Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a biologic injection treatment that uses components from your own blood to support the body's natural healing response. At Majestic MD Spa in Monterey, PRP injections are performed by Dr. Lisa R. Kroopf, M.D., a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine.
PRP uses concentrated platelets and growth factors from your own blood to support tissue recovery, joint function, and musculoskeletal health. Every treatment is guided by clinical evaluation, imaging review when appropriate, and image-guided injection technique.
If you live in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, Carmel Valley, or anywhere on the Monterey Peninsula, physician-led PRP therapy is available close to home.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy?
Your blood contains small cells called platelets. These platelets carry growth factors and signaling proteins involved in tissue repair, inflammation regulation, and healing.
PRP therapy concentrates these platelets to levels above normal baseline concentrations. A small sample of your blood is drawn and processed in a centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich portion. The result is a formula made entirely from your own biology.
When injected into a joint, spine-related structure, tendon, ligament, or nearby tissue, PRP delivers a focused concentration of growth factors to the area being treated. A systematic review in the American Journal of Sports Medicine suggests PRP may help improve pain and function in select patients, especially those with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis.​
PRP is an autologous therapy, meaning it comes from your own body. Because PRP uses your own blood components, the risk of allergic reaction is low.
How PRP Therapy Works
PRP therapy follows a structured, physician-led process. Most sessions are completed in a single visit and typically take approximately 60-90 minutes from arrival to completion.
Step 1: Blood Draw
A small blood sample is drawn from your arm, similar to routine lab work.
Step 2: Processing
The blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins at high speed to separate the platelet-rich layer from other blood components. This platelet-rich portion is then prepared for injection.
Step 3: Image-Guided Injection
The treatment area is carefully evaluated before injection. All PRP procedures are performed with real-time ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic visualization to support procedural precision and accurate treatment delivery.
Image guidance is especially important for spine, joint, tendon, and ligament procedures. If a provider is offering PRP injections without ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance, patients should ask how the target area is being confirmed and how accuracy is being optimized.
The concentrated PRP is then injected into the target area based on the patient's anatomy, symptoms, imaging findings, diagnosis, and functional goals.
Because PRP uses your own blood, side effects are generally limited to temporary soreness or irritation at the injection site. As with any biologic treatment, results vary from person to person.
Conditions PRP Can Support
PRP therapy supports the body's natural healing response in joints, the spine, tendons, ligaments, and nearby soft tissues. Research continues to evolve, and candidacy depends on the diagnosis, severity of degeneration, imaging findings, activity goals, and overall health.
1
Joint Health
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most studied uses of PRP. A 2024 meta-analysis published in Arthroscopy covering 48 studies and over 9,300 knees found that PRP-based injections demonstrated favorable improvements in pain and function scores compared with several other injectable therapies at follow-up intervals beyond 6 months.
A separate systematic review in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders suggests PRP may provide longer-lasting symptom improvement than corticosteroid injections for some patients at 6 and 9 months after treatment.
Some patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis who want to remain active or delay more invasive procedures may consider PRP as part of a broader joint preservation strategy. Outcomes vary based on arthritis severity, biomechanics, rehabilitation participation, activity level, and individual healing response.
PRP may also be considered for select shoulder, hip, sacroiliac joint, tendon, and ligament concerns after physician evaluation.
1
Spine and Back Support
PRP is an active area of investigation in regenerative spine care. In carefully selected patients with chronic low back pain related to degenerative changes, PRP may be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan after appropriate clinical evaluation and imaging review.
A 2023 systematic review in Biomedicines covering 40 studies found that PRP showed promising results for some low back pain conditions, though research continues to evolve and treatment protocols are not yet standardized across all spinal applications.
For example, a patient with chronic low back pain related to degenerative spine changes may be evaluated with a physical exam, imaging review, and discussion of prior treatments before PRP is considered. PRP may be one part of a broader plan that includes movement modification, rehabilitation planning, and supportive therapies.
Not every patient is an ideal candidate for PRP. Patients with advanced structural degeneration, active infection, certain blood disorders, uncontrolled inflammatory conditions, or other complex medical issues may require alternative treatment approaches.
What to Expect During PRP Therapy
Before Your Session
PRP therapy begins with a physician consultation. Dr. Kroopf will review your medical history, symptoms, prior treatments, imaging findings, activity level, and goals.
In some cases, updated imaging or additional diagnostic evaluation may be recommended before proceeding. This helps confirm whether PRP is appropriate and whether the treatment target can be safely and accurately addressed.
During Your Session
The PRP process includes a blood draw, centrifuge processing, and image-guided injection, all performed during the same visit. Most appointments take approximately 60-90 minutes from arrival to completion.
Real-time imaging is used throughout the procedure to help confirm anatomy and optimize injection placement, particularly for deeper joints, spine-related structures, tendons, ligaments, and sacroiliac joint procedures.
Most patients tolerate the procedure well. The level of discomfort varies depending on the area being treated.
