Natural PRP Injections for Tendonitis

Living with tendonitis can feel like a frustrating cycle — pain flares up during everyday movements, rest only brings temporary relief, and conventional treatments like steroid injections or pain medications come with side effects or limited long-term benefits.

If you’re seeking a natural, regenerative solution for tendon pain, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections may offer the relief you've been searching for — without drugs, surgery, or synthetic chemicals.

At her Encinitas clinic, Dr. Wafaa Matti, Naturopathic Medical Doctor, offers natural PRP injections for tendonitis as part of a comprehensive, integrative treatment plan. Unlike conventional options that simply numb the pain or suppress inflammation, PRP works by activating your body’s innate healing ability — using your own concentrated platelets to regenerate damaged tendons, reduce pain, and restore mobility over time.

Whether you're dealing with chronic tennis elbow, rotator cuff strain, or Achilles tendonitis, PRP therapy helps repair tendon tissue at the cellular level, improving function and reducing recurrence. It’s ideal for athletes, active adults, and anyone who wants a natural approach to tendon healing that treats the root cause — not just the symptoms.

With Dr. Wafaa’s holistic training and clinical precision, your PRP treatment plan is carefully tailored to your condition, overall health, and lifestyle. You’ll also receive supportive naturopathic guidance to reduce inflammation, nourish connective tissues, and promote total-body healing.

Understanding Tendonitis: Causes & Symptoms

Tendonitis — also known as tendinitis — is a common condition that occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed or irritated, usually due to repetitive stress or overuse. Tendons are the thick fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones, and they play a critical role in every movement your body makes, from lifting a coffee mug to running a marathon.

When tendons are overworked or strained beyond their natural limits, small microtears and inflammation can develop. Over time, this can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility — especially in areas of the body that are heavily used or strained.

What Causes Tendonitis?

Tendonitis often develops from a combination of lifestyle factors, physical activity patterns, and even age-related degeneration. Common causes include:

• Repetitive motion or overuse (typing, painting, lifting, running)
• Sports injuries, especially in high-impact or overhead activities like tennis, golf, or swimming
• Improper form or posture during physical activity or work
• Age-related wear and tear, as tendons lose elasticity and strength over time
• Underlying inflammation in the body (from poor diet, stress, or autoimmune conditions)

Tendonitis can affect anyone, but it's especially common in athletes, manual laborers, and adults over 40.

Most Common Areas Affected by Tendonitis

While tendonitis can occur in nearly any tendon in the body, certain areas are more prone to stress and overuse. These include:

• Shoulder (Rotator Cuff Tendonitis): Often seen in swimmers, throwers, and weightlifters
• Elbow (Tennis Elbow or Golfer’s Elbow): Pain on the inner or outer part of the elbow due to repetitive gripping or lifting
• Knee (Patellar Tendonitis): Common in runners and jumpers — often called “Jumper’s Knee”
• Achilles Tendonitis: Pain and tightness in the back of the ankle, especially after running or walking uphill
• Wrist and Thumb Tendonitis (De Quervain’s): Seen in those who type, text, or use repetitive hand motions

What Is PRP and How Does It Work?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a cutting-edge regenerative therapy that uses your body’s own healing cells to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and support natural recovery — especially in conditions like tendonitis. It’s gaining popularity as a safe, non-surgical alternative for joint and soft tissue injuries, and it’s particularly powerful in treating stubborn or chronic tendon pain.

At its core, PRP therapy is about enhancing the body’s innate ability to heal — without drugs, steroids, or invasive procedures.

What Exactly Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?

PRP is a concentrated form of your blood that contains a high volume of platelets — the small, cell fragments that play a central role in wound healing and tissue regeneration. These platelets are packed with growth factors, which are signaling molecules that help:

• Stimulate collagen production
• Repair damaged connective tissue
• Increase blood flow to injured areas
• Reduce inflammation and pain naturally

When PRP is injected into an area of inflammation or injury — such as a strained tendon — it triggers the body’s repair response, accelerating healing and helping to restore tendon structure and function.

