This treatment is offered by Dr. Michael Mason-Wood, ND

The Benefits of Prolotherapy

Prolotherapy (or proliferative therapy) is also known as “nonsurgical ligament reconstruction.” We use this orthopedic injection procedure to treat chronic pain in the joints and connective tissue. It stimulates your body’s natural healing by enhancing the growth and healing of ligaments, tendons and cartilage in areas where there is weakness or excess scar tissue. Any joint in the body can be treated successfully with Prolotherapy regardless of when the injury occurred.

 

How Prolotherapy Works

Prolotherapy incorporates the use of a specifically formulated dextrose (sugar) solution injected into a ligament or tendon where it attaches to the bone. Your body’s initial reaction is to create inflammation, triggering its natural healing process by increasing the blood supply and flow of nutrients to the area. This stimulates the tissue to repair itself by deposition of collagen, the material that ligaments and tendons are made of.

The collagen then shrinks as it matures leading to ligament/tendon tightening and increased strength. The ligament and tendon tissue which forms as a result of Prolotherapy is thicker and stronger than normal tissue and can be up to 40% stronger in some cases. (claims)?

 

Common Prolotherapy Treatment Areas

Many areas of the body can benefit from Prolotherapy. Most commonly treated areas are:

How Many Treatments Are Necessary

Your body is unique, as is the injury or trauma you’re experiencing. All of which means that the response to treatment varies with each individual. Most of our patients require 3 to 6 treatments, while some may need 10 or more. Once we begin, you’ll help us assess your pain regression to determine the number of treatments. Children typically need less treatments as they tend to heal faster.

Wound strength studies show that it takes 6-12 months for maximum tensile strength to occur without Prolotherapy and even then the resultant wound has approximately 60% of the original strength. With a Prolotherapy session every 2 weeks, healing can occur in 1-2 months

 

The Prolotherapy Injection Solution

The basic Prolotherapy solution is 12.5% to 20% dextrose (sugar) with 1% procaine and lidocaine (both anesthetics). The solution is safe and has no effect on blood sugar levels. Other injectables may be added such as hyaluronic acid to aid in the regeneration of cartilage due to osteoarthritis or Vitamin B12 for nerve regeneration. Homeopathic remedies may also be added to help speed the healing process, these will vary depending on the type of injury.

 

When to Expect Results

Many of our patients experience measured improvement within just a few weeks of their first injection. Soreness and bruising at the injection site and temporary muscle stiffness are normal and may last for 1-2 days. Your body will continue to grow and repair connective tissue for up to six months after your final injection.

 

Allowing Your Body the Time to Heal

In order to align the new collagen correctly with the existing ligament tissues, it is very important for the structure to heal in the presence of movement. As such, gentle walking is recommended after treatments. However, we generally do not recommend major exercise or stress for 2 days after each injection. Typically, you can resume your normal activities after 10 days.

During this healing process, the use of over-the-counter anti-inflammatories is discouraged as these will defeat the purpose of the injections. You can, however, apply hot compresses over the affected area or use Tylenol if the pain is too severe.

 

Prolotherapy Costs

Ready to Heal?