Age well · PRF Therapy
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) therapy.
Dr. Tammy’s Healing Art Centers in Lowell, Arkansas offers platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) from your own blood for joint and tendon concerns, urinary and bowel leakage, erectile dysfunction, gum repair, dry eye, wounds, burns, and scars. Suitability, delivery, risks, and evidence vary by use and require individual clinical evaluation.
What is PRF?
The second generation of platelet therapy.
PRF (platelet-rich fibrin) is made from your own blood. We draw a small sample, then separate the platelets and fibrin in a centrifuge. The platelets are full of growth factors and cell-stimulating proteins. The fibrin holds them in place at the injection site so they release slowly — over weeks, not minutes.
Those growth factors attract stem cells (which grow new cartilage and connective tissue) and fibroblasts (which produce collagen and elastin). There's also a quick anti-inflammatory effect and a slower increase in blood supply to the area.
"PRF actually builds new cartilage in joints and repairs tendinitis with new tissue, which pills and steroids can't do. It's true tissue regeneration."
Wound healing from within
Simple, effective & 100% natural.
Revolutionary healing technology using something that knows you best — your own blood. The Bio-PRF horizontal centrifugation system creates supra-physiological doses of naturally-derived growth factors to re-stimulate new blood flow and maximize regeneration at the cellular level.
- Fewer side effects than other treatment options
- Minimally invasive
- Speeds up and promotes healing
- Maximizes tissue regeneration
- Minimizes recovery time
- Reduces the chance of infection
- No chemical additives
- 100% autologous (from you)
How it works
Simple blood draw
A standard draw — just like routine lab work.
Horizontal centrifuge
Platelets are separated using Bio-PRF technology.
Platelet-rich layer
Blood separates into a concentrated PRF layer.
Returned to you
PRF is injected precisely where healing is needed.
The treatment of choice — no longer reserved for professional athletes and celebrities.
Why PRF, not cortisone?
Pain relief that heals, not just hides.
Steroid injections can relieve pain, but they don't fix the problem — and over time they can weaken joints and soft tissue.
Similar pain relief to cortisone
Without the long-term harm to your joints and soft tissue.
Longer-lasting results
Most patients see relief for a year or more — research backs this up.
True tissue regeneration
PRF reactivates dormant cells, recruits stem cells, and rebuilds cartilage and tendon.
100% your own biology
Drawn from your blood, prepared in office. No donor product; procedural risks still apply.
You don't have to live with pain
What conditions does PRF treat?
PRF injections work for a wide range of orthopedic concerns — from active adults wanting to stay on the course, to anyone with chronic joint or tendon pain.
- Arthritis (knees, hips, wrists, shoulders, feet)
- Tendinitis & bursitis
- Tennis elbow & golfer's elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff strain
- "Texting thumb" & hand pain from overuse
Lowell · Northwest Arkansas
What other PRF services do we offer?
PRF is not limited to joints and tendons. These are services reported by Dr. Tammy, not a claim that PRF is proven or appropriate for every condition. Many non-orthopedic applications remain investigational. Your consultation covers established alternatives, uncertainties, and a plan specific to your health history.
- Urinary incontinence (urine leakage)
- Our urinary-incontinence PRF procedure uses 4 injections around the outside of the urethra. A clinical evaluation determines the cause of leakage and whether PRF is appropriate; it is not a treatment for every type of incontinence.Learn about urinary incontinence (urine leakage) →
- Fecal incontinence (bowel leakage)
- We offer PRF consultations for fecal incontinence. Evaluation of bowel leakage comes first; the treatment approach, alternatives, and limited evidence are discussed individually.Learn about fecal incontinence (bowel leakage) →
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- We offer PRF injection treatment for erectile dysfunction after a sexual-health assessment. Platelet-based ED treatments remain investigational; studies of PRP or platelet-rich fibrin matrix do not establish the same results for every PRF preparation.Learn about erectile dysfunction (ed) →
- Gum repair and oral tissue healing
- We offer PRF for gum repair in the mouth. In periodontics, PRF is applied at selected treatment sites as an adjunct to tissue healing; it does not replace treatment of gum infection or necessary dental care. Your specific application is discussed during evaluation.Learn about gum repair and oral tissue healing →
- Dry eye
- We offer consultations about PRF for dry eye. Research on blood-derived eye drops uses plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF), not straight PRF; it does not validate an equivalent PRF protocol. The preparation and delivery method require individual review, with eye-specialist care when appropriate.Learn about dry eye →
- Wound healing and burns
- We offer PRF assessment for wound healing and burn recovery as an adjunct to appropriate wound care. The wound or burn must be evaluated first; PRF does not replace infection treatment, dressings, or urgent burn care.Learn about wound healing and burns →
- Scar healing and scar appearance
- We offer PRF for scar healing and scar-treatment consultations. PRF is used locally in scar care; scar type and healing stage guide the approach. Improvement varies, and complete scar removal is not promised.Learn about scar healing and scar appearance →
What should I know about PRF safety?