How PRP Treats Tendonitis at the Root

Unlike cortisone shots that temporarily mask inflammation, PRP works at a deeper level by repairing the micro-tears and degeneration within the tendon tissue itself. It helps reverse the chronic wear and strain that causes pain in the first place.

By addressing the true source of tendon dysfunction, PRP helps:

• Shorten recovery times
• Improve tendon strength and resilience
• Prevent long-term degeneration or re-injury

Whether you’ve tried physical therapy, rest, or even injections without success, PRP offers a regenerative, long-lasting solution — harnessing the intelligence of your own body to restore healthy movement and reduce pain.

What to Expect Before, During, and After PRP Therapy

At Dr. Wafaa Matti’s clinic in Encinitas, your PRP treatment for tendonitis is more than just a procedure — it’s part of a thoughtful, whole-body healing process. From your initial consultation to post-treatment care, everything is designed to support your body’s innate ability to repair and regenerate naturally.

Initial Consultation

Before beginning PRP therapy, Dr. Wafaa takes time to understand your unique health picture. Your first visit includes a thorough:

• Health and injury history review
• Assessment of lifestyle and movement patterns
• Evaluation of current pain levels, mobility limitations, and overall inflammation

She’ll also determine whether you’re a good candidate for PRP or if other naturopathic or regenerative therapies would be more effective. In some cases, she may recommend a combination of PRP with anti-inflammatory nutrition, herbal therapies, or musculoskeletal referrals to support comprehensive healing.

The PRP Procedure

If PRP is right for you, the in-office procedure is typically completed within 30 to 60 minutes and involves three key steps:

1. Blood Draw: A small sample of your blood is drawn — similar to a routine lab test. This sample contains your platelets, plasma, and other healing factors.
2. Platelet Concentration: The blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins it rapidly to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the red and white blood cells. What’s left is a golden serum rich in growth factors and regenerative compounds.
3. Precision Injection: Using sterile technique (and in some cases, ultrasound guidance), Dr. Wafaa injects the PRP directly into the injured tendon. This targeted delivery ensures the platelets go exactly where they're needed most — to stimulate healing and rebuild damaged tissue.

Most patients report minimal discomfort, and the injection is often well-tolerated without the need for anesthetics or downtime.

Recovery Timeline

After your PRP session, you may experience mild soreness or tenderness at the injection site for a day or two — a normal sign that your body is beginning the healing process.

Over the next 4 to 8 weeks, you’ll notice gradual improvements in:

• Pain levels
• Range of motion
• Tendon strength and stability

Some patients see results sooner, while others benefit from a series of treatments spaced several weeks apart — especially in chronic or long-standing cases of tendonitis.

What makes PRP truly unique is that it initiates long-term tissue repair — your own platelets continue to work behind the scenes, rebuilding collagen and repairing microtears long after the injection is complete.

You’ll also receive personalized aftercare recommendations, which may include:

• Rest and modified movement for a few days
• Targeted stretches or mobility exercises
• Nutrition and supplement support to enhance tissue regeneration

Dr. Wafaa’s goal is not just to relieve your pain — but to help you move better, feel stronger, and prevent re-injury through whole-body healing.

Holistic Pain Relief in North County San Diego

Whether you’re an athlete recovering from a sports injury, a parent dealing with chronic elbow pain, or someone looking to stay active without relying on pain medications, Dr. Wafaa Matti provides compassionate, effective care tailored to your lifestyle.

Her clinic is based inside the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine, a respected hub for functional and naturopathic care in Southern California.

Patients love the peaceful, clinical environment and Dr. Wafaa’s ability to blend regenerative medicine with naturopathic principles — making each treatment a step toward not just pain relief, but whole-body renewal.

Don’t let tendon pain slow you down or push you toward unnecessary medications or surgery. Natural PRP therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive alternative that promotes lasting healing — using your body’s own biology.

Ready to start your healing journey? Book your consultation now and find out if PRP is right for you:

📍 Address:
324 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024
(Located inside the Stengler Center – by appointment only)

📞 Phone: 760-274-2377
🖱️ Online Contact Form / Booking: drwafaamatti.com/contact

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