Prolotherapy

What it is and how it can help you

Prolotherapy is a method of stimulating the body to heal itself. More specifically, it is a way to promote growth and hypertrophy of the tendons and ligaments to make them stronger. This is useful in conditions where the connective tissues, including ligaments, tendons and fascia are weak or stretched beyond the point where they can support and control normal joint movement. When these tissues are weak there is instability and often pain at the associated joints both in the spine as well as in the arms and legs. In their futile attempt to stabilize the joint, muscles in the area of the joint try to do the work of the ligaments thus leading to pain and spasm of the muscles.

The goal of prolotherapy is to strengthen the existing structures by causing proliferation of collagen, the substance of which ligaments and tendons are made. A dextrose containing solution (sugar water) is injected into the weakened structure (ligament, tendon or fascia) causing an " injury " to the tissue and subsequent healing response by the body. This healing response includes increased blood supply bringing in nutrients and helping heal this tissue. Macrophages are cells that clean up the debris caused by the dextrose. They then signal the fibrocytes to come into the area and lay down new collagen. As the collagen matures over a period of weeks and months it shortens and gets stronger, pulling the structures together and normalizing their movement.

It usually takes between 4 and 6 treatments at 2 to 3 week intervals to get optimum results although some people require 10 or more treatments depending on their healing ability. Each treatment should cause a few days of soreness, which indicates that the dextrose solution is of sufficient strength. Other proliferent solutions are available if a stronger response is desired.

Conditions that prolotherapy can help or cure include:

• Whiplash, degenerative disk disease of the neck, thoracic spine or low back
• Instability of the neck and back
• Chronic strain of the neck and back, knees, ankles, wrists, elbows and shoulders
• Osteoarthritis of neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, thumbs, fingers, hips, knees, ankles and toes
• Bursitis and tendonitis of any of the above mentioned areas, especially tennis elbow, rotator cuff strain, knee ligament strains, recurrent ankle sprains and plantar fasciitis
• Areas that require repeated chiropractic adjustments or repeatedly "go out"- these areas usually respond well in conjunction with adjustments to maintain alignment during healing from prolotherapy treatment.

Related Links

The following are links to various published papersand organizations of interest:

• Whitaker Wellness Institute Article - article on Prolotherapy
• American Association of Orthopedic Medicine