After Your Session
Some patients experience temporary soreness, stiffness, or increased sensitivity at the injection site for several days. Short-term activity modification may be recommended before gradually returning to exercise, physical therapy, or normal activity.
PRP is not viewed as a stand-alone quick fix. It is most effective when paired with appropriate movement strategy, rehabilitation planning, and realistic expectations.
At Majestic MD Spa, PRP may also be paired with supportive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) before and/or after injection. Our protocol is modeled in part after regenerative medicine approaches used at university-affiliated and integrative centers that combine biologic therapies with systemic recovery support.
Many patients begin noticing gradual improvement within several weeks, although benefits may continue to build over several months. Results vary depending on the condition treated, severity of degeneration, rehabilitation participation, and individual healing response.
Why Physician-Led PRP Matters
Who performs your PRP procedure matters. The quality of a PRP treatment depends on proper patient selection, preparation method, image-guided technique, and a clear understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy.​
At Majestic MD Spa, PRP is performed by Dr. Lisa R. Kroopf, M.D., DABPMR. Dr. Kroopf is board-certified in both Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. These specialties focus on function, mobility, pain, joints, spine, soft tissue, and rehabilitation.
This background is directly relevant to PRP because musculoskeletal injection care requires more than simply placing PRP into an area of discomfort. It requires understanding the diagnosis, biomechanics, imaging findings, prior treatments, and the patient's long-term functional goals.
PRP preparation and delivery can vary significantly across providers. Platelet concentration, processing method, injection target, image guidance, and post-procedure planning can all influence the treatment experience.
We use image guidance in every PRP case to improve accuracy and procedural confidence. If a provider is not using image guidance for PRP, patients should ask how the injection target is being confirmed.
Physician-led PRP means your treatment is guided by medical training, diagnostic reasoning, image-guided precision, and a plan designed around your body.
PRP Therapy at Majestic MD Spa
Majestic MD Spa is located at 172 El Dorado St. in downtown Monterey. We serve patients across the Monterey Peninsula, including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, and Carmel Valley.
​
PRP therapy is one part of a broader regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal wellness approach at Majestic MD Spa. Based on your goals, Dr. Kroopf may recommend supportive therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, hormone optimization, rehabilitation planning, or other treatments that support long-term function and recovery.
​
For example, a patient with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis who wants to stay active may be evaluated for PRP as part of a broader joint preservation plan. A patient with chronic spine-related pain may require imaging review, careful diagnosis, and discussion of whether PRP is appropriate before any procedure is recommended.
Every PRP treatment begins with a physician consultation. Dr. Kroopf reviews your health history, symptoms, imaging, activity goals, and prior treatments before determining whether PRP is a reasonable option.
Ready to find out if PRP therapy is right for you? Call (831) 231-8586 or book a consultation to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About PRP Therapy
What is PRP therapy used for?
PRP therapy is used to support joint health, spinal wellness, tendon and ligament recovery, and tissue repair. Common areas include the knee, shoulder, hip, sacroiliac joint, and select spine-related concerns. Dr. Kroopf will assess whether PRP is appropriate during a physician consultation.
Is PRP therapy safe?
PRP is considered low-risk for many patients because it uses your own blood components. The most common side effects are temporary soreness, stiffness, or irritation at the injection site. PRP may not be appropriate for patients with active infection, certain blood disorders, severe uncontrolled medical conditions, or advanced structural degeneration.
How long does PRP therapy take to work?
Many patients begin noticing gradual improvement within several weeks. Research published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders suggests benefits may continue to build over 3 to 6 months, with some patients reporting improvement at 9 months and beyond.
Is PRP performed with image guidance?
Yes. Dr. Kroopf uses ultrasound and/or fluoroscopic guidance in every PRP case to improve accuracy and visualization of the treatment target. Image guidance is especially important for spine, joint, tendon, ligament, and sacroiliac procedures.
​If a provider is offering PRP without image guidance, patients should ask how the injection target is being confirmed.
How much does PRP therapy cost in Monterey?
PRP therapy costs vary based on the area being treated, the complexity of the procedure, and the number of sessions recommended. Majestic MD Spa uses a flexible credit-based membership system. Call (831) 231-8586 or schedule a consultation to discuss pricing and options.
Who is a good candidate for PRP therapy?
PRP may be a good fit for patients with mild-to-moderate joint degeneration, chronic tendon or ligament concerns, sacroiliac joint pain, or select spine-related conditions. A consultation with Dr. Kroopf is the best way to determine whether PRP is appropriate for your diagnosis and goals.
How many PRP sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on your condition, severity of degeneration, treatment goals, and response to therapy. Some patients may benefit from a single treatment. Others may require a series of treatments spaced over time. Your plan will be discussed during your consultation.
Medical Disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. PRP therapy is used at Majestic MD Spa as a physician-guided biologic injection therapy to support musculoskeletal health, tissue recovery, and function. Results vary based on diagnosis, severity of degeneration, overall health, and individual healing response. Talk to a qualified physician before starting any new medical or wellness therapy.
​
Medically reviewed by Lisa R. Kroopf, M.D., Board Certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Last reviewed: May 2026