Popular Procedure For Athletes Now Available For Weekend Warriors

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by Kirk Hawkins, Photojournalist Chris Keimig

Story Created: Nov 25, 2012 at 6:50 PM EDT

Story Updated: Nov 26, 2012 at 8:15 AM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--Leonardo Soto plays tennis at Freedom Park when he isn't performing or rehearsing as a timpanist for the Charlotte Symphony."Gotta make sure I bring my A-game every time," said the Uptown Charlotte resident.

Soto said he would consider blood spinning. A procedure that would improve his performance on the court and in the Belk Theater,"Just like athletes we're constantly seeing Chiropractors and Massage Therapists to keep our hands and our shoulders in shape. Actually, it would be really great," he said.

After drawing blood from a patient, Doctor Glenn Gaston with the Ortho Carolina Hand Center says he spins the blood in a machine like this. After the healing cells of the platelet rich plasma rise to the top, he injects them back into the patient.  "The risks fortunately are very low. We're taking your own blood. Having your own blood injected into you. There's not a lot of risk to the patient," said Gaston.

Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Kobe Bryant and Hines Ward are just  some of the athletes rumored to have had this treatment.

Gaston was part of an F.D.A. study about blood spinning. He primarily uses the procedure as an alternative to surgery. Most patients he treats have problems with tennis elbow.

Back on the court, bragging rights are all that matter, "All the years of practice and performing that I've done and Leo's done and the other guys we play with in the orchestra...we bring that to the court," said Chantilly resident and Principal Charlotte Symphony Cellist Alan Black.

Blood spinning costs about 500 dollars. It is typically not covered by insurance. The procedure takes about 30 minutes.

 

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