer is yes—and in many cases, doing so can enhance your results.
In orthopaedic practice, combining platelet-rich plasma injections with physiotherapy or other non-invasive modalities provides a well-rounded approach to treating joint degeneration, soft tissue injuries, and chronic pain.
Why Combine PRP with Physiotherapy?
PRP therapy works by stimulating tissue repair at the cellular level through concentrated growth factors drawn from your own blood. While this biological repair process is underway, physiotherapy helps improve strength, mobility, and movement patterns—key to supporting the newly regenerating tissues.
This combination is commonly recommended for:
- PRP for tendons and chronic tendon pain (e.g. tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy)
- PRP for ligaments including minor ligament tears and instability
- PRP for joints, particularly post-injection rehabilitation for knee arthritis PRP or shoulder tendonitis PRP
- Sports injury PRP, where athletes need both tissue healing and return-to-play conditioning
Physiotherapists play a key role in guiding gradual loading of the injured tissue, reducing compensatory strain on surrounding areas, and accelerating safe recovery.
Timing Matters: When to Begin Physiotherapy After PRP
Your doctor will recommend a personalised timeline based on the location and severity of your injury. In general, here’s what to expect:
- Immediate post-injection: You’ll typically rest the treated area for 24–48 hours. Light movement is encouraged, but strenuous activity should be avoided.
- First 1–2 weeks: Gentle mobility and stretching may begin, guided by your physiotherapist.
- Weeks 2–6: Progressive strengthening and loading of the healing tissue starts to build resilience.
- Beyond 6 weeks: Return to sport, work duties, or functional training is introduced based on progress and goals.
This structured approach helps reduce the risk of reinjury and supports the full benefits of PRP treatment.
What Other Therapies Can Be Combined with PRP?
Besides physiotherapy, PRP therapy can be safely integrated with:
- Manual therapy – including joint mobilisation and soft tissue release techniques
- Dry needling or acupuncture – depending on the condition and practitioner’s recommendation
- Exercise therapy – tailored stretching and strengthening programs for long-term joint support
- Education and lifestyle adjustments – such as ergonomic advice or pacing strategies for chronic joint pain
Be sure to inform your care team that you’re undergoing orthopaedic PRP so they can tailor the adjunct treatments accordingly.
