Regenerative Medicine at UPC · Riverside & Menifee, CA
PRP for Facet Joint Pain in Riverside & Menifee
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your own blood, considered for arthritic low back and neck facet joints — the small joints behind the spine that ache with standing, twisting or leaning back — without jumping straight to surgery.
Medically reviewed by Rainier Guiang, MD · Board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management (ABA)
Is PRP Right for Your Facet Joints?
If low back or neck pain gets worse when you stand, twist, or lean back, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one option we use to support joint comfort and function — without jumping straight to surgery.
At Regenerative Medicine at UPC, Dr. Rainier Guiang, MD evaluates whether PRP is a good fit for your facet joint and goals in a focused cash-pay consult.
Who This Is For
PRP for Facet Joints is most often considered for:
Facet joint arthritis
Achy low back or neck pain from wear-and-tear in the small spine joints.
Persistent back or neck pain
Pain that continues after PT, medications or cortisone.
Pain that returned after nerve ablation
Considered when relief from prior procedures has faded.Prior diagnostic block results help guide the plan.
Hoping to avoid or delay spine surgery
Results vary; not a guarantee.
Active adults
Who want a non-opioid, procedure-based option.
Want a candid answer
A focused cash-pay consult with Dr. Guiang on whether PRP fits your facet joint and goals.
Who May Not Be a Good Candidate
PRP may not be right if you haveWe’ll tell you if that’s you
- Severe spinal stenosis, instability or a condition that needs a surgical opinion
- Active infection or certain blood disorders
- Unrealistic expectation of a permanent “cure” from one injection
- New weakness, numbness, or bowel or bladder changes Urgent evaluation Surgical opinion
Why patients choose UPC
A physician-led, straight-talking approach:
What PRP Is
PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own platelets, prepared from a blood draw, and injected into the facet joint under appropriate guidance.
Small blood draw
A sample of your own blood is drawn at your procedure visit.
Platelets concentrated
Your blood is processed with the EmCyte PurePRP® system to concentrate the platelets.
Injected into the facet joint
Platelets release growth factors that can support the local healing environment. Results vary.
PRP vs Cortisone for Facet Joints
Cortisone
- Can calm a flare quickly for some people
- Relief is often shorter-lived
- Repeated steroids may not be ideal for joints or bone health over time
PRP
- Uses your own platelets — not a steroid
- Chosen more often when the goal is longer-term comfort and function
- Results vary by person and severity
How Long Does PRP Last?
Study results vary by protocol and severity. Many patients who respond notice meaningful change over weeks, with benefit that can last months — Many patients who respond notice gradual change over weeks, with benefit that can last months — published data for facet PRP is still developing, so we set expectations case by case.
*Results vary.
Get a straight answer for your facet joint
Focused, cash-pay consult with Dr. Guiang.
What to Expect
Consult
History, exam, imaging review if available, candid recommendation.
Cash-pay · call for pricingProcedure visit
Blood draw, processing, facet joint injection.
Aftercare
Activity pacing; avoid anti-inflammatories if we ask you to; follow-up plan.
Meet Dr. Rainier Guiang, MD
Rainier Guiang, MD
Director of Regenerative Medicine · University Pain Consultants
Dr. Guiang is board-certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management (ABA) and leads the Regenerative Medicine program at University Pain Consultants. He evaluates whether PRP is a good fit for your facet joint and goals, and he’ll be direct if it’s unlikely to help.
Locations
Riverside and Menifee, CA — Regenerative Medicine at UPC (University Pain Consultants campus). Regen line: 951-900-3253.
PRP for the Facet Joints — FAQ
Is this the same as the insurance pain clinic?
No. Regenerative Medicine at UPC is our cash-pay regenerative department. Traditional insurance-based pain care is separate (University Pain Consultants main line: 951-784-7111).
How is a facet joint diagnosed?
Through your history, exam and imaging, and sometimes a diagnostic block. Dr. Guiang reviews this at your consult.
Is facet PRP physician-performed?
Yes. Facet PRP injections are physician-performed under appropriate image guidance after an evaluation with Dr. Guiang.
How is PRP different from radiofrequency ablation?
Ablation interrupts the pain signal from the joint nerves. PRP is an injection of your own concentrated platelets into the joint. We’ll talk through which option, if either, fits you. Results vary.
How much does facet PRP cost?
PRP is elective and cash-pay. Call 951-900-3253 for pricing; superbill available on request.
