Prolotherapy, also known as regenerative injection therapy or proliferation therapy, is an alternative therapy often used to help repair injuries to connective tissues and joints. The overall goal of prolotherapy is to use the body’s natural healing abilities to provide relief to troubled areas. In this blog, we will discuss how prolotherapy works, treatable conditions, as well if this treatment option is right for you.
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How Does Prolotherapy Work?
Prolotherapy involves injecting an irritant solution into the muscle or area that the injury has occurred. Most irritant solutions contain saline or dextrose (a.k.a. sugar) and lidocaine which acts as a numbing agent. Once the irritant is injected into the soft tissue of the injured area, the irritant will begin to stimulate the body’s natural healing response.
While prolotherapy is typically a “blind” procedure, at Cutting Edge Pain, we use an ultrasound machine to assist with finding the key problem areas in order to relieve the patient’s pain.
Treatable Conditions
Prolotherapy has been around since the early 1900s and has been successfully used to treat or ease pain in a wide range of areas:
- Joint pain and instability
- Back and neck pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon, muscle, and ligament issues
- Fibromyalgia
- Sprains and strains
Benefits
Prolotherapy is an alternative to surgery and provides all-natural, permanent results. Compared to NSAIDs and medications that only provide temporary relief, prolotherapy is used to provide lasting results. The therapy uses the body’s natural repairing response to strengthen joints and reduce pain which in turn stabilizes and improves overall movement and function of the joints.
Risks
Compared to other pain relief options and costly surgeries, prolotherapy has few side effects. Those who receive prolotherapy fluoroscopic, ultrasound-guided injections have reported temporary swelling or pain at the site of the injection as well as slight pain on the affected joint. In rare instances, the injection site could become infected but can be easily treated with antibiotics. While this therapy has been around since the early 1900s, it is still relatively new to the medical community.
Is Prolotherapy Right for You?
While prolotherapy can be used to treat or ease pain for a variety of conditions, this therapy is not for everyone. Individuals who experience pain in the knees, hips, shoulders, or other joints may receive relief when considering prolotherapy as an option. However, patients with chronic conditions may not see any effects from the therapy. Prolotherapy as a whole is considered to be a safe procedure with minimal risk for most individuals.
If you’re interested in learning more about pain relief options including prolotherapy, book an appointment online or by phone today. Dr. Landrum and the team at Cutting Edge Pain Centers are available to discuss your situation and determine the best care plan for you.
