ACP Therapy – Pain-Free Again Thanks to the Body’s Own Bioactive Agents
Innovative Treatment for Osteoarthritis, Sports Injuries, and Back Pain
ACP therapy, a treatment that uses the body's own conditioned blood plasma, represents a promising option for patients with osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or back pain. Autologous conditioned plasma therapy uses the body’s self-healing properties and is suitable for patients of all ages who are looking for a natural, well-tolerated method of pain relief.
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How Does ACP Therapy Work?
In ACP therapy, blood is taken from the patient in order to obtain and condition the body's own blood plasma with a high concentration of platelets. These platelets play an essential role in the healing process of injured or inflamed tissue: they release growth factors to rebuild injured tissue and at the same time inhibit painful inflammatory processes.
This conditioned platelet-rich plasma (= ACP) is injected directly into the affected area in the patient’s body. Only the body’s own substances are used in the treatment. Therefore, ACP therapy is an autologous blood therapy that is completely biologic and generally very well tolerated by patients of all ages: no short or longer-term risks or side effects have been reported.
What Does the Term ACP Therapy Mean?
ACP is short for “autologous conditioned plasma,” meaning the body’s own conditioned blood plasma. In medical terms, autologous means “from the same individual and biologic.” "Conditioned" in this context means “processed.” Plasma is a component of the blood with a high concentration of platelets, which have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect on injured tissue.
Which Conditions Is ACP Therapy Used For?
Osteoarthritis
Sports Injuries
Back Pain
There are 3 main areas where this type of autologous blood therapy can relieve pain, speed up the healing process, and encourage cell regeneration.
biologic and well-tolerated
The bioactive agents with ACP are biologic and fully tolerated because they come from the body itself
treatment
Treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes.
Patient Benefits and Drawbacks With ACP Therapy
Benefits
Rapid, Substantial Pain Relief:
Often just 1 week after the first treatment
Uncomplicated Outpatient Procedure:
ACP therapy is performed in the doctor's office, takes between 15 and 30 minutes, and is repeated 3 to 5 times at weekly intervals
Well-Tolerated:
Cortisone-free and with no known side effects, the treatment can be repeated as often as desired
Natural:
The bioactive agents with ACP are biologic and fully tolerated because they come from the body itself. The body's own self-healing properties are activated naturally.
Sterile:
Thanks to the unique way autologous blood is processed in the sterile and infection-protected system
Drawbacks
Costs:
Although private health insurance companies often cover the costs, patients with statutory insurance usually have to cover the cost of autologous blood therapy themselves
What Exactly Does the ACP Therapy Process Look Like?
Treatment Process
Treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes. The ACP therapy process in 3 steps:
Blood is taken from a vein.
Blood plasma is separated from the rest of the blood using a special centrifuge. This procedure concentrates the platelets contained in the blood.
Nothing is added to the plasma. The conditioned plasma is injected directly into the affected area oft he body.
The closed conditioning system ensures a sterile process, thus minimizing the risk of infection.
Blood taking
Centrifugation
ACP aspiration
Recommended Procedure Following ACP Treatment
Patients can return home straight after treatment.
Depending on the type and intensity of symptoms, 3 to 5 treatments are needed in 1-week intervals. ACP therapy is carried out at shorter intervals in acute injury. The effects are usually felt about 1 week after the first treatment. The full effect is achieved a few days after the last treatment.
Trust in the Body's Own Strength
How Much Does ACP Therapy Cost?
Exact costs for each treatment cycle of ACP therapy (3 to 5 applications) are agreed individually between the treating physicians and their patients. Services provided by statutory health insurance generally do not include ACP therapy. Private health insurance companies, on the other hand, often recognize the success of ACP therapy and reimburse the costs once treatment is complete.
ACP therapy can be an effective option for patients with osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or backpain who are looking for a natural, easy-to-perform and well-tolerated treatment.
Is ACP Therapy the Right Decision for Me?
If you suffer from pain due to osteoarthritis1-3, back problems4-9, or a sports injury and are looking for a natural, easy-to-use and well-tolerated treatment method, ACP therapy may be a good option for you. It represents an effective alternative to conservative methods such as painkillers and pharmacological infiltration treatments with corticosteroids, as well as to alternative treatment methods such as acupuncture. ACP therapy is part of a multimodal treatment in combination with other methods such as physical therapy.
Use Find a Doctor to find orthopedic or sports medicine specialists in your area to get personal, comprehensive advice on ACP therapy and other treatment options.
ACP Therapy Process FAQs
How much treatment is needed?
How quickly does the therapy work?