Using your own blood does not make a procedure risk-free. Blood draws and injections can cause pain, bruising, bleeding, and infection; other risks depend on the treatment site and delivery route. Ask about the exact preparation, clinician qualifications, expected benefits, limitations, and follow-up. New bowel or bladder loss with weakness, severe breathing difficulty, or a serious burn needs urgent medical assessment, not a PRF appointment.
Research and related care
Each service guide explains the approach, questions to discuss, and evidence limits. Research on PRP, PRGF, or platelet-rich fibrin matrix does not automatically apply to straight PRF.
- PubMed: platelet-rich fibrin matrix in urologic conditions
- PubMed: PRF and soft-tissue wound healing
- Sexual wellness care at Healing Art Centers
- About Dr. Tammy Tucker
Service information updated November 11, 2026.
Step by step
What to expect.
Before
Complimentary consultation
We review your health history and any prior X-rays or MRIs. PRF is not advised in replaced joints, but we have successfully treated joints described as 'bone on bone.'
Day of
Quick, in-office procedure
Come well-hydrated. We draw your blood, spin it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets and fibrin, then inject directly into the joint or tendon — often with ultrasound guidance for precision. Total time: 30–60 minutes.
After
Take it easy, then move
Smaller joints may ache for a few days. Most patients feel less pain and more range of motion within a few weeks. Best results come from a series of 3 injections.
A regenerative alternative for active adults
Stay active longer.
Whether you're struggling to get up without stiffness or wincing every time you grip a doorknob — from golf to pickleball to everyday movement, PRF can help you stay active longer.
Frequently asked
PRF, answered.
What is PRF?
Platelet-Rich Fibrin is made from your own blood. We separate the platelets and fibrin in a centrifuge — the platelets release growth factors that heal tissue, and the fibrin holds them in place at the injection site so they release slowly.
How is PRF different from PRP?
PRF is the second generation of PRP. The fibrin scaffold keeps platelets right where they're injected, releasing growth factors over time. Studies and our own experience show PRF works longer than PRP — so we've upgraded all our platelet treatments to PRF.
Why PRF instead of a cortisone shot?
Steroid injections relieve pain but don't fix the problem — and over time they can weaken joints and soft tissue. PRF gives similar pain relief, lasts longer, has different risks and limitations. Benefits are not guaranteed.
Will it hurt?
The injection feels very similar to a cortisone shot. We can numb the area topically if you'd like. PRF comes from your own blood, but the procedure and any anesthetic still carry risks.
How long until I feel better?
Most patients notice less pain and easier movement within a few weeks. About 25% of patients are 'non-responders.' For arthritis, results typically last 12 months or more.
Will I need more than one treatment?
Some patients with smaller injuries see resolution after one treatment. Most benefit from a series of 3 injections spaced over several weeks for the longest-lasting results.
Is PRF an alternative to joint replacement?
Sometimes. Many patients delay or avoid knee or hip replacements with PRF. About 25% of advanced osteoarthritis cases don't improve, but risks and alternatives must be reviewed before considering PRF — and for wrists, hands, shoulders, ankles, and feet, PRF can be especially helpful.
Move freely again.
Book a complimentary consultation to discuss your concern, available PRF options, evidence, risks, and alternatives.
Questions? Get in touch.
Our staff would love to help you choose the service that's right for you.
Prefer texting? You can text us at 479-715-3